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How digital tools can help managers strike the right balance.

The world of work has experienced a monumental shift in recent years, with digital collaboration tools becoming an integral part of the modern workforce.

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Posted by: Sean Daley

It's hard to overstate just how much these tools have become a part of our daily work lives: in fact, a survey by Gartner revealed that their use has surged by a jaw-dropping 44% since 2019 - and it's clear that the pandemic has played a major role in driving this trend.

In today's fast-paced work environment, employees yearn for communication that is both efficient and effective. The surge in the usage of digital collaboration tools is a clear indication of this. In fact, the statistics are staggering - with almost 80% of workers relying on these tools for work-related communication in 2021. This is proof that they are providing an invaluable solution to the challenges posed by remote work and the need for seamless collaboration across teams.

Communication in the modern workplace has taken a cue from the captivating format of social media and other digital tools. It's all about delivering the right message, to the right people, at the right time, in a visually pleasing and easily digestible manner.

This concise and personalized approach has become a game-changer, ensuring that essential updates and information don't get lost in the shuffle of daily work tasks. With an ever-growing reliance on digital tools, this approach effectively cuts through the noise and keeps teams informed and engaged.

This format offers numerous benefits, both for managers and the team they manage. Smaller, bite-sized chunks of information can be easily absorbed, maximizing the impact of each update.

However, if used improperly, these digital tools can cause the same problem that came before – namely, update fatigue, where recipients are bombarded with excess messages, causing them to become disinterested and lose focus.

To be effective, managers must strike a balance between keeping team members engaged and informed without overwhelming them. Thankfully, there are effective ways to do just that.

Boost Employee Engagement with Digital Tools

If you're looking to boost employee engagement and drive success as a manager, effective communication is crucial. But here's the catch - bombarding your team with lengthy messages might not be the best way forward. So, what's the solution? Smaller updates with a variety of media formats tailored to each team member's preferences.

The beauty of this approach lies in its ability to keep employees engaged and informed. With digital tools at your disposal, you can curate content that resonates with specific individuals or teams. Say goodbye to disengagement and hello to dynamic, exciting messages that keep your team on their toes.

With the help of advanced communication platforms like OurPeople, you're able to identify which team members haven't engaged with critical content. This means that instead of sending the same follow-up message to everyone, you can focus on connecting with those specific individuals and ensuring they receive the support they need.

This personalised approach not only fosters stronger team collaboration but also drives overall productivity, helping your team thrive.

The Benefits of Effective Communication in The Workplace

In the fast-paced world of work, information overload is a common problem that can lead to update fatigue, where important messages get lost in the noise. Effective communication is essential to combat this, going beyond just sharing information to ensuring that recipients understand and take action where needed.

Even when managers take great care in tailoring updates to specific teams or individuals, an overwhelming deluge of information can still cause communication to fall flat. The challenge isn't limited to just the communication platform - it also extends to the entire workplace, where ensuring employees are actually absorbing and acting on updates is key. Without proper engagement, updates and directives risk getting lost in the shuffle, resulting in decreased productivity and an unproductive cycle of message fatigue.

To overcome these issues and ensure that important messages are being received and acted upon, it's crucial to provide content that's tailored to each individual's needs and schedule. By doing so, communication becomes more efficient, comprehension is improved, and staff can take swift, effective action. In turn, this approach enhances overall communication effectiveness and helps avoid disengagement caused by constant updates.

Why Effective Communication is Vital in the Workplace?

However, you need to understand why communication is important to the workplace to ensure the messages and updates you send must be delivered.

Effective communication is the lifeline of any successful workplace. While keeping your staff and teams in the loop is essential, listening to their feedback and insights is equally important. Remember, communication is a two-way street. As you reach out to your team and colleagues, they'll do the same with you - and one another. While collaboration is essential, you run the risk of employees talking more than actually doing the work you want them to.

How to Improve Communication in the Workplace to Better Include Hybrid Teams

Want to improve communication in the workplace, especially with hybrid teams? It's not about bombarding your team with constant updates or going radio silent. It's about finding the right balance and using effective tools to deliver the right message at the right time.

To achieve this, consider setting specific update times to avoid overloading your team with unnecessary messages. But don't skimp on important updates either - finding that sweet spot between a one-liner and an essay is key.

One tool that can help is OurPeople - it's user-friendly and accessible on any device, making it easier to manage workplace communication. But keep in mind that multiple messages in a short period can still be a distraction, so finding a balance is crucial.

Also, don't forget to check in with your team. This not only shows you care about their well-being but also encourages engagement. Remember, effective communication goes beyond work-related matters.

A Personalised Approach to Workplace Communication

Imagine having all the information you need right at your fingertips without having to dig through a bunch of emails or ask around for answers. That's the power of a centralised database in the workplace! It can save time, cut down on confusion, and help you stay on top of important company policies and training.

But it's not just about having a database - it's about making it user-friendly and personalised for each employee. When you can easily access the information you need, you're more likely to feel connected to the company's mission and goals.

Plus, this approach to internal communications helps avoid the dreaded notification overload. With a streamlined system in place, teams can stay focused on what matters and avoid wasting time on redundant messages. It's a win-win for everyone involved!

How Digital Tools Can Help Combat Update Fatigue

When it comes to workplace communication, one size definitely doesn't fit all. To keep your staff and teams engaged, it's important to tailor your messages and updates to their preferences and needs. With digital tools at your disposal, you can deliver targeted information that will make everyone feel connected and in the loop.

Whether you have teams spread across different locations or a mix of in-person and remote workers, you can use technology to combat update fatigue.

OurPeople is a powerful platform that lets you store all your resources in one place and give each user access to the information that's relevant to them. So why wait? Contact us today to learn more about our features and how we can help your business succeed.

Looking to take your team's communication to the next level? OurPeople can help you strike the right balance between keeping your team engaged and informed without overwhelming them.

Get a demo now to experience the benefits of our powerful platform and take your team collaboration to the next level.