Why a mobile app has to be part of your employee communications strategy

Regardless of how COVID-19 has affected your organization, there is a pressing need to revisit your internal communication strategy. This process may include investing in a mobile app, one of the most effective internal communication channels.

During the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in mobile device usage. Whether participating in work conference calls, chatting with co-workers, or using social media, employees are relying more and more on mobile devices to engage with each other.

While mobile device usage proliferates, a recent Poppulo poll discovered some shocking results—only 12% of companies currently have a mobile app.

Here are some of the top reasons, as supported by a use case from Megan Ferrell of Valley Health, on why creating an employee mobile app can enhance an organization’s internal communications strategy and boost employee engagement.

1. Your team uses mobile devices

It doesn’t take much to see how big of a role mobile devices play in the workforce. Stats show that 94% of workers have a smartphone, 70% of employees keep their phones within eye contact at work, and 91% of corporate employees are using at least one mobile app.

Not to mention, 71% of employees spend over two hours a day accessing company information on a mobile device. This robust daily use of mobile devices provides the perfect setting for introducing a mobile app to your workforce and expecting success.

Valley Health is the perfect example. Valley Health launched its employee mobile app shortly before the pandemic and saw remarkable results. The app immediately improved internal communications, and employees showed unexpected enthusiasm for the new tool with impressive early adoption rates.

Valley Health had a six-month goal of capturing 1,000 new app adopters out of 6,000 employees. Through a series of six in-person download events, in just two months (January and February), Valley Health quickly met and exceeded that goal.

2. Not everyone is working from a desk

Workers at home or in the office have quick and easy access to email communications throughout the day, making it easy to stay in the loop. But, what about employees that are on the front-lines and rarely have access to a laptop?

Valley Health has always had a helpful and strategic email communication strategy, but they noticed a large portion of their workforce, specifically the caregivers on the ground, didn’t have the time or the opportunity to check email. As a result, caregivers were missing out on critical updates.

Since Valley Health launched its mobile app, everyone can now get updates while on-the-go. Features like push notifications provide instant updates to everyone on the team, no matter their geographical location.

3. Email inboxes are jam-packed

Email remains an integral way to keep teams updated. However, there are drawbacks to relying solely on email as your primary internal communication tool.

Email inboxes are packed full of messages, making it difficult for employees to locate critical updates. Additionally, when employees don’t have the opportunity to check email regularly, updates quickly become old news.

As Valley Health added an employee mobile app to its email strategy, it solved all of these problems. Employees now have a more direct line of communication, and they don’t have to sift through hundreds of emails to find updates.

4. Mobile apps are uniquely interactive

Communication isn’t a one-way street. It’s an interactive process that involves absorbing messages, asking questions, getting answers, and conversing with others.

With a mobile app, employees can do more than read messages. They can watch essential video updates on-the-go. They can start conversations via email and through various social features. Employees can also respond to updates with likes, star ratings, and comments—actions that show evidence of engagement.

Just like Valley Health experienced, as you adopt a mobile app, your organization can more easily communicate critical updates, collaborate more effectively, and provide a unique space for your employees to engage.