Fatima Zaidi is the Founder & CEO of Quill Inc., an award-winning production agency and CoHost, a podcast growth and analytics tool.
It’s clear that not everyone takes the time to read company-wide emails. Forbes reported that nearly three-quarters of employees don’t even open them, signaling that organizations need to do better in engaging their employees.
With a growing focus on workplace culture, employee engagement has become a critical factor in organizational success. Yet, the statistics paint a sobering picture, with some reports finding that up to 62% of employees are not engaged in their jobs. This disengagement crisis is not just a human resources issue; it’s a bottom-line problem that demands innovative solutions.
One unique approach to engaging with employees is the use of corporate podcasts. This method leverages the power of storytelling and digital media.
From my experience as the founder and CEO of a production agency specializing in corporate audio, which includes a podcast growth and analytics tool, I have seen how podcasts can create a sense of community and shared purpose within organizations.
Shared Experiences Through Internal Podcasts
While podcasts are typically known as one of people’s favorite mediums for entertainment and personal growth, they also have benefits for organizations looking to foster collaboration and engagement among their teams.
Creating an internal podcast exclusively for employees allows companies to delve deeper into organizational specifics and cultivate a unique sense of culture.
These podcasts can share perspectives and stories from within the organization, celebrate big wins and disseminate important news, ultimately fostering a special connection between employees. This is similar to how people connect with others by consuming and enjoying the same TV shows, movies and music.
Create Content Employees Are Proud Of
The key to a successful corporate podcast lies in creating content that employees genuinely want to consume and share. When developing each episode, leaders should ask themselves a simple question: “Would I listen to this?” This approach ensures that the podcast reinforces the company’s core values and mission in a way that resonates with employees.
The best way to engage employees is to have them lead the content as subject matter experts or storytellers. This not only gives employees a platform to share their expertise but also allows colleagues to learn more about each other’s experiences and perspectives.
Therefore, to truly engage employees, it’s crucial to create content that they find valuable and be able to draw lasting key learnings from. By allowing employees to influence the podcast’s content, companies can ensure that it addresses topics they’re genuinely interested in, such as industry trends, company growth and professional development opportunities.
Other Strategies For Content
Consider exploring cross-departmental collaborations or even personal success stories within the organization, exploring topics like career growth and transitions and client success stories as well as diving into industry insights. Incorporate interactive elements such as Q&A segments with an expert from the team or employee-submitted questions to foster a sense of involvement and ownership.
Consistency is another critical factor. Set a regular publishing schedule and ensure each episode is concise and well-structured, balancing informative content with engaging storytelling. I find it’s best practice to publish at least one episode weekly.
Additionally, leaders should invest in quality production to enhance the listening experience, as poor audio can quickly disengage listeners. I believe purchasing professional-grade recording equipment is a solid investment for podcast producers, particularly good microphones and headphones that can help ensure clean and clear audio.
Invest In Employee Engagement
Leaders must recognize that employee engagement is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a business imperative. By investing in innovative engagement strategies, companies can create a culture where employees feel valued, connected and motivated to contribute their best work.
The statistics are clear: Engaged employees drive business success. Companies with engaged employees outperform their counterparts by an astounding 202%. Furthermore, highly engaged teams demonstrate 21% greater profitability. These figures underscore the urgent need for businesses to prioritize employee engagement strategies.
I think it’s time for organizations to focus on cultivating a corporate culture that inspires, informs and engages. In doing so, you can improve your bottom line and create a more fulfilling work environment for their most valuable asset: your people.
Leveraging innovative tools like podcasts is just one way to help build a strong, cohesive culture. The question is not whether your organization can afford to invest in such initiatives, but rather, can it afford not to?
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Read the full article here
