Android TV is changing the game in employee communications

As of 2023, the Great Resignation movement is all but dead. During the pandemic, millions of Americans quit their jobs for better work conditions, higher salaries, or both. Those in the services industry packed up and left for less demanding jobs with better pay. Meanwhile, openings for many labor-intensive jobs—such as those for truck drivers, warehouse workers, and store clerks—went unfilled. Veterans chose to retire, while younger employees opted to take up desk positions or work-from-home jobs that lacked solid employee communications.

However, the latest US Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report indicates that the tide has turned. Rampant job cuts across industries amid a slowing economy means that workers have second thoughts before quitting. In addition, the threat of Artificial Intelligence (AI) taking over jobs is becoming too real.

Employee Communication Remains Key in Retaining Valued Workers
Resignation numbers are beginning to resemble pre-pandemic levels. That said, just because people don’t want to lose jobs doesn’t mean they can’t find better ones. To keep workers engaged, businesses must provide the right training, guidance, and support. Furthermore, to ensure everybody stays in the loop, companies should also look into improving employee communications.

But where do you begin? Strategies for employee communications have changed substantially in the last few years to accommodate the modern work environment. For starters, many employees now work remotely from home-based offices. In other instances, workers alternate between work-from-home and the office so as to keep headquarters humming. And whether or not they telecommute, it’s not unusual to find employees hooked to their devices until it’s time to clock out.

Employee Engagement Requires Enhanced Internal Communications
Companies that fail to see the communication potential of smart devices are in for a surprise. Salespeople talk all day with clients on their mobile phones. Supervisors walk around with their tablets collecting information and generating reports. Accounting and IT all have their desktops running programs and apps. Managers and executives consult their laptops, discussing the latest reports from the field. Conference rooms frequently feature a smart TV and interactive touchscreen for sharing presentations and videos during meetings.

Smart TVs and interactive touchscreens are particularly welcome upgrades to the traditional trio of whiteboards, projectors, and video players. When sharing announcements, new company directives, or updates on current projects, these Android-TV-powered devices do the job better and more efficiently. There’s no need to have maintenance drag in separate pieces of old-school hardware. Instead, presenters can simply turn on the smart TV, make sure it’s connected to the network, and load the presentation.

Android TV Manager: Broadcasting Quality of Life Updates and Sessions
Outside of meetings, the same smart TVs and interactive touchscreens can serve as running digital billboards. This could include broadcasting everything from today’s schedule of activities to reminders or even current advertising campaigns. It’s a great way to keep everyone updated on company information. 

You can also use smart TVs and touchscreens for sharing motivational messages and relaxation techniques. These messages could be about something quite simple—such as a cue to take a break and walk around after a long stretch of work. However, hardworking or stressed employees can be a great reminder to prioritize a healthy work-life balance.

As good as all this sounds, what about those employees with remote assignments? Not every location has a digital billboard, but employees still have access to company-issued phones, tablets, and laptops. With an Android TV manager, it’s simple to broadcast the same messages to them as to their in-office co-workers. Further, in the event of an urgent announcement, Android TV manager can replay the same message to all employees, regardless of where they’re based. As such, receiving out-of-date, secondhand information on company milestones, quarterly filings, or even productivity incentives, becomes a thing of the past.

Optimizing Employee Communications via Android TV Device Management
The key to optimal employee communications is making sure the needed devices are working properly and performing optimally. Whether installed at office headquarters or deployed wherever remote employees are based, company devices should be running the latest OS versions, while all apps must be similarly updated.

Although the IT department can get the job done in-office, they’ll have a harder time keeping up with field-based employees and remote workers if they manage updates manually. An Android TV manager that can perform updates over the air (OTA) solves the challenge of multiple, widely dispersed devices. The right device manager will seamlessly connect to all devices in the corporate network and perform critical updates or fixes—whether by batch or across the entire fleet.

A good device management platform can also ensure the integrity and security of all devices in the network. Having an outsider access a corporate device or hack into remote systems can cause a significant setback. Thankfully, the best device managers not only assign different access levels for different user types but can also remotely take over a connected device to prevent data theft or vandalism. Further, administrators have the power to remotely freeze devices displaying abnormal behavior. Added to this, they can also wipe data should intruders manage to gain access.

Effective Employee Communications Require More Than Just Office-Based Devices
Keeping everyone informed and engaged requires regular doses of effective employee communication. That said, organizations today likely have employees in more than a single location. In fact, enterprises tend to have plenty of satellite offices, overseas installations, and work-from-home employees.

Making sure everybody is on the same page requires solid network connectivity and always-ready smart devices. This type of setup lets companies share the latest information, critical announcements, and motivational messages without fear of marginalizing anyone.

Open communication channels make an employee more engaged and productive, underlining how crucial it is for management to ensure direct and inclusive communications all round. At the same time, companies need a reliable device management platform to keep communication devices well-managed, well-maintained, and well-secured. This way, everybody has access to the same information—no matter where they are.