Employee Experience Roundup: Creating a Purpose-Driven Organization + Why Internal Communication is the key driver of employee engagement

Welcome to our weekly hand-curated roundup of articles and resources, guidance and inspiration for those who have a role and responsibility in shaping the employee experience. We include a variety of sources and topics ranging from Employer Branding, Content, Employee Communications & Campaigns, Recruitment Marketing, and workplace culture.

In this week’s EX Roundup, read about creating a purpose-driven organization, listen to the ex Podcast on why Internal Communication is the key driver of employee engagement, an interview with Kerri Warner, the VP of Employee Communications, Worldwide Marketing and Communications at Mastercard, plus more.

Creating a Purpose-Driven Organization — HBR By Robert E. Quinn and Anjan V. Thakor
“A higher purpose is not about economic exchanges. It reflects something more aspirational. It explains how the people involved with an organization are making a difference, gives them a sense of meaning, and draws their support. But like many of the leaders we’ve interviewed in our research, Anderson started his tenure as president skeptical about how much it mattered. The concept of higher purpose didn’t fit into his mostly economic understanding of the firm.”

Why Internal Communication is the Key Driver of Employee Engagement — ex Podcast
“The communication effectiveness of your organization is a critical driver for employee commitment. When information is genuine and transparent, when it is created and curated in a way that it resonates with your people, employees are more engaged and have a better understanding of your organization’s decisions, activities and how these activities affect their jobs.

Kerri Warner is the VP of Employee Communications, Worldwide Marketing and Communications at Mastercard. She leads a team of story miners, makers, tellers and sellers responsible for employee communications, internal creative campaigns and communication technologies. Kerri and her team drive business outcomes through communications that shape culture, create exceptional employee experiences and inspire brand advocacy.”

Reminder: Customers Care How You Treat Your Employees — HBR, by Denise Lee Yohn
“Business leaders must recognize that a company’s employment practices can shape brand perceptions just as much as traditional marketing efforts. Public relations firm Weber Shandwick found that when consumers discuss companies, the top five topics include how they treat their employees and news about their involvement in scandals or wrongdoings. And Edelman reports that no single action by a company is more interconnected with its ability to build trust with the public than “treating employees well.” So in their pursuit of employees with desirable skills and profiles, companies must be sure they aren’t alienating customers and other stakeholders. After all, does any company really want a reputation as a firm that won’t employ older workers or women?”

The Intersection of Employee Experience and Customer Experience — CMS newswire, By Phil Britt
“How does the employee experience impact customer experience? There is no simple answer. While many marketers and HR-related executives see a link, a survey West Monroe conducted of Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA) members found near-half of respondents said a motivated and equipped workforce — two essential elements of employee experience and employee engagement — were most critical for their companies to achieve an improved CX (cited by 53 percent of respondents), business agility (50 percent) and digital transformation (49 percent). Yet when discussing their top 10 priorities, these same companies ranked employee engagement, employee experience and employee enablement (via technology) at the bottom of their companies’ top 10 priorities.”

Do these things to make sure you deliver a great employee experience — FastCompany, By Tammy Perkins
“Leaders are responsible for the culture that allows their employees to thrive. At the highest level, employee experience or EX illustrates everything that people encounter, observe, or feel over the course of their time with a company. EX is defined by the sum of its parts–from the daily vibe in the workplace to the employee’s purpose and place on their team and how they deliver value for their organization. As leaders, we are stewards of culture and the environment our team works in. We create opportunities. We position individuals and teams to thrive. We tend culture.”

Strong Communication, Strong Company: How To Advance Workplace Culture And Strategy — Forbes
“Communication is a key element in creating a seamless system between all departments and within all teams of a workplace. Excellent communication can ensure that everyone is on the same page, allow ample room for questions and concerns, and create a safe space for open dialogue. On the other hand, poor communication can lead to interpersonal relationship breakdowns due to miscommunication, not to mention lower morale or feelings of unease.”