This guide for HR directors explains the importance of having an iterative approach to benefits communication and provides practical steps for effectively incorporating employee feedback.
Key takeaways:
- Understand your employees and their needs. Set objectives to meet specific needs.
- Create an iterative communication strategy that’s employee-focused.
- Gather employee feedback through surveys, meetings, and sessions.
- Leverage video and storytelling techniques to engage employees and break down complex benefits information.
Benefits are a top priority for employees, who want assurance that their workplace offers competitive insurance, paid time off, and retirement options. Unfortunately, benefits information is notoriously complex and difficult for many employees to fully grasp. This creates a challenge for HR directors, who must ensure that important details are communicated clearly to every employee. Without thorough benefits communications, employees may fail to fully use the benefits available to them and may even look for other employment.
Many successful HR leaders adopt an iterative approach to benefits communication to enhance both consistency and effectiveness. This guide outlines key strategies for making a greater impact. Clear and engaging communication is essential for ensuring employees’ understanding and satisfaction.
Understand your audience and set clear objectives
Critical to any effective communication strategy is understanding your audience. To connect with your employees on a deeper level, consider factors such as:
- Demographics: Who makes up your team?
- Preferences: Which benefits matter most to them?
- Channel Engagement: Where are employees most active, and through which platforms do they respond best?
- Behaviors: What do employees value both at work and in their personal lives? What influences their decisions?
Start by assessing your audience’s needs to set clear goals for benefits communication. Depending on your organization’s priorities, your objectives may include increasing employee engagement or boosting benefits utilization. As you refine your approach, measure progress to ensure continuous improvement.
By incorporating insights into your employees’ needs, preferences, and challenges around benefits, you can communicate with them more effectively and drive better outcomes.
Build a flexible and iterative strategy
Adopt an iterative communication approach in your organization. This requires consistency in how and when you communicate, testing the results, learning from mistakes, and refining the strategy on an ongoing basis.
Taking this iterative mindset will help you develop a better plan for your communications content. Outline what, exactly, you’ll be using for communication, such as:
- Email newsletters
- Videos
- Infographics
- Interactive tools
- Online resources
A strong strategy will involve multiple channels, such as employees’ email inboxes, in-person meetings, digital platforms, training sessions, and webinars. Consider using social media to connect with employees as well.
A key element to a successful iterative strategy is incorporating employee feedback. Savvy HR directors encourage employees to share their thoughts and questions about benefits. This helps identify gaps in your approach and pinpoints areas for improvement.
Consider feedback methods such as engagement surveys, benefits discussions, one-on-one check-ins, and exit interviews. Remember, even negative feedback is valuable! It reveals what’s frustrating employees and what they need, offering opportunities to enhance your strategy.
By consistently gathering and acting on feedback, HR leaders can establish a feedback loop that drives meaningful improvements and maximizes impact.
Focus on employee’s needs by sending multiple reminders and follow-ups
One common frustration with benefits is keeping track of the various deadlines. Whether it’s a new hire enrollment window or the annual open enrollment period, many employees may struggle to remember when action is required.
HR teams should send multiple, timely reminders about upcoming benefit deadlines, leveraging automation tools when available. Consistent notifications not only keep employees on track but also inform them about benefit options they may not be fully aware of, setting them up for success.
Leverage video and storytelling for sharing complex total rewards information
People are attracted to visual content, which is why video is so effective. Corporate trainers see the benefit: 74% say they incorporate video into their training programs. Studies show that video use is highest among large companies, with 88% of large companies using these technologies.
Videos make it easier to explain complex total rewards information in a more engaging and digestible format than a written handbook. Since many employees are visual learners, videos can help them absorb information more quickly and effectively.
Focus on storytelling in the videos and other content you create for benefits communication. Use these storytelling techniques to make your message more impactful:
- Show empathy: Acknowledge employees’ concerns and challenges to create a connection. Address their worries directly to demonstrate understanding.
- Share relatable experiences: Use personal stories or real-life case studies to illustrate the information and make it more relatable.
- Follow a compelling structure: Start by defining a problem, introduce a complication to create tension, and finish with a solution that is relevant to employees.
- Encourage employee stories: Engage employees by inviting them to share their own experiences. Ask for comments on your videos or feedback on specific topics.
By combining video content with effective storytelling techniques, you can keep employees engaged and help them better retain important benefits information.
Creating a more impactful communications strategy starts with understanding your employees and setting goals. And an iterative approach helps you stay consistent with communication and continue adapting and improving. With videos, your employees will be able to understand even the most complex information about their benefits, which increases satisfaction and even retention.
Partner with an expert for better benefits communication
Companies of all sizes trust TruScribe to deliver benefits communication in a memorable and engaging way. We specialize in creating whiteboard videos tailored for HR professionals, ensuring your message is clear and impactful. With our expertise, we’ll make sure your project is completed on time and within budget.
At TruScribe, we understand the HR landscape, employee benefits, and corporate communication strategies. Our content creators simplify even the most complex information, making it easy for employees to understand.
We offer hand-illustrated explainer videos, illustrated conversations, and infographics to elevate your benefits communication. Let TruScribe help you transform your strategy for maximum impact and measurable results.Request a free quote today and discover how TruScribe can elevate your benefits communication strategy, keeping your workforce informed and engaged.