How does crowdsourcing impact employee engagement?

Entrepreneurs are increasingly realizing the importance of Employee Experience in the development of an organization. Employee satisfaction and engagement translate into productivity, which, in turn, affects revenue. The more positive an employee’s experiences are at various stages of their journey, the greater the likelihood they will stay with the company for years. Does crowdsourcing influence employee engagement?

Crowdsourcing and improving Employee Experience

Crowdsourcing activities aimed at generating innovative ideas from employees can significantly enhance their experiences. However, for these initiatives to be effective, they must be conducted skillfully with the help of dedicated technological tools. A suggestion box may not be an efficient solution, especially if it is not regularly checked and its contents analyzed.

The crowdsourcing process should focus on the employee experience from start to finish to yield tangible results. So where do you start? It begins with implementing a crowdsourcing platform and granting access to all employees. The design of such a platform has a significant impact on whether employees will want to participate in crowdsourcing initiatives. However, a well-designed tool is not the only factor influencing Employee Experience and enhancing employee engagement.

Does a crowdsourcing platform build employee engagement?

By running campaigns on a crowdsourcing platform, you indicate to your employees that you value their opinions and, at the same time, provide a space for unrestricted sharing of change proposals or new initiatives. The opportunity to participate in initiatives aimed at improving the workplace transforms how employees perceive it. They feel more responsible and attentive to their coworkers’ needs. Their sense of belonging to the organization also increases, along with the confidence that they can raise issues through appropriate channels. All employees have access to the crowdsourcing platform, making them better informed about the company’s activities and where to find information about implemented initiatives, eliminating the need for relying on rumors. All processes are transparent, allowing for tracking progress and engaging in discussions about proposed ideas.

Crowdsourcing improves employee engagement

Employees spend one-third of their day at work, so it should be a place where they feel comfortable, have access to necessary equipment, and enjoy the amenities that can simplify their daily lives. It is the organization’s role to provide the best possible work experiences.

No one knows employee needs better than the employees themselves, so conducting crowdsourcing activities directly among employees is a sensible approach. This not only lets them know that you care about their needs and want to fulfill them but also encourages employees to play an active role in the company’s development. They have a voice, sometimes even a deciding one. Allowing employees to identify areas in need of change, propose specific ideas, or vote empowers them. They can actively participate in shaping, improving, and influencing the management of their workplace. This likely has the most significant impact on employee engagement.

Does competition help build employee engagement?

Competing with others for increasingly creative solutions, innovative proposals, and even the hope of winning in this sometimes unspoken competition can be a significant motivator for employees. Receiving rewards or even numerous likes for their idea brings joy because it is a form of appreciation, confirming that their creation resonates with others. Increased self-confidence and a sense of value lead to improved work performance. A confident, appreciated, and satisfied employee is better equipped to make a positive impression on clients and willingly assist with their issues.

Workplace well-being and employee engagement

For employees to dedicate their full attention to clients or the matters they oversee without worries, the organization should meet their workplace-related needs. However, it must first identify and promptly address those needs. Unfortunately, conducting, for example, annual surveys does not make this possible. An employee cannot wait for months to signal a specific need that influences their work or makes their life easier.

Clear communication is key, and a crowdsourcing platform helps in this regard. Employees can place an idea in a space that improves their well-being, monitor the idea’s progress, evaluate it, or track its implementation. An organization that listens to employees’ needs, improving their well-being, can earn trust, loyalty, and remove obstacles to higher productivity. 

Engaging employees through community building

Human beings have a need for relationships, but establishing relationships in the workplace may not be easy. Employees often limit their interactions to colleagues they work with directly. By actively involving all employees in company-wide initiatives, you demonstrate that common goals and ventures unite you. You provide a space for discussing these goals, interacting, and getting to know new people. It serves as a pretext for bringing employees closer. A greater sense of belonging equates to a high Employee Experience.

Crowdsourcing has a significant impact on employee engagement and the development of positive employee experiences. It is worthwhile to run crowdsourcing campaigns and invest in the right tools. As an innovation management professional, you also have the right to positive experiences as an employee. A crowdsourcing platform, such as Crowdio, will likely be the first great innovation in your workplace, enabling a whole host of subsequent developments that support the organization’s growth and strengthen employee engagement.

Read also:

Crowdsourcing platforms vs. employee surveys – why is the platform more effective?

The crowdsourcing platform – 3 key aspects impacting the organizational community