The pandemic, the consequent economic bubble, the crash, the lay-offs, the WFO-WFH battle, and about a 100 more things have changed the de-facto cultural relationship between companies and employees.
All the above factors have fractured the baseline trust between a company and its employee. Especially the top 1% worker. As they get more experienced, they start valuing culture, perks, and freedom more than a potential salary hike. Why? If you work 40 hours a week for 30 years, that’s 62,000+ hours of your life. Once you reach your target income, your priorities shift towards work-life balance. As an employee, you want these hours to be as less miserable as possible.
As an employer, you want to facilitate this. You want your employees to be happy. Not eye-ing the door for the first next opportunity they get out the door. To achieve this, you need tools that boost employee engagement.
That’s why Employee Experience tools matter. At Slite, we use a bunch of them. In this blog, we’ll explain why we use them, which ones we pick, and which ones should matter to you.
What is an Employee Experience Platform?
An Employee Experience Platform (EXP) is a digital hub that brings together tools and resources to enhance every stage of the employee journey – from onboarding to offboarding. As an employee engagement platform, it provides tools for employee recognition, peer feedback, relationship building, engagement surveys, performance management, and continuous feedback.
Think of it like this:
- Your employees are the heart of your company.
- An EXP is the circulatory system that keeps everything flowing smoothly. It ensures everyone is connected, informed, and empowered to do their best work.
You should care if…
Here are a few signs it might be time to invest in one:
- Your top talent is jumping ship: High turnover? Your best people might be craving a better workplace experience.
- Glassdoor is giving you the side-eye: Negative reviews? It could mean your employees aren’t feeling heard or valued, impacting employee satisfaction.
- Referrals are MIA: If your employees aren’t recommending your company to their friends, something’s not right.
- Dream candidates are ghosting you: Can’t attract top talent? Your employer brand might need a boost.
- Your team is running on fumes: Burnt-out employees aren’t productive. An EXP can
Most used features
While EXPs offer many features, these 5 features are the most used and have the highest impact on Employee Experience:
- Onboarding Programs: Comprehensive onboarding programs help new employees integrate smoothly into the company culture and processes.
- Learning and Development: Continuous learning opportunities and career development programs keep employees engaged and motivated.
- Employee Feedback Tools: Tools for capturing employee feedback, such as real-time pulse surveys, help measure engagement, satisfaction, and well-being. These insights are crucial for continuous improvement and enhancing the overall employee experience.
- Recognition and Rewards: Recognizing and rewarding employees for their contributions boosts morale and encourages high performance.
- Well-being Programs: Initiatives focused on physical, mental, and emotional well-being support a healthy and productive workforce.
1. Employee Recognition & Rewards
Feeling valued is a basic human need and EXPs tap into that. They make it easy to give shoutouts, badges, leaderboards, and even small rewards. This creates a culture of appreciation where good work doesn’t go unnoticed. This boosts morale, increases employee engagement, and motivates employees to go the extra mile.
2. Communication & Collaboration Tools
Many EXPs integrate instant messaging, project management boards, document sharing, and video conferencing eliminate the need for juggling multiple apps, reducing friction and saving valuable time. These tools promote seamless teamwork, regardless of whether your team is remote, in-office, or hybrid.
3. Pulse Surveys & Feedback Mechanisms
Top performers crave regular feedback and opportunities to share their thoughts and concerns. EXPs with built-in employee surveys, pulse surveys, and feedback mechanisms allow for exactly that. This actually creates transparency to identify issues proactively, leading to higher employee retention.
4. Learning & Development Resources
Employees want to grow and develop their skills. EXPs that offer learning and development resources, such as training courses, webinars, mentorship programs, and skill development opportunities, are highly valued by employees who are eager to advance their careers. These tools also benefit employers by boosting productivity, improving retention rates, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
5. Wellbeing & Mental Health Support
The modern workplace can be demanding, and EXPs that prioritize employee well-being are gaining popularity. By offering resources for stress management, mindfulness, work-life balance, and even access to mental health professionals, these platforms show employees that their well-being matters. This leads to a happier, healthier, and more engaged workforce.
