The State Of Workplace Communication In 2023

The landscape of work is rapidly evolving, with remote work now encompassing a significant 58% of the workforce, translating to a staggering 92 million workers. 

This profound shift has elevated digital communication apps to a pivotal role in workplace interactions and overall productivity.

A recent analysis conducted by Forbes Advisor has shed light on some compelling statistics. Notably, two states, Colorado and Maryland, emerge as the frontrunners in embracing remote work, boasting the highest number of remote workers. 

This trend reflects the increasing adoption of flexible work arrangements across various regions.

It was also found that a significant 28% of respondents in the survey have reported using voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) phone systems. 

This technology, which enables voice communication over the internet, has gained substantial traction in the modern workplace, underscoring the importance of seamless digital communication.

Delving deeper into the work environment, the survey reveals that 50% of the participants operate in a hybrid work setting, combining in-person and remote work. Meanwhile, 27% of the workforce exclusively work remotely, and 20% remain anchored to on-site work. 

These statistics illustrate the diverse nature of work arrangements in today's workforce, highlighting the need for adaptable and efficient communication solutions.

What are employee communication apps?

Fundamentally, employee apps serve as internal communication tools, and the best among them offer a myriad of capabilities. 

However, a valuable employee app should, above all, furnish companies with a mobile solution to reach their entire workforce through their personal smartphones or tablets.

In this manner, employee communication apps establish an effective and secure means of connecting geographically dispersed employees, many of whom may lack a corporate email address or regular access to a desktop computer. 

Employee communication apps are also known as:

• Internal communication tools
• Enterprise communication platforms
• Employee engagement platform
• Intranet software
• Chat messaging

This category includes non-desk and remote workers, as well as freelancers, non-contract employees, temporary staff, and the like.

Some important stats: 

• 63% of employees are currently using apps for work-related tasks.
• 74% dedicate over two hours each week to access company information on their mobile devices.
• A significant 68% of employees keep their phones within sight while at work, as reported by CNBC.
• However, 57% of workers express the belief that their organization has been sluggish in delivering apps tailored for the workforce.

What to look for in an employee communication app?

Lastly, ascertain your available budget. Cost is a pivotal factor in your decision, and some apps may be more expensive than others. By maintaining focus on your overarching objectives, you'll only invest in the functionality that truly serves your needs. 

Her are a few other things to consider:

• Instant Messaging: Engaging in team chat facilitates relationship-building and expedites the resolution of common issues.
• Workflow Management: Real-time interaction with schedules and tasks enhances team productivity by reducing uncertainty.
• Content Sharing: Ensure that the platform allows easy editing and publishing of training materials and business announcements through news feeds and email newsletters.
• Third-Party Integrations: Look for platforms that offer integration with third-party features like payroll or cloud storage, making it more convenient for teams to leverage communication tools.
• Trial or Free Plan: Prior to making a purchase, it's crucial to test the compatibility and usability of a communication app, which some businesses offer through demos or free plans.
• Workflow Management: Real-time interaction with schedules and tasks enhances team productivity by reducing uncertainty.
• Content Sharing: Ensure that the platform allows easy editing and publishing of training materials and business announcements through news feeds and email newsletters.
• Third-Party Integrations: Look for platforms that offer integration with third-party features like payroll or cloud storage, making it more convenient for teams to leverage communication tools.
• Trial or Free Plan: Prior to making a purchase, it's crucial to test the compatibility and usability of a communication app, which some businesses offer through demos or free plans.

Presenting the Top 6 Apps for Employee Communication

 In the past, employees primarily relied on email and phone calls for internal communication within organizations. However, today, we have advanced to a highly sophisticated communication system that not only conveys messages but also focuses on optimizing overall team efficiency.

1.AgilityPortal

• An intuitive dashboard with customizable widgets
• A news feed for company announcements and updates
• Discussion forums and chat rooms for team interaction
• File sharing and storage capabilities
• Seamless integration with popular business tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365

• Enhanced Communication: AgilityPortal simplifies communication and collaboration among employees, bridging geographical and departmental gaps.
• Increased Productivity: AgilityPortal empowers employees to be more productive by providing a centralized hub for accessing essential information and tools required for their tasks.
• Streamlined Collaboration: AgilityPortal facilitates seamless team collaboration and file sharing for project success.
• Elevated Employee Engagement: AgilityPortal fosters employee engagement by offering a space for socialization and connection.

• AgilityPortal offers a range of pricing plans tailored to meet the needs of businesses of varying sizes. The pricing structure is based on the number of users and the specific features required.  You can review the pricing options here.

• AgilityPortal is well-suited for organizations of all sizes aiming to enhance communication, collaboration, and productivity. It is particularly favored by small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and technology companies.

