Keep Remote Employees Engaged and Informed Through Video
- Posted by Alaia Williams
- On December 31, 2014
Even though the economy is in the process of recovering from the downturn, many companies and employees are increasingly turning to remote offices to cut down on costs. Through the use of video, companies are able to keep their employees engaged and informed, particularly due to the prevalence of laptops and mobile devices. These technologies allow for office-to-office collaboration in a way that is simple and efficient.
While it may be easy for existing employees to transition to a remote office, this is not the case with new employees who must begin working remotely. The longer-tenured employees already have a clear idea about the company’s organizational structure, so they know to whom they should refer their questions when they arise. They are also aware of the company policies, the location of important documents and how to access them, and how the technologies work. These are all challenges that new employees will have to overcome during the “onboarding period” as they begin working in a remote office.
Onboarding Can Be Effective and Cost-Efficient
Most companies no longer have the means to bring all of their new employees to a central location for training. While it may be considered ideal to present complex information in person and with personnel from human resources present to answer any questions, the cost is far too great for this method to be considered cost-efficient.
The ideal alternative to this scenario involves the use of video. New employees are still able to interact with HR personnel, and they are still able to ask any questions that may come to mind throughout the course of training. It is also more convenient, as there is no travel involved and the content being presented can either be pre-recorded or presented via live broadcast.
As new employees continue to join the company, the same training information can be provided through the initial recording, while veterans can continue to access the information in order to serve as a refresher or to reference specific information. These experiences are richer for employees, allowing employees to access information in real time.
The Importance of the Video Platform
When implementing a training system that is reliant on video, it is very important for companies to analyze their current and future needs with regard to the platform they select. In order to ensure continuity, the platform should be able to merge video with tools like SharePoint, which may already be in use.
Another consideration relates to the platform’s ability to be used on any available device. In addition to their laptops and desktop computers, employees may wish to access training materials or other information on their smartphones and tablets. This means that the platform must be able to be used on all of these devices in order for employees to remain engaged and informed.
Finally, a platform should be able to provide the management team with actionable analytics that help managers ensure that the training guidelines are being followed. Upon selection of the platform, the company can employ a video library, allowing a wealth of important information to be accessed whenever necessary.
Keep Employees Updated
Video allows employees to come as close to meeting and working face-to-face despite being located in separate remote offices. Video also allows employees to stay current and updated, while also creating a workforce that is consistently engaged in their work and thoroughly invested in the company.