The Six Pillars of the Employee Experience

03.29.22

By Jon Paul Potts, SVP, Strategic Solutions

The Six Pillars of the Employee Experience

Values. Training. Recognition. Communications. Vision. Culture.

The employee lifecycle can be short, or it can last a whole career. It can end amicably, or it can end in a layoff. No matter the industry, workers everywhere are constantly cycling in and cycling out. But more than ever in the Age of COVID and “The Great Resignation,” your employees and recruits are now driving the cycle, and deciding when and how they engage with your brand as an employer of choice.

At InVision Communications, we understand the complete employee lifecycle, which is the underpinning of the employee experience. We also know that the employee experience can succeed or suffer at any moment, contributing to your organization’s success…or downfall.  

And within the employee lifecycle, we believe there are six bedrocks of the employee experience that we call six “moments of truth.” These can be the reasons your employees are engaged, productive, and loyal. Or, they can be the triggers of disengagement, which can fuel organizational discontent, poor performance, and a bad customer experience.

It is worth noting that each of these can appear as early as the recruiting phase — at the risk of causing you to miss out on the best talent — but also throughout every step of the employee lifecycle.

Purpose and Values – This is not just about defining your purpose, but ensuring it resonates with your people. Your employees should have a clear line of sight to how they specifically deliver against your brand purpose. Similarly, do your values inform your business decisions? Are they meaningful and authentic to your people?

Training and Development – Organizations that made a strategic investment in their employees’ development report 11% greater profitability. And 94% of employees say they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development. So, it’s an area with a big upside.

Rewards and Recognition – Employees whose managers consistently acknowledge them for good work are 5x more likely to stay at the company. By developing rewards and recognition programs designed to advance desired behaviors, you drive a better employee experience and better business results.

Employee Communications – This intersects with nearly every element of the employee experience. It’s not only about what you communicate, but on what channels, in what tone, and at what cadence. It’s about transparency and accountability. And it’s about enabling and encouraging the kind of behaviors you need.

Leadership and Vision – A full 45% of employees do not trust their company’s leadership and vision for the future. Even if your organization far outperforms that number, you still have to be sure they understand what you’re trying to accomplish and how.

Organizational Culture – Especially in times of transition or uncertainty — from new leadership to navigating a pandemic — the spotlight can be especially bright on culture. When it’s working, your employees work happier, harder, and better. When it doesn’t, things fall apart. On that note, according to Gallup, workplace burnout is reduced to near zero among engaged, high well-being employees who also work in a culture that honors their individual strengths.

InVision Communications delivers employee engagement programs built on insight-driven strategy; a clear understanding of today’s diverse workforce needs; and a proven track record of delivering communications and connected experiences that move audiences and drive key employee behaviors. We help our clients clarify their workforce objectives, personify their employee messages, and amplify their reach for all of your employees in truly memorable and meaningful ways.

Reach out to jon.paul.potts@iv.com today to discover how InVision Communications can help you engage your employees at the moment of truth!