• Remote Teams that need a virtual proviate space to communicate
• Teams Managing Multiple Projects
• Teams Collaborating with External Partners
• Teams Requiring Efficient File Sharing and Information Distribution
• Teams Aiming to Improve Communication and Collaboration Proficiency

2.Slack

3.Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams stands as a unified communication and collaboration platform, seamlessly merging workplace chat, video meetings, file sharing (including persistent chat), and application integration into a single central hub. It is an integral part of the Microsoft 365 suite of products.

• Enhanced Communication: Microsoft Teams simplifies real-time team communication and collaboration by centralizing all conversations and files, ensuring everyone is aligned.
• Elevated Productivity: Microsoft Teams enhances team productivity by reducing the reliance on email and meetings. It provides an array of tools or automating tasks and workflows.
• Streamlined Collaboration: Microsoft Teams facilitates easy project collaboration, regardless of geographical location or time zone. It also offers tools for sharing files, ideas, and feedback.
• Improved Team Morale: Microsoft Teams fosters team morale by offering a space for socialization and collaboration. It includes features like emojis and GIFs for added fun.

• Microsoft Teams is included in all Microsoft 365 plans. Additionally, a free plan is available for teams with up to 300 users, providing unlimited messaging and file sharing, as well as access to a limited set of features.
• Free: Meetings of up to 60 minutes and 100 members
• Essential: $4/month per user for meetings up to 24 hours and 300 members
• Business Basic: $6/month per user for unlimited meetings and 1TB storage

• Microsoft Teams is well-suited for organizations of all sizes seeking to enhance communication, collaboration, and productivity. While it is commonly embraced by startups and tech companies, it is also utilized by a diverse range of organizations, including government agencies, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

• Remote Teams
• Teams Managing Multiple Projects
• Teams Collaborating with External Partners
• Teams Needing Efficient File Sharing and Information Distribution
• Teams Aiming to Enhance Communication and Collaboration Proficiency

4.Zoom

Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing service that facilitates connections among users for meetings, webinars, and various events. It ranks among the world's most popular video conferencing platforms, boasting over 500 million monthly meeting participants.

• User-Friendly: Zoom is exceptionally user-friendly, catering to individuals of varying technical aptitudes. Users can effortlessly join meetings with a single click, without the need for software downloads or installations.
• Reliability: Zoom excels in reliability, offering high-quality video and audio, even under low-bandwidth conditions.
• Affordability: Zoom presents a range of pricing plans, including a free option suitable for small businesses and individuals.
• Feature-Rich: Zoom is replete with a wide spectrum of features, encompassing screen sharing, breakout rooms, and polling.

• Zoom provides diverse pricing plans, commencing with a free plan that allows hosting meetings with up to 100 participants for a duration of 40 minutes. Paid plans initiate at $12.49 per user per month, furnishing additional benefits such as extended meeting durations, expanded cloud storage, and custom branding.

• Zoom is a versatile video conferencing platform applicable to organizations of all sizes. It is particularly advantageous for businesses and entities necessitating remote meetings and webinars. Additionally, Zoom is a valuable tool for educational purposes, including online classes and lectures.

• Businesses: Zoom is applicable to businesses of all sizes for hosting remote meetings, webinars, and events, as well as for training and development purposes.
• Educational Institutions: Educational institutions can leverage Zoom for delivering online classes and lectures, as well as promoting student collaboration and group projects.
• Non-Profit Organizations: Non-profit organizations can utilize Zoom for hosting fundraising events, volunteer meetings, and other gatherings.
• Government Agencies: Government agencies can employ Zoom to host public meetings, training sessions, and various events.

5.Zoho

Zoho Connect serves as a unified communication and collaboration platform designed to enhance communication, collaboration, and productivity for businesses across the spectrum. Its feature-rich offerings include:

• Communication: Zoho Connect encompasses a suite of communication tools, including forums, chats, video conferencing, and announcements. This enables users to engage in real-time or asynchronous communication as per their requirements.
• Collaboration: Zoho Connect further provides a variety of collaboration tools, such as file sharing, task management, and wikis, fostering seamless project collaboration, regardless of geographical constraints.
• Productivity: Zoho Connect significantly bolsters business productivity by creating a central hub for employees to communicate, collaborate, and access information. This, in turn, curtails wasted time and enhances overall efficiency.

• Zoho Connect operates as a cloud-based platform, making deployment and utilization straightforward. Moreover, it boasts an affordability factor, with plans starting at a mere $1 per user per month.

• Zoho Connect is well-suited for businesses of all sizes, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). SMBs often contend with limited resources and thus require cost-effective, user-friendly solutions. Zoho Connect aligns perfectly with the needs of SMBs by offering a comprehensive array of features at a competitive price point.

• Enhanced Communication and Collaboration:Zoho Connect consolidates communication and collaboration, promoting synergy throughout the organization.
• Increased Productivity:Zoho Connect equips employees with tools to work efficiently, from file sharing to task management, streamlining communication across various applications.
• Cost Efficiency:As a cloud-based platform, Zoho Connect eliminates the need for upfront investments in hardware or software, ultimately reducing costs for businesses of all sizes.
• User-Friendly:Zoho Connect is thoughtfully designed for user-friendliness, catering to a broad user base, including those with limited technical expertise.

