Why building a strong workplace community is key to your business’s success

The importance of a strong company culture is well documented. The core set of values, beliefs, and behaviours that shape the overall work environment and define the organisation’s identity are vital to the success of any business.

But closely related to this is workplace community.

A group of people who come together over a common goal, interest or skill, communities are often formed organically. However, internal comms has a pivotal role in deliberately building communities to help meet the common goals of the company.

Building positive connections between employees, as well as between employees and the senior management team, has wide-ranging benefits for businesses.

Here are just a few of them…

Here’s how you can use your intranet to help plug your company’s productivity gap:

1. Employee engagement

A strong sense of community in the workplace is hugely important when it comes to employee engagement. When employees feel connected to the people they work with and the wider workplace, they are more likely to be motivated, productive, and committed to their work.

In fact, according to research by Gallup, companies with high employee engagement are 21 per cent more profitable.

A positive workplace community also creates a supportive environment where employees feel valued and appreciated, this leads to increased job satisfaction and overall well-being.

2. Collaboration and innovation

A strong workplace community is key for creating a culture of collaboration and innovation among employees.

When employees feel safe and supported in sharing their ideas and perspectives, they are more likely to collaborate with their colleagues, exchange knowledge, and come up with new ideas.

This can lead to increased creativity, problem-solving, and innovation, which can contribute to the overall success of the organisation.

3. Employee retention and talent acquisition

Employees who feel connected to each other and have a sense of belonging are more likely to stay with an organisation for the long term.

According to a McKinsey report, one of the top three reasons employees cited for why they had left their jobs was because they didn’t feel a sense of belonging at work (51 per cent).

Additionally, a strong community in the workplace can enhance the organisation’s reputation, making it more attractive to potential candidates during the talent acquisition.

4. Employee Well-being

According to a Gallup survey, employees who strongly agree that their employer cares about their overall well-being are three times more likely to be engaged at work.

Workplace community can play a crucial role in supporting employee well-being. When employees feel supported, included, and connected to their colleagues, it can create a positive work environment that promotes employee well-being.

Feeling socially connected and supported can reduce stress, promote good mental health, and create a sense of belonging, which can contribute to a healthy work-life balance.

5. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Building a strong workplace community can foster diversity, equity, and inclusion. When employees feel included and valued regardless of their background, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics, it promotes a culture of diversity and inclusivity.

This can lead to increased collaboration, creativity, and a broader range of perspectives, which can benefit the organisation as a whole.

– Jeffrey Pietrzak, Founder and CEO of business consultancy Work Exceptional, LLC

(Source)

6. Organisational Culture and Values

We know how important company culture is to the success of an organisation, but a strong workplace community can really contribute to shaping and reinforcing an organisation’s culture and values.

When employees feel a sense of community, they are more likely to align with the organisation’s values, mission, and vision. This can lead to a positive organisational culture that promotes teamwork, collaboration, and shared goals, leading to increased overall performance and success.

Building a strong workplace community can be achieved in many ways but in this world of hybrid, distributed and asynchronous working an intranet is a key tool in the internal comms toolkit for facilitating interaction, support and shared experiences amongst colleagues.

Find out how Involv can provide the tools for community building by downloading our ebook.

Or why not book a demo with one of our intranet expert.