7 Best Employee Experience Platforms
The 7 best Employee Experience platforms, according to us, are:
- Slite
- Bonusly
- Zapier
- Zendesk
- Donut
- Oliva
- BambooHR
1. Slite
Slite is a knowledge base that doubles as a powerful collaboration hub, designed to keep your team connected and informed. As an employee experience software, it offers a range of features to enhance productivity and collaboration.
Key features for Employee Experience:
- AI Search: Slite’s advanced AI-powered search helps employees quickly find the information they need, reducing frustration and boosting productivity. Say goodbye to endless scrolling and digging through outdated documents.
- Mobile App for Deskless Workers: Empower your frontline teams with a mobile app that puts company knowledge, communication, and collaboration tools right at their fingertips, even when they’re not at a desk.
- Customer Service Knowledge Base: Slite isn’t just for internal use. It doubles as a customer service knowledge base, ensuring consistent messaging and faster issue resolution.
- Collaboration Across Teams & Code: Whether your team is marketing, engineering, or anything in between, Slite facilitates seamless collaboration on documents, projects, and even code snippets.
- Intuitive Interface & Rich Sharing: Slite’s user-friendly design and rich sharing features make it easy for everyone to contribute and stay in the loop, regardless of their tech savviness.
- Integrations with Your Favorite Apps: Slite seamlessly integrates with popular tools like Slack, Google Drive, and more, so you can access and share information without leaving your workflow.
- Knowledge Management Panel: Organize your company’s collective knowledge into a structured, searchable hub, making it easy for everyone to find the information they need, when they need it.
In short: Slite empowers your team to work smarter, not harder, by centralizing knowledge, streamlining communication, and fostering a culture of collaboration. It’s a game-changer for employee experience, productivity, and overall company success.
2. Bonusly
Bonusly is a fun and engaging platform specifically designed for peer-to-peer recognition and rewards. It injects a dose of positivity and appreciation into your workplace culture, making employees feel seen and valued for their contributions.
Key Features for Employee Experience:
- Peer-to-Peer Recognition: Bonusly empowers employees to recognize each other’s efforts in real time, fostering a culture of appreciation and camaraderie.
- Customizable Rewards: Go beyond generic gift cards. Bonusly lets you create a catalog of rewards tailored to your company’s unique culture and employee preferences.
- Gamification Elements: Leaderboards, badges, and social sharing features make recognition fun and engaging, encouraging ongoing participation.
- Insights & Analytics: Track recognition trends, identify top performers, and measure the impact of recognition on engagement and productivity.
In short: Bonusly isn’t just about handing out rewards; it’s about creating a positive feedback loop that reinforces desired behaviors, strengthens team bonds, and ultimately boosts employee morale and satisfaction.
3. Zapier
Zapier isn’t an EXP in the traditional sense, but it plays a huge role in enhancing employee experience by automating repetitive tasks and connecting the different apps your team uses daily.
Key Features for Employee Experience:
- Workflow Automation: Zapier lets you create “Zaps” that automate tedious tasks like data entry, notifications, and reminders. This frees up your employees’ time for more meaningful work, reducing frustration and boosting productivity.
- App Integrations: Connect all your favorite tools like Slack, Gmail, Google Calendar, Trello, and hundreds more. By integrating these apps, you create a seamless workflow where information flows effortlessly between systems, eliminating the need for manual data transfer.
- Customizable Zaps: Tailor Zapier to your specific needs. Whether you want to automatically add new leads to your CRM, send Slack notifications for project updates, or schedule social media posts, Zapier’s flexibility has you covered.
- Increased Efficiency: By automating repetitive tasks and connecting your apps, Zapier reduces human error and streamlines processes. This means your employees can focus on their core responsibilities, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
In short: Zapier acts as a virtual assistant, taking care of the mundane tasks that drain your employees’ time and energy. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that can significantly improve efficiency, collaboration, and overall employee experience.
4. Zendesk
Zendesk is a customer service software platform that, while primarily designed for external customer interactions, can also significantly enhance internal employee experience.
