Editor’s letter - Time to engage

Welcome to the launch issue of Employee Engagement Today, the latest addition to Osney Media’s growing stable of management publications.

Companies are becoming more aware of the value of having an engaged workforce, particularly as the next generation of workers places a higher priority on work-life balance. Our discussions with HR and internal communications professionals have certainly confirmed the importance of employee engagement. Staff that are aligned with their company’s core values are not only more likely to stay loyal, but will actively promote the company’s products and services outside the workplace.

While many companies are aware of the concept of engagement, the challenge of creating a company culture where people are not only happy about coming to work everyday but are highly productive at the same time is not something that can be achieved easily.

Vodafone is one company that has researched extensively with its workforce to understand what motivates them and how to boost productivity. The end result is an X-Factor-style annual event for employees, which culminates in a music festival in the summer. The event provides staff with opportunities to perform, support colleagues and get involved in a year-long search for talented musicians within the company, which has increased productivity and boosted morale.

Reuters is another organisation that encourages its employees to live the brand. Staff at the company’s Canary Wharf site have access to meeting rooms such as the ‘integration lab’ and ‘ideas lab’, as well as other rooms designed to enhance productivity and promote Reuters’ core values.

But what works for one company may be disastrous for another, and companies that are successful in this area have learnt from both the mistakes and successes made by themselves and others. Indeed, by creating a vehicle for companies to share their own successes and failures, we hope Employee Engagement Today will be your go-to guide for internal communications best practice.

Of course, we will be unable to maintain Employee Engagement Today as a must read magazine without your help. What challenges are you facing? What issues would you like to see addressed? Please get in touch and let us know. Similarly, if you have a story or experience you would like to share, contact me at jessica_weaver@osneymedia.co.uk

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the first issue of this exciting magazine.

Jessica Weaver

Commissioning editor