Unlocking the secret to a thriving workplace: the power of employee experience

The employee experience is a powerful tool for managers looking to boost the creativity and innovation of their employees, and, in turn, the entire company. Employers who prioritize the employee experience are up to 28 times more likely to be on the list of the most innovative companies. Indeed, they can achieve up to four times higher profits, and around 40% of them report having more satisfied customers thanks to increased productivity. Let’s explore how to improve the employee experience in your company.

What is employee experience?

Terms like customer experience or user experience are well known, but what about employee experience?

Employee experience is the sum of all experiences, interactions, and impressions that influence an employee within a company. This includes daily tasks, experiences, processes, the working atmosphere, communication, and team interaction. Therefore, the employee experience process starts with the job interview and ends with the exit interview. It is crucial for long-term employee retention and aims to make employees' work days more motivating and, therefore, more productive. In turn, it boosts the company's success.

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3 important components of employee experience

Employee experience consists of interactions, impressions, and emotions, which are important for employee satisfaction and motivation at work.

According to Jacob Morgan, author of "The Employee Experience Advantage," the employee experience can be divided into three categories. Considering aspects from each category, a work environment can be created that guarantees high employee satisfaction.‍

The first category is the cultural environment, which is about the employee's feelings. In other words, it refers to the emotional bond between the employee and the company. Other factors, such as the company structure and leadership, must be considered. Open communication and feedback channels can optimize the cultural environment to ensure positivity and productivity.

The second aspect is the technical environment, which includes all the tools needed to complete the job. Keeping the office updated with the latest technology for communication and information flow promotes opportunities for innovation. It also indicates the progressiveness of the company. This is not primarily about the latest technology or equipment but about accessible communication, transparent information flow, and project management.

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The third category is the physical environment, which affects motivation, performance, creativity, productivity, and the ability to concentrate. For instance, comfortable chairs are as much a part of the physical environment as the design of the office.

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Why is the employee experience important?

The employee experience is intended to create motivation not only temporarily but also in the long run. Positive touch points between the employee and the company ensure overall satisfaction and work performance. The employee experience aims to create a positive working environment to retain employees. Even small factors, such as good equipment or a canteen, can positively impact. As a result, more time can be invested in the actual work.
Four out of ten employees plan to change jobs due to salary reasons and the lack of interpersonal relationships. A company can counteract employees leaving through the employee experience, staff development, feedback, and corporate culture.

Who is responsible for improving the employee experience?‍

The management team sets the goals, and the human resources department implements the strategy and initiates changes. These improvements impact employees' knowledge, skills, and motivation. Managers can also promote their employees and implement the desired goals in their departments. Finally, the individual employee is also crucial for the overall employee experience. How they interact with each other and how they communicate with each other often have an influence.
The company should also pay attention to what tasks their employees perform daily, consider how work can be simplified, and improve productivity and performance. Regular surveys, interviews, and feedback platforms can help to understand the employee's needs. Based on these results, the company should also engage in changes.

Employee experience vs. employee engagement

Employee experience can, sometimes, be confused with employee engagement, as they are often used as synonyms. Both terms deal with corporate culture, working atmosphere, and feedback, but some differences exist. Employee engagement is an emotional connection to the work and the employer. This influences the motivation of employees to achieve their own and the company's goals.
Employee experience, on the other hand, forms a holistic approach and shows appreciation through constant feedback. Development plans should promote the employee's strengths and minimize weaknesses. Overall, there should be a positive working atmosphere in which the employee feels comfortable.
Employee satisfaction is also often confused with the employee experience. Some aspects make the employee feel satisfied, but not all of them serve to increase productivity.

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3 Companies with a great employee experience

Starbucks

Starbucks is committed to creating employee-friendly policies. On the one hand, receiving company shares through the "Bean Stock" program is possible. But Starbucks also tries to promote, retain and create a good employee experience by covering tuition fees for university and online courses. Employee engagement is fostered by referring to team members as partners rather than employees by their supervisor to create an equal feeling. Contact between supervisors and partners is close and very open.

Cheesecake Factory

At the Cheesecake Factory, training and recognition are emphasized. CEO David Overton thinks these are top priorities. Chairman David Gordon believes that success is partly down to staffing, as service is essential to the guest experience.

Sephora

Sephora is committed to employee development and offers training on new products, techniques, and trends. A Sephora salesperson is trained in three main product categories from their first day on the job. In addition, the latest technology is found in the shops, such as a digital shade finder. Last but not least, Sephora offers its employees the possibility of mobility by allowing them to change departments, shops, or countries. These market leaders show that employee experience is essential for a company's growth and long-term success.

We hope these three examples of employee experience inspire you and give you a concrete idea of the initiatives you can promote in your company. deskbird helps you enhance the employee experience in a hybrid work environment.

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