I was keen on using my experiences during my 13 year old long association with the IT industry as a line manager in tackling some of the key HR issues facing the software industry today - need for better employee engagement, attrition control, knowledge management and transparency in performance appraisals and compensation. As Chief Architect and Product Manager for eMee, I am exploring the use of enterprise social networking and gamification in converting mundane but critical management functions into highly effective and enjoyable activities for line managers. I believe this innovative approach can fundamentally change the way companies engage with their employees.
We are a “Like Me” generation. Social networks have imbibed in us the need to be constantly appreciated and applauded. We have dozens of choices in our personal life, but things change drastically when it comes to our work environments. Most businesses do not allow social networking for their employees while at work, and of course, they have valid reasons –exposing the corporate Intranet to hacking, bandwidth clogging, and undesired disclosures of information through “Innocent” posts. However, this results in employees feeling disconnected, craving for recognition by managers and more importantly, peers. Today, it is unimaginable that a growing organization with global aspirations will not have a website and an Intranet. A couple of years from now, it will be the same with an Enterprise Social Network.
eMee brings social networking and gaming into your corporate Intranet environment in a safe and secure manner, enabling employees to connect and bond, bring transparency into performance and appraisals, allowing enterprises to discover assets and be more productive, and motivating employees into a high performance work force. All this, while leveraging existing investments in IT and MIS. And eMee’s pay per use pricing model ensures HR gets all the benefits at a fraction of their total employee-centric budgets.
As more and more users get connected to the Internet, they are basing their decisions on products and services offered by searching and comparing online. For employees too, the network will be the primary medium to connect to their company. As I mentioned earlier, it will soon be inconceivable to be a globally aspiring organization without an Enterprise Social Network. The smartphone revolution is hastening the pace to a whole new level. Without a social media policy, companies will flounder and do mistakes which can cost heavily in terms of reputation, customer satisfaction and employee retention. It is imperative for organizations to realize this and get social media savvy as soon as possible!
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