A recent McKinsey study found that up to 55% of employee engagement is driven by non-financial recognition. In other words: If you want motivated employees who are committed to your company, it's not enough to give them a paycheck every month (even with a hefty year-end bonus).
According to the study, an enriching work environment is the result of several non-financial factors, such as personal relationships, feeling valued, and a sense of purpose for the work being done. The study lists several actions an organization can take to create this type of work environment: Managers can prioritize face-to-face interactions over transactional ones, for example, by taking the time to find out what matters most to their teams and by giving employees opportunities to get to know each other casually.
These steps go to the heart of what is known as community building in an organization. Communities foster employee loyalty by making work more fun, creating a sense of belonging, giving employees room for personal growth and connecting them across teams and departments. For managers, communities can help strengthen cohesion between their teams, better understand the day-to-day experiences of their employees and break down information silos.
Communities in the workplace can take many different forms. Some can be professional forums where professionals come together for research and learning purposes, while others can be focused on leisure activities such as sports and shared interests. So-called marketplace communities are also popular, where employees come together to swap goods and exchange special offers while socializing. Other types of communities may be particularly relevant to your specific business and the regions in which you operate.
While this type of interaction may seem informal, it goes a long way towards making employees feel connected, valued and heard - and consequently engaged. In a previous blog post, we discussed the many benefits of employee engagement, which not only impact company culture, but also your revenue and profits.
Integrated intranet platforms like ahead can be effective tools for building workplace communities. They allow colleagues to connect and communicate across departments and countries through a single channel, creating a dynamic environment that enhances the employee experience at all levels.