Key Features for Employee Experience:
- Self-Service Help Center: Employees can easily find answers to their questions or troubleshoot issues themselves through a comprehensive help center, reducing their reliance on IT or HR for support.
- Ticketing System for Internal Issues: Employees can submit requests or report problems through a streamlined ticketing system, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed promptly.
- Knowledge Base for Company Information: Centralize and organize company policies, procedures, benefits information, and other important resources in a searchable knowledge base, accessible to all employees.
- Community Forums for Collaboration: Foster a sense of community and knowledge sharing through internal forums where employees can ask questions, exchange ideas, and learn from each other.
- Improved Communication with HR & IT: Zendesk facilitates smoother communication between employees and support teams, ensuring timely and efficient resolution of issues.
In short: By providing employees with self-service tools, clear communication channels, and a central repository of information, Zendesk empowers them to take ownership of their own needs and find solutions quickly, ultimately improving their overall work experience.
5. Donut
Donut is a Slack integration designed to foster connections and build community within your organization. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that promotes cross-functional collaboration, mentorship, and social interaction, especially in remote or hybrid work environments.
Key Features for Employee Experience:
- Virtual Coffee & Donut Breaks: Donut randomly pairs employees for virtual coffee or donut breaks, encouraging informal conversations and relationship building. It’s a great way to combat isolation and foster a sense of camaraderie, even when teams are geographically dispersed.
- Mentoring & Onboarding Programs: Donut facilitates structured mentorship and onboarding programs, connecting new hires with experienced employees. This helps new employees integrate into the company culture more smoothly and accelerates their learning curve.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Donut can be used to create channels for employees from different departments to connect and exchange ideas, breaking down silos and promoting innovation.
- Fun & Engaging Activities: Beyond coffee chats, Donut can be used to organize virtual team-building activities, lunch-and-learns, or even virtual happy hours, injecting a bit of fun into the workday and boosting morale.
In short: Donut brings the “water cooler” experience to the digital workplace, creating opportunities for serendipitous connections, fostering a sense of belonging, and boosting employee morale. It’s a simple yet effective tool for enhancing employee experience and building a strong company culture.
6. Oliva
Oliva is a mental health and well-being platform designed to support employees’ mental and emotional health, fostering a more positive and productive work environment. It goes beyond traditional employee assistance programs (EAPs) by offering proactive and personalized support.
Key Features for Employee Experience:
- Personalized Mental Health Support: Oliva provides employees with access to licensed therapists for one-on-one sessions, group therapy, and workshops on various mental health topics. This allows employees to address their individual needs and concerns in a confidential and supportive environment.
- Proactive Wellbeing Programs: Oliva goes beyond reactive support by offering proactive well-being programs designed to reduce stress, improve resilience, and promote overall mental well-being. This can include guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, stress management tools, and educational content on topics like sleep hygiene and nutrition.
- Manager Training & Resources: Oliva equips managers with the knowledge and tools to identify signs of stress or burnout in their team members and to create a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Anonymity & Confidentiality: Employees can access Oliva’s services anonymously, ensuring complete privacy and discretion. This encourages employees to seek help without fear of stigma or repercussions.
In short: Oliva recognizes that mental health is a critical component of overall well-being and employee experience. By providing personalized, proactive, and confidential support, Oliva helps companies create a healthier and more productive workforce.
7. BambooHR
BambooHR is a comprehensive HR platform that simplifies and streamlines core HR functions, from hiring and onboarding to performance management and employee data tracking. It’s particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses seeking an all-in-one solution for their HR needs.
Key Features for Employee Experience:
- Streamlined Onboarding: BambooHR’s onboarding features make it easy to welcome new hires and get them up to speed quickly. Automated workflows, e-signatures, and customizable onboarding checklists ensure a smooth transition for new employees.
- Performance Management Tools: Track goals, schedule performance reviews, and gather feedback with BambooHR’s performance management tools. These features encourage open communication, improve goal alignment, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Centralized Employee Database: Keep all your employee information organized and easily accessible in a centralized database. This includes personal details, compensation history