Discover three key lessons from our latest employee experience research, why they matter, and practical steps you can take to put them into action.
Employee experience has become a top priority for organisations navigating hybrid work, shifting employee expectations, and rapid digital transformation. But what’s actually working? Where are organisations falling short? And what’s next?
To answer these questions, we partnered with Ragan Communications to conduct employee experience research with more than 200 internal communicators. These statistics were among many eye-opening findings:
- 63% of internal communicators say their tech stack is slowing them down.
- Only 1% of internal communicators say they reach frontline employees effectively.
The findings reveal the state of employee experience today, and highlight the areas that need attention to build a strategy that truly connects and engages employees. Read on for lessons and resources to help your organization overcome these challenges.
Lesson 1: Assess your data foundation
Data is the backbone of any employee experience strategy. Yet, many organisations either aren’t collecting employee experience data at all or are gathering it in fragmented ways that don’t provide a full picture.
If you’re not collecting employee experience data, start the conversation now. If you are, audit what you have. Look for insights that can guide decisions about messaging, channels, budget, and overall impact. Partner with IT and HR to connect systems and ensure you’re seeing the complete employee journey.
Why this matters
Without reliable data, decisions are based on assumptions. A strong data foundation helps you:
- Measure the impact of your communications
- Identify gaps in engagement
- Justify investment in tools and resources
Action steps
- Review what data you currently collect (e.g., engagement surveys, intranet analytics, feedback loops)
- Identify gaps — are you missing sentiment analysis or channel performance metrics?
- Engage IT and HR to integrate systems for a holistic view
Lesson 2: Consolidate your analytics
Collecting data is one thing. Making sense of it is another. Many organisations struggle with fragmented analytics spread across multiple platforms — intranet dashboards, HR systems, survey tools, and more.
The result? A lack of clarity and missed opportunities to act on insights. Consolidating analytics into a single dashboard gives you a clearer view of performance and trends, enabling faster, smarter decisions.
Why this matters
When analytics are siloed, you can’t see the full picture. Consolidation enables:
- Unified reporting for leadership
- Easier identification of patterns and pain points
- More strategic planning based on real-time insights
Action steps
- Audit your current analytics tools and identify overlaps
- Explore integration options or platforms that centralise data
- Align ownership and governance to avoid duplication and confusion
Where to go from here
Both of these lessons point to the same challenge: making data work harder for you. It’s not just about collecting information — it’s about turning that information into insight. Our strategic blueprint for internal communicators measuring employee experience brings these ideas together. It covers how to set KPIs, choose meaningful metrics, and integrate systems so you can move from fragmented data to a unified, actionable view.
Lesson 3: Understand and engage deskless workers
Frontline and deskless employees often miss out on critical communications. They’re not sitting at a desk checking email or browsing the intranet — yet they’re essential to your organisation’s success.
To fix this, examine their daily routines and workflows. Design communication methods that cut through the noise and deliver only the most essential information. This could involve creative use of physical signage, digital screens, or mobile apps that allow workers to access resources on their own terms.
Why this matters
Disconnected employees can lead to lower engagement, productivity, and retention. Tailored communication ensures everyone feels informed and valued.
Action steps
- Map frontline workflows to understand when and how they can access information
- Identify barriers — is it lack of devices, connectivity, or time?
- Implement mobile-friendly or physical solutions that fit their reality
Next step
If this challenge sounds familiar, our article on building an employee experience strategy that puts the connected frontline worker at the center explores practical ways to make your EX strategy truly inclusive. From mobile-first approaches to creative offline solutions, it’s packed with ideas to help you reach every employee.
Want the full picture?
Download the complete research report.
