A decade ago, inquiring about the main concerns of employers wouldn’t have yielded “employee experience” (EX) as a top priority. However, in recent times, the employee experience movement has gained momentum, with employers analyzing every component of the employee experience- starting from the initial attraction phase to the final exit.
Employers need to recognize that their employees crave more than just the standard perks like snacks and futsal tables. They value intangible qualities such as balance, trust, fairness, and respect. In the current job market, employees can be selective and choose to work only for companies that prioritize these factors.
Are you wondering if your business is one of them? In the upcoming sections, we will guide you on why is EX so important and how to enhance the employee experience. To begin with, it is important to define the term “employee experience.”
Employee Experience
The employee experience refers to how an employee interacts with people, different processes, rules, regulations, and the physical and virtual workspace. This includes the small details of daily work and the occasional events and transitions. In other words, it’s an employee’s journey from the first screening to the exit interview.
It is important to note that employee experience is subjective and encompasses the overall impact of the job and the organization on the individual. This includes how employees feel, perceive their potential and abilities, and the effect on their well-being.
Who Is Responsible For Providing A Good Employee Experience?
In my experience working with and researching various organizations, HR typically takes charge of the employee experience. However, it’s important to note that creating a positive employee experience is not solely the responsibility of HR. It’s comparable to a soccer game, where the goalie is responsible for stopping the ball from going into the net, but the entire team must work together to prevent the opposing team from scoring. Similarly, although HR is tasked with being the employee experience leader, everyone in the organization plays a role in creating a positive experience. Various approaches can be taken, and there is no definitive solution.
Importance Of Employee Experience
Although we are aware of how important the employee experience is, it may need to be more evident how important it is at each stage of the employee lifecycle. Let’s list the major points of contact that emphasize the significance of the employee experience.
Recruiting
A good employer brand may draw in top talent. Your company culture and employer brand are being strengthened simultaneously by investing in the employee experience, from the first assessment call to the exit interview.
Retention
Keeping employees happy and engaged is crucial for organizations to reduce the cost of employee turnover, which can be as high as one trillion dollars in the US alone. Our research shows that thriving employees are likelier to remain committed to their organization.
Employee Engagement
Improving the employee experience can lead to more engaged employees and increased productivity.
Customer Contentment
Ensuring employee satisfaction can have a direct impact on customer satisfaction. Happier employees often lead to a better customer experience. By improving your employee experience program, you may notice an increase in overall customer satisfaction.
Your Goals To Provide A Good Employee Experience
Are you wondering what goals to set for your employee experience? There are three critical objectives: creating a work environment that benefits both employees and the company, boosting overall productivity, and increasing employee retention rates.
The Benefits Of These Are
Positive Work Environment
The employee experience can be greatly affected by even the smallest details, like having ethically sourced coffee, a modern computer, or the option for flexible work hours. Creating a work environment that considers these factors can help employees feel positive about their work, leading to increased motivation, engagement, and productivity.
Achieving Higher Employee Retention
To prevent employees from leaving, it is important to prioritize personnel development, feedback, and workplace culture as part of their overall experience within the company. Doing so can counteract the common trend of high turnover rates.
Heightened Engagement
One of the benefits of employee experience is increased engagement. When employees feel emotionally connected to their jobs, they are more willing to go above and beyond and actively promote your company’s brand.
Enhanced Innovation
Innovation thrives on the foundation of freedom and trust, considering that exploring uncharted territory often necessitates taking chances and making mistakes. When employees have a positive work experience, they feel confident and trust their colleagues, creating an ideal environment for innovation.
Provide Extraordinary Employee Experiences
Creating a top-notch employee experience is not only attainable, but it can also provide a significant advantage over competitors. By providing leaders with the tools to effectively acknowledge and appreciate the everyday contributions of their team members, organizations can foster a culture of contentment and improved performance. Investing in engaged employees will ultimately lead to better business outcomes and overall success. Recognizing every employee’s value, regardless of tenure, and prioritizing their experience within the organization is important. By doing so, companies can reap the rewards of a happier, more productive workforce.
Key Steps To Design An Employee Experience Strategy
Are you ready to start designing your EX strategy? If you’re ready to begin, these five steps can guide you through the process.
- Feedback:
To start improving your workplace, asking your employees for feedback is important. Determining your starting point is crucial and this will be beneficial in achieving your goals.
- Incorporate Employee Experience Into Your Company Culture:
Integrate employee experience into your company culture. Identify where it’s present and incorporate it into all aspects of your culture.
- Identify Your Trouble Spots:
Evaluate your employee experience and pinpoint the areas for improvement. Prioritize high-impact areas and create a strategy for success.
- Provide EX To Every Employee’s Person
Customize your employee experience to meet the unique needs of each employee. Foster a sense of belonging for all members of your workforce. Avoid assuming that one approach fits everyone.
- Make Every Moment Memorable
It was easy to overlook important moments during the pandemic, but you significantly impact your employees’ overall experience as a manager. Listening to feedback and creating meaningful experiences can help your employees feel a sense of belonging, purpose, and impact. Let’s focus on creating moments that matter.
