Four Tips For Improving Employer-Employee Relationships Through Technology

by Sam Bahreini

The employer-employee relationship is vital not only to retaining talent, but also growing your company. This is why many organizations are investing in building this connection. And it all starts with trust. As the 2016 Employee Job Satisfaction and Engagement Report from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found, 55 percent of the nearly 600 employees surveyed said trust between employees and management is very important to their job satisfaction.

When employees trust and respect their employer, they are happier, more engaged and work harder. If they don’t — which is far too common — they may be looking to jump ship. So where does that leave management?

It’s time to invest in technology solutions that can help employers improve their relationship with their staff. Technology helps facilitate trust throughout the organization by connecting employees at all levels. It creates a culture of open communication and transparency that gives employees a voice and allows leadership the opportunity to train and empower their staff in a fast and convenient way.

Here’s how you need to use technology to improve your employer-employee relationship:

Track Goals With Performance Analytics

People analytics is booming right now because it allows you to accurately track and measure your employee’s performance and see real-time results. And performance data can be used in several different ways. For example, you can easily share progress reports to anyone at any time.

Let’s say sales are underperforming during a massive new product launch: Management can share these real-time reports with their sales representatives and look at what products need to be promoted more. This could influence better product positioning and rep behavior in real-time instead of waiting for reports the next day.

Use these reports to collaborate with employees to set goals. Present them with performance data to show them where best practices can be applied to improve their sales and help them better manage day-to-day activities. When employees see their managers invest in helping them improve their performance, they are more likely to trust and respect them.

Communicate Better Via Video

Employees want more input from their managers. In fact, Zenger Folkman’s 2014 Feedback: The Powerful Paradox study of 2,700 employers and employees found that 72% of employees thought their performance would improve if managers provided corrective feedback.

Communication tools like video platforms enable employers to build a more confident staff. Instead of leaving a sales rep guessing on how to properly manage tasks like cleaning a sales floor area or assembling promotional displays, they are empowered with detailed instructions from a higher level manager.

Video technology connects people visually, making it easier for the trainer to demonstrate how to perform certain activities and for the trainee to see how things are done. Connecting higher-ups with low-level staff via video is especially helpful when there are issues in the store. Managers can see results without having to visit multiple locations.

When equipped with these tools, managers are more likely to provide the ongoing, constructive feedback employees deserve. This will improve performance because employees will feel more confident in making decisions, which helps them meet expectations. In turn, employees will begin to be recognized more for their successes and feel more engaged and motivated when the leadership they trust and respect acknowledges their hard work.

Provide Training On Demand In The Cloud

Cloud-based services have given employers the ability to equip their staff with on-demand training materials, like job descriptions, process documents and interactive web-based training activities. Employees can now learn at their own pace and stay informed on updated corporate policies and any changing initiatives. This is especially helpful in ensuring compliance across the organization.

But how can they stay in the loop when they don’t know how to get the training materials? Make it easy for them. Show them the basics of accessing the internal web portal so they can find these employee development solutions.

Teach them to be resourceful and more accountable for their own performance. Empower with information; don’t dictate with orders. Employees trust and respect leaders who help them become more independent.

Additionally, you need to make sure the messaging is consistent across the board. Explain to middle management how to leverage technology to guide their employees effectively. If employees see the entire company empowering all levels of the staff, they will be more engaged in their own development and motivated to reach their utmost potential.

Prioritize With Digital Checklists

Paper lists are outdated, and not to mention, wasteful. Equip your staff with digital checklists so they succeed in meeting initiatives and company standards.

Besides saving paper, digital checklists are better because they can be modified and updated in real time. That means you can instantly prioritize task lists for your employees. They appreciate this because it helps them see the big picture and identify what is absolutely necessary, and what can be completed later in the day.

Companies need to shift focus on creating trust and respect to retain top talent and to ensure large-scale growth. When employees feel like they are set up for success, they trust their employer and will go to great lengths to achieve their goals.

How are you leveraging technology to improve the employer-employee relationship?

Original source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2017/08/23/four-tips-for-improving-employer-employee-relationships-through-technology/#42587bfb6f01