Over the last decade, brands like Netflix, Apple and Uber shifted our consumer expectations from transactional and utilitarian to experiential and participatory. Now, this expectation shift is transforming the workplace, reshaping how companies think about employee engagement.
The Leesman Index calls this change the workplace experience revolution (EwX). According to its research, companies where employees report the highest levels of productivity and employer pride are also companies that deliver a “superbly supportive, immersive and pleasurable experience” for their employees.
At Lucas Group, we call this the “employee experience revolution,” and we’ve seen this shift reflected in how top talent prioritizes companies and work environments. Our clients with the most engaged employees — and the most satisfied new hires — are those that offer experiential environments. Here, employees are active participants who develop meaningful connections with their co-workers and a strong sense of employer pride and loyalty. These connections are essential to driving productivity, innovation and business success.
From Engagement To Experience: Five Strategies For Making The Shift
To achieve true employee engagement, companies must go beyond merely providing a functional, efficient workplace with sporadic employee appreciation events. The entire ecosystem — from the break room coffee machine to new hire onboarding to mentoring programs — needs to deliver an exceptional experience. Here’s how to help your company begin making this shift.
1. Show, don’t tell. What message is your workplace sending to employees? Use your workplace to reinforce company values and set the tone for the employee experience. For example, every one of our offices is painted the same colors, with similar feature walls and open layouts, so that when employees from one branch walk into another, they immediately feel like they’re at home. The open design reflects our open culture; managers sit side by side with their teams, rather than siloing leadership away in private offices.
2. Rethink employee onboarding. The first day at a new job sets the tone for an employee’s entire experience. Yet too often companies default to ad hoc processes that lead to a disjointed or awkward day. To ensure every employee has a positive experience, create a purposeful program. From thoughtful desk setup to personal meet-and-greets, standardize a consistent onboarding process that guides new hires through their first day, first month and first year.
3. Eliminate friction. Consider which pain points may be an overlooked source of frustration in your employees’ days. Is there a video conferencing system that never works? A broken coffee machine? These are seemingly benign annoyances, but as daily touch points in the lives of your workforce, they’re ones your company can’t afford to ignore. Small investments in technology upgrades or workplace infrastructure can significantly improve the overall employee experience.
4. Invest in professional development. From mentoring to skill training, providing employees with meaningful growth opportunities signals that you are invested in their professional success. Consider offering a variety of development opportunities so employees can select the best option for their needs. Doing so not only demonstrates your commitment to their success, but also empowers employees with autonomy and flexibility, helping them to feel in control of their future.
5. Connect the dots. One of the most powerful drivers for improving employee experience is purpose — and it’s also one of the more complex to address. Personal passions and preferences play a major role; what excites one employee may do little for another. Focus instead on leading with “why” and “how.” Why is a project important? How does it fit into your company’s bigger mission? By connecting the dots for your employees, you can help them see how even small assignments contribute to the bigger picture. This gives their work a new sense of meaning and purpose, helping them feel more connected to their co-workers and the company.
Employee experience encompasses every touch point in the employee life cycle. While this can feel like an overwhelming shift at first, by focusing on a few key points — the first day, the workplace environment, professional development opportunities — your company can lay the groundwork for a truly exceptional employee experience.
