Deskless workers are employees who do not have a dedicated workstation and are constantly on-the-go, such as those in the retail, hospitality, healthcare, and construction industries. These workers often face unique communication challenges, such as difficulty accessing information and coordinating with team members. Effective communication solutions can improve their productivity, engagement, and safety, leading to better business outcomes. In this outline, we will explore the top communication solutions for deskless workers and best practices for implementing them.
Benefits of effective communication for deskless workers
Effective communication is essential for deskless workers as it can provide numerous benefits for both employees and organizations. Some of the benefits of effective communication for deskless workers include:
- Improved productivity and efficiency: Effective communication can help deskless workers to better coordinate with their teams and access information quickly, leading to faster decision-making and better task completion.
- Increased employee engagement and job satisfaction: Clear and open communication can help deskless workers feel more connected to their teams and the organization, leading to higher levels of engagement and job satisfaction.
- Enhanced safety and well-being: Communication solutions can provide deskless workers with important safety information and enable them to report incidents or hazards quickly, improving their overall safety and well-being.
By addressing the unique communication needs of deskless workers, effective communication solutions can have a significant impact on employee morale, productivity, and safety, leading to better business outcomes for organizations.
Top communication solutions for deskless workers
There are several communication solutions that are particularly well-suited to the needs of deskless workers. Here are some of the top communication solutions for deskless workers:
- Mobile messaging apps: Mobile messaging apps like WhatsApp and Slack enable deskless workers to communicate with each other and their managers in real-time. These apps can be used for both one-on-one and group messaging, making them ideal for team collaboration.
- Push-to-talk (PTT) apps: PTT apps like Zello and Voxer enable deskless workers to communicate using voice messages. This can be especially useful in noisy or fast-paced environments where it may be difficult to type or read messages.
- Employee communication platforms: Employee communication platforms like Beekeeper and Crew are designed specifically for deskless workers. These platforms provide a central location for sharing information, communicating with teams, and accessing company resources.
- Video conferencing tools: Video conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet enable deskless workers to participate in meetings and training sessions remotely. This can be particularly useful for organizations with dispersed teams or remote workers.
- Digital signage solutions: Digital signage solutions like ScreenCloud and Yodeck enable organizations to share important information and updates with deskless workers using digital displays. These displays can be placed in common areas, such as break rooms or near workstations, to ensure that everyone sees the information.
Each of these communication solutions has its own strengths and can be used in different ways to support the communication needs of deskless workers.
Factors to consider when choosing communication solutions for deskless workers
When choosing communication solutions for deskless workers, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the solutions are effective and meet the unique needs of these employees. Here are some factors to consider:
- User-friendliness and ease of implementation: The communication solutions should be easy to use and implement, as deskless workers may not have a lot of time for training or technical support.
- Security and privacy features: Communication solutions should have strong security and privacy features, as deskless workers may be sharing sensitive information.
- Integration with existing systems and tools: The communication solutions should integrate with existing systems and tools, such as HR or scheduling software, to streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
- Customization and scalability: The communication solutions should be customizable and scalable to meet the specific needs of the organization and to accommodate future growth.
- Cost-effectiveness: The communication solutions should be cost-effective, as organizations may need to invest in multiple solutions to meet the communication needs of deskless workers.
By considering these factors, organizations can choose communication solutions that are effective, efficient, and tailored to the needs of their deskless workers.
Best practices for implementing communication solutions for deskless workers
Implementing communication solutions for deskless workers requires careful planning and execution to ensure that the solutions are effective and well-received by employees. Here are some best practices for implementing communication solutions for deskless workers:
- Conducting a needs assessment and involving employees in the decision-making process: Conduct a needs assessment to identify the communication challenges faced by deskless workers and involve employees in the decision-making process to ensure that the chosen solutions are relevant and effective.
- Providing training and support to ensure adoption and effective use: Provide training and ongoing support to help deskless workers understand how to use the communication solutions and encourage adoption and effective use.
- Establishing clear communication guidelines and policies: Establish clear communication guidelines and policies to ensure that all employees are aware of what is expected of them when using the communication solutions.
- Monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of the communication solutions: Continuously monitor and measure the effectiveness of the communication solutions to identify areas for improvement and ensure that they are meeting the needs of deskless workers.
- Celebrating successes and making adjustments as needed: Celebrate successes and make adjustments as needed to ensure that the communication solutions are continuously improving and meeting the needs of deskless workers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, effective communication is essential for deskless workers, who face unique challenges in accessing information and coordinating with their teams. Mobile messaging apps, push-to-talk apps, employee communication platforms, video conferencing tools, and digital signage solutions are some of the top communication solutions for deskless workers. When choosing and implementing communication solutions for deskless workers, it’s important to consider factors such as user-friendliness, security, integration, customization, and cost-effectiveness, and to follow best practices such as conducting a needs assessment, providing training and support, establishing clear communication guidelines, monitoring and measuring effectiveness, and celebrating successes. By addressing the communication needs of deskless workers, organizations can improve productivity, engagement, safety, and overall business outcomes.