Every interaction, milestone, and relationship that an employee experiences in your organization impact how they feel about your company culture and purpose. From the moment they first learn about your company, go through the recruitment process, get hired, become an official employee, and resign or retire – the entire journey is called the employee experience. The employee experience matters because it directly impacts employee engagement, productivity, performance, development, and retention.

1. Enhance the candidate experience

First impressions matter. And before someone officially becomes an employee in your company, they were first a candidate going through the recruitment process. To create the best candidate experience, start with clear job descriptions. Simplify the application procedures and set realistic expectations. When possible, be flexible about scheduling interviews, such as making initial interviews via video call. Respect candidates by being on time. Communicate well so that they’re not kept waiting. Designate someone on your team to be immediately accessible to answer questions from job applicants.

2. Be consistent

As you were evaluating if a candidate was a good match for the role, that person was also determining if they would have a positive future with your company. Once hired, don’t disappoint them by being inconsistent about your company culture and mission, which are likely factors that helped them decide to join your organization. If you have promoted your brand as inclusive and diverse, demonstrate this value through your hiring decisions. If you have advertised your company as family-friendly, ensure you follow through with that promise through supportive programs for working parents – such as flexible schedules.

3. Create opportunities for collaboration

Collaborative environments are the most engaging. They connect people, helping inspire ideas and improve communication. To promote a collaborative workplace culture, create opportunities for co-creation, brainstorming, and team building. Look for ways for teams or individuals to work together on projects, which also creates opportunities for cross-training.

4. Stay connected and communicate clearly

Clear communication keeps teams connected and also prevents misunderstandings. Whether your team works at a physical office, remotely, or follows a hybrid set-up, there’s always the risk of poor communication. Improve communication with your people by committing to stay connected. Establish which communication platform works best for your team based on your communication styles. Provide the tools and training to use the platform efficiently. Establish rules to prevent distraction and promote productivity.

5. Encourage feedback

A company culture that promotes the importance of feedback sends the message that communicating personal ideas and concerns are valuable. The best way to identify what employees need is to ask. Because of different personalities, not everyone will openly communicate their concerns, grievances, perspectives, and ideas. They need to be confident that their feedback is welcomed. Constantly communicate to your team that your door is open to them. Also, encourage people to reach out to their direct managers or even HR.

Ensure you’re reaching all of your employees by maintaining clean employee contact data.