How Can We Create a Fun and Open Communication Space in Our IT Company? Seeking Ideas!

Hi,

I am in the process of drawing up a communication and employee engagement program for my company, a mid-sized IT company based in Pune. Employees in a recent survey in our company had bemoaned the lack of a forum for communication and fun in the organization. My task is to set one up. The objectives are:

1. To listen to employees and their suggestions/grievances.
2. To share corporate updates with all employees.
3. To foster an atmosphere of openness in the organization so that employees are well-informed at all times.
4. To create a fun working environment.

Please let me know what it should include. There are various ways companies maintain communication flow vertically and horizontally. I would appreciate hearing ideas from senior members in this forum about such initiatives!

Thanks,
John

Hi,

I think this is one good area wherein a lot of your creativity can be made use of. To start with, rather than taking this as an assignment single-handedly, I would suggest that you make a team of people from across the cross-section to form a core team and make it a joint responsibility. The team can then do some brainstorming and come up with various ideas on how to proceed. You could take more of a role as a facilitator and coordinator. This would encourage more participation and less complaining.

What do you think?

Hello,

I think Sherine is absolutely right and practical in this regard: make a team among the employees (select creative, active, and enthusiastic members). Try to have a member from each department, but the team size should not exceed more than 7-9 members.

Your role should be more of a facilitator and coordinator. You can have themes and situations created for opening candidates.

Regards,

Kusumadhar Pandey

Dear John,

I think you can opt for the below-mentioned practices apart from what Sherine and Kusumadhar have suggested.

1. You may want to initiate some Monthly Lunches or even a simple coffee meeting of Senior Management with junior folks. You may want to take self-nominations for the same or even randomly choose people based on their roles.

2. You may want to start with the philosophy of Employee Champions to ensure the proper dissemination of all the information.

3. Monthly fun activity (either online or physical).

4. Birthday celebrations (Monthly).

5. Go for a dipstick to know more about employee expectations out of the same, then plan accordingly.

6. Sometimes, small adventure/fun clubs also help in Employee Engagement.

Others, please share your ideas so we all can gain the maximum.

Regards,
Shilpa

Hi,

I also need information about Employee Engagement. I am specifically looking for practices/strategies adopted by IT organizations to implement Employee Engagement. I have a proposal to start a Fun Club for associates of this Business Unit. I am convinced of this Fun Club idea. Now, I am supposed to design a set of activities that can be carried out at regular intervals.

Do you have any suggestions? So far, I have ideas like movie screenings, outings, trekking, etc. Are there any more ideas that can be implemented to engage the employees and increase employee satisfaction? Please suggest.

Hi,

I am handling Employee Engagement and working in the retail industry. I would also like to know some Employee Engagement activities that can be executed within a limited budget.

You can email me at gaurangi_b@yahoo.co.in.

Thanks.

Hi all,

What should be done if you do not have a budget at all but still want the team to perform?

Bugs

Hi, you can initiate eNPS surveys for all employees to gather various types of feedback. Keep it simple yet informative.

Regards,
Pooja