4 Ways Engagement Councils Benefit Internal Engagement

1. Bridge Upper Management and Employee Base

Engagement Councils flip the switch from a disengaged to an engaged employee base. Place various members from several departments into the council to foster open communication. Communication across all levels provide differing perspectives.

This sparks new, unique and engaging ways to affect change. Ultimately, leveling the playing field adds value to their work life. It also encourages transparent and frequent communication across all levels. More importantly, this builds trust.

2. Ensure Cohesive Messaging

You are more likely to engage and challenge your organization with a range of channels. In any case, adding a human element to messaging tactics makes it that much stronger. 

The Engagement Council can vet information and socialize the early tactics with “boots on the ground” messaging. Your employees will be much more receptive when they’re given a heads-up by their leaders. To keep everyone well-informed, meet at least quarterly.

3. Build Current and Emerging Leaders

Remember raising your hand in class hoping the teacher would call on you? A handful of employees mimics that during their time at work. Hungry employees want a bigger role to play. Why not call on them and place them in your Engagement Council?

Recognizing an employee’s potential helps build the possibility for new leaders. Utilizing current and emerging leaders offers differing perspectives to your council.

4. Foster an Engaged Workforce

When the clock strikes four in the CPG office on most Fridays, a treasured cart is pushed around the office. What’s in this cart, you may ask? Beer, of course.

A beloved practice (even if it is an agency cliche) like this drives company culture, specifically employee engagement. Your Engagement Council helps emphasize company culture and can propose initiatives like this to spark office-wide camaraderie. Even going as far as recognizing top performers drive engagement. Think about it, you spend 40 hours a week at your job and around your coworkers – why wouldn’t you want to enjoy that experience?

Power To The People

Put your people in the driver seat. You may still be sitting in the passenger seat quietly observing. Regardless, you were brave enough to hand them the keys and they will recognize that. It offers a chance to mold the silent go-getter and the champions within your organization. An empowered employee is an engaged employee. 

Department store giant, John Lewis, has taken engagement councils into their own hands. One initiative their people had a say in was renaming their employee base, partners. They focus on involving their partners in decisions and solutions, empowering them to create the best customer experience.

Employee Councils are the start to a strong internal communications strategy. CPG designs internal communications plans for any industry that break ground and create strong brand advocates.