6.Basecamp

• Project Management: Basecamp aids teams in creating and monitoring projects, tasks, deadlines, and file management.
• Communication: Basecamp provides a variety of communication tools, encompassing group chats, private messaging, and message boards.
• Collaboration: Basecamp streamlines teamwork by facilitating collaboration on documents, files, and diverse projects.

• Enhanced Team Communication: Basecamp's communication tools simplify the process of team members staying connected and collaborating on projects.
• Increased Productivity: Basecamp's project management features contribute to team organization and alignment, ultimately boosting productivity.
• Reduced Stress: Basecamp serves to alleviate stress by serving as a centralized hub for project management and communication.

• Basecamp Personal: This free plan includes unlimited projects and users but offers limited features, including 500GB of storage and no priority support.
• Basecamp Business:  Priced at $99 per month, this plan encompasses all the features of Basecamp Personal, along with unlimited storage, priority support, and client access.
  

• Small Businesses: Basecamp aids small businesses in efficiently managing their projects and communication.
• Remote Teams: Basecamp's communication and collaboration tools facilitate the seamless connection and effective teamwork of remote teams.
• Creative Teams: Creative teams, such as design agencies and marketing teams, find Basecamp valuable for idea sharing, project collaboration, and workflow management.
• Nonprofit Organizations: Basecamp proves to be a valuable tool for nonprofit organizations, assisting them in managing projects, volunteers, and donations.

Keep Internal Team Communications Centralized With AgilityPortal Super Add for Remote Teams

Are you ready to take the next step? 

Begin your journey with a complimentary 14-day trial of AgilityPortal, and witness the transformative impact on your team's performance and collaboration. 

Internal Communication FAQs

What is effective internal communication?

An example of internal communication is the use of email to share important company updates or announcements with employees. 

It can also include team meetings, internal newsletters, company intranet, instant messaging platforms, or even face-to-face conversations between colleagues. 

Internal communication serves various purposes, from disseminating critical information to facilitating day-to-day interactions among staff members.

What is an example of internal communication? 

An example of internal communication within an organization is the use of a weekly team meeting where department heads provide updates on ongoing projects and discuss upcoming milestones. In this meeting, employees can ask questions, share insights, and align their efforts with the company's goals and priorities. This face-to-face interaction fosters collaboration and ensures that everyone is well-informed about the company's progress and objectives.

AgilityPortal is a web-based software platform designed to enhance internal communication and collaboration within organizations. It can be used to facilitate internal communication and help keep remote or deskless staff engaged by using the built-in tools.

How can internal communication be improved?

• Prioritize Communication: Internal communication should be a fundamental component of any business strategy. Leaders must set the example and underscore the significance of communication
• Clarity and Simplicity: When communicating with employees, ensure your message is unambiguous and free from jargon. Utilize plain language that everyone can readily comprehend.
• Consistency: Establish a reliable communication framework so that employees know where to access information and anticipate regular updates from leadership. Adhere to a consistent communication schedule.
• Two-Way Interaction:  Communication should not flow in only one direction. Promote a culture of openness by encouraging employees to ask questions, share ideas, and offer feedback. Adopting an internal communication tool like AgilityPortal can help improve Communications in organisation
• Diverse Communication Channels: Recognize that people have distinct communication preferences. Employ a range of channels to reach all employees, such as email, intranet, social media, and video conferencing.

What are the challenges of internal communication?

Internal communication involves the exchange of information and ideas within an organization, serving as a crucial foundation for trust, collaboration, and performance enhancement. Nevertheless, several challenges can impede effective internal communication, including:

• Lack of Transparency: Organizations that withhold critical information like financial performance and strategic plans from employees can foster mistrust and give rise to speculation.
• Ambiguity: Communication should be clear and unambiguous, but achieving this clarity can be challenging. Ambiguous messages may lead to employee confusion and frustration.
• Inconsistent Communication Channels: Employees need a reliable source for information and a predictable schedule for leadership communication. However, some organizations lack consistent channels, making it hard for employees to stay informed and engaged.
• Unclear Feedback Mechanisms: Employees should feel at ease asking questions and addressing concerns with their leaders, yet many organizations lack clear channels for this purpose. This can result in employees feeling unheard and disconnected.
• Lack of Employee Recognition: Acknowledging and appreciating employees' hard work and contributions is vital. Organizations that fail to recognize their employees' accomplishments risk leaving them feeling undervalued and unappreciated.

Moreover, organizations with a large workforce, multiple locations, and remote employees face additional complexities in internal communication. Tailoring your communication strategy to address these specific challenges is essential for effective internal communication within your organization.