Workplace apps are a relatively new creation but gaining ground as companies see wide-ranging benefits for communicating with and engaging a mobile-centric workforce. Collaboration and communication features, single sign-on to company-approved cloud-based tools, and access to information that once resided on the corporate intranet are common uses for today’s employee engagement apps.
But more could and should be added to workplace apps to make them tools employees can’t live without.
Fortunately, college grads, used to having a campus app with all the bells and whistles, are causing their employers to take stock of the limitations and lack of features in their workplace apps and to look closely at leading campus apps for inspiration.
College Apps Provide Inspiration for Fledgling Workplace Apps
Fifteen years since Stanford University launched the first campus app, adoption has soared among higher ed institutions. The last published stat from the 2015 Campus Computing Survey found that 85 percent of colleges and universities in the U.S. had activated mobile apps or had planned to implement them in the coming academic year. Today, that number is higher, accelerated by the events of 2020.
Schools see their apps as critical to student recruitment and retention, adding features and tools to help students navigate campus life more easily and for the college to expand its digital engagement with students.
Our recent Appademy Awards—a juried event that recognizes colleges and universities for developing exemplary digital experiences in apps built with Modo Campus—revealed many innovative and creative additions by higher ed institutions.
Here are five ideas companies should consider for their workplace apps:
1. Be Proactive About Employee Mental Health
The pandemic caused many companies to reevaluate and expand their mental health and wellness programs to help workers adjust to remote work. Now, companies are bringing employees back into the physical workplace, which could complicate employee mental health even further.
Vassar College supports holistic student wellness through its campus app, Vassar Mobile, through quick links to mental health resources, and, in the case of an urgent need, the mobile app’s home screen includes a call to action for mental health support.
Mental health and wellness ideas for a workplace app:
- Include links to mental health benefits and insurance
- Alert employees to company-sponsored and community health events, such as yoga, massage, meditation, etc.
- Provide links to resources for life coaching, anxiety-management tools, suicide prevention, coping strategies, substance abuse, and social support systems
- Use in-app surveys to monitor employee needs and concerns, making adjustments where possible
2. Reinvent the New Employee Onboarding Process
A successful onboarding process leads to better beginnings, increased trust, and consistent engagement with employees. When your new hire can quickly access critical systems and resources through a workplace app, they are more likely to excel in their role and add value to your company.
Northern Arizona University’s NAUgo app includes a virtual new student orientation, effectively serving a diverse student population. Students and families are informed every step of the way and remain engaged through personalized communication and essential content.
Employee onboarding ideas for a workplace app:
- Set up new hires in advance with welcome messages and team introductions
- Personalize the onboarding experience by job type, department, location, crisis management, and more
- Provide a dashboard to outline steps and track progress to improve onboarding completion rates
- Use in-app surveys and polls to test new employees’ knowledge
3. Move Beyond Email to Communicate with Employees
Hybrid and remote work models create new challenges requiring extra communication. Company-wide emails are rarely personalized, and important emails often get lost (or ignored) in overflowing inboxes. Over time, employees begin to feel disconnected and dissatisfied with their company.
A workplace app can integrate data into a single portal of streamlined, relevant, and highly personalized content, effectively replacing an outdated email channel.
For example, Harding University provides engaging, to-the-point notifications through its campus app, HardingU. Messages are always location-based, include an attention-grabbing image, and opt-in personalization.
Internal communication ideas to add to an employee app:
- Tailor messages based on employee location and persona and use automated reminders to nudge behaviors for desired outcomes.
- Integrate a knowledge library to educate employees on company topics and FAQs.
- Send automated updates and reminders about corporate events.
- Use automated features to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries.
- Rotate in-app banners showcasing relevant information for training workshops, events, etc.
- Track metrics on content performance and employee engagement
4. Turn Your Workplace Experience App into a Useful Tool
Companies can improve the employee experience by turning their apps into valuable tools that assist employees with everyday activities. Doing so helps them feel more productive and supported, which leads to higher employee satisfaction and retention rates.
Northern Arizona University understands the impact of the campus experience on students and continues to enhance its NAUgo app by leveraging the Modo platform. The app facilitates building access, transactions, transportation, dining, and navigation. Students can also access personalized information, such as class schedules and grades, and reach out to advisors directly through the app.
Old Dominion University’s ODUMobile app offers personalized components, such as attendance check-ins, account and financial aid alerts, and checklists.
Ideas to expand the usefulness of an employee app:
- Integrate with critical systems so employees can check PTO status, access employee training modules, and more
- Add tools that make everyday activities – catch a shuttle bus, locate a parking space, reserve a desk, find a coworker, book a meeting room, and more – easier
- Enable employees to sync in-office schedules and seating with colleagues, find face-time with leadership, and access virtual spaces for scheduled or drop-by meetups
- Incorporate digital IDs for facilities and systems access, financial transactions, event entry, and more
5. Engage Employees in App Design
Campuses have recognized that building an app students want to use means getting them involved. At Illinois College, Student Senate suggestions and student surveys and polls drive app content; app development is also student-led. As a result, IC’s campus app provides tools and information students actively use, including relevant announcements, dining hall menus, a LaundryView, maps, digital ID cards, and more.
Companies can follow suit by using Modo’s low-code / no-code app-building platform to engage internal subject matter experts, such as communications, HR, and facilities, to create content and build the user experience. In-app surveys and employee focus groups can provide feedback on new features ensuring app content meets employee needs fully.
What do you envision for your workplace app?
If your current app development platform prevents you from adding any of these exciting and useful features to your corporate app, consider Modo Workplace. Our powerful platform brings together corporate systems, exciting features, essential tools, and more into a branded, cross-device workplace app that supports employees’ every need. Request a demo and see for yourself was Modo can do.