Unleashing the employee voice

‘People first’ organisations. Along with ‘digital first’ it’s a strategy and phrase we hear again and again. From start-ups, to retailers, to tech companies and agencies, it is lauded as a way to create an environment that engenders happy people and ergo happier productivity figures. But what if putting your employees first in terms of your brand communications, in particular your social promotion, could unlock even more productivity?

Unleashing your employee voice on social can be daunting. But leading brands are doing just that – putting their employees in front of their logos, to bring a new level of authenticity, credibility and trust to their brand story. We’re not meaning the c-suite, either. We mean regular employees. Because research shows credibility is much higher with them than with communications from the CEO, MD or other senior execs.

According to the McKinsey Global Institute, “Productivity improves by 20-25% in organisations with socially connected employees.” And because employees know your business inside out, they can be more switched on and on-message social brand ambassadors than any celeb or sports star – not to mention believable and costefficient. Really, your everyday employees are a social marketing and promotional goldmine. Expect to see brands unleash their employees as their best salespeople in 2019.