We all know the dread of opening your laptop to an abundance of emails waiting to be answered. The ever-growing reliance on emails has left many drowning in overflowing inboxes. If you’re thinking, “Reducing email usage is impossible,” think again. The era of email dominance is evolving, and a strategic shift towards Enterprise Social Networks (ESN) is gaining popularity in many companies worldwide.

Remember the days of lengthy email threads circulating PowerPoint presentations among friends? Today, that exchange happens on social networks through memes, images, and videos. The fatigue of endless marketing emails has led people to unsubscribe, favoring content on social media platforms over inundating email ads.

In the professional sphere, the rise of emails has led to essential messages being buried in the noise. Recognizing this, some forward-thinking companies have turned to Enterprise Social Networks as a solution—a new collaborative frontier.

What is an Enterprise Social Network (ESN)?

An ESN is a secure and private network fostering communication, collaboration, and information sharing using familiar social features (Likes, Comments, Shares, etc.) akin to platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.

Benefits of Implementing an ESN in Your Company:

Improved Communication:

An ESN provides real-time, concise communication within the company. While you can enable the platform to house posts from all employees, you can empower key members to communicate with the entire company. For example, Human Resources could send a form to poll their employees on company benefits or inform everyone that the organization has coffee for everyone in the lobby. Instead of getting lost in a sea of emails, these notifications can reach the user directly through their ESN platform.

 Enhanced Corporate Environment:

Improved connectedness facilitates bidirectional communication between senior management and employees. In an ESN, management can communicate more easily with their employees, especially in large organizations.

Increased Employee Connectivity:

ESNs also provide visibility into projects, initiatives, and events, fostering employee connections. Platforms like Microsoft’s Viva Engage allow companies to create groups according to mutual interests. From a Motivational Group with the customary Monday Motivation post to an employee manual group, where HR can remind company members of their benefits and policies, an ESN is an incredible way to create a better environment within your organization.

Productivity Boost:

So, where does email end up? When implementing an ESN, email becomes where important matters are discussed. By drastically reducing the reliance on emails, you minimize clutter and unnecessary threads.

Encourages Collaboration and Teamwork:

With an ESN, you inspire employees to contribute ideas and opinions, fostering a culture of collaboration. Employees can comment on other people’s achievements or new and exciting announcements within the company. This, in turn, enables more connected members and an improved company culture.

Efficient Data Management:

Create a centralized data bank to prevent task duplication and ensure information availability when needed. To follow up on our previous example, employees can turn to the ESN to get informed on company policy or benefits.

Real-Life Impact:

At our tech-centric company, INVID, adopting an Enterprise Social Network has been a game-changer. We effortlessly stay abreast of the latest news and product references. Onboarding new team members is seamless, granting them visibility into shared information pre-dating their arrival. The network streamlines team searches on specific topics, making information retrieval swift and efficient.

Choosing the Right Platform: Viva Engage

Several platforms offer ESN capabilities, with Viva Engage leading the pack. Owned by Microsoft, Viva Engage boasts over 200,000 companies (including 85% of Fortune 500) as users. Integrated with Microsoft 365, it comes with a dedicated mobile application for user convenience.

INVID’s Expertise:

At INVID, we guide companies in understanding how an ESN can enhance productivity based on their unique needs. Our services include training employees to harness the network effectively, aligning with the company’s vision.

Are you ready to alleviate email overload and explore the possibilities of an Enterprise Social Network? Contact us, and let’s redefine communication and collaboration in your organization.