19 December 2007
Employers sweet-talked into social networking in 2008
Experts predict mass new technology take up and improvements.
In 2008 companies will focus on upgrading and integrating their HR technology in an effort to better engage employees, suggests global business consultancy, Watson Wyatt Worldwide, this week.
Following in the footsteps of consumers
Among likely trends are the increased adoption of advanced web 2.0 solutions, such as wikis, blogs and social networking, and a focus on making HR technology easier for employees to use.
Web 2.0 solutions could make work communication a more dynamic experience for employees.
With the rapid growth of consumer-oriented web 2.0 applications, organizations are considering increasingly interactive strategies and technologies.
While many corporations are using web 2.0 elements such as blogs and wikis, organizations are just beginning to implement other elements of social networking.
Companies need new comms solutions
All of these systems could reduce the focus on traditional e-mail and make work communication a more dynamic experience for employees.
“Managing a workforce is increasingly complex, and employers are searching for the right solutions to help them address this challenge,” said Richard Hubbard, director of Watson Wyatt’s North American technology and administration solutions practice.
Do the background work
Companies are exploring the best way to leverage their investments and improve employee service and satisfaction. Many are incorporating HR technologies that feature decision support tools and online content in addition to improved usability and self-service for employees – tools that reduce administrative costs while boosting employee engagement.
The solutions will not be successful if companies don’t lay the proper groundwork for implementing them.
“While many of these technology solutions hold great promise in engaging employees, they will not be successful if companies don’t lay the proper groundwork for implementing them,” Hubbard said.
Have your say
Are you having trouble encouraging the take up of social networking tools at your organization, despite some of your workforce calling for these tools to find a home in the workplace? Discuss this with your communication peers on the Internal Comms Hub members' group on the Communicators' Network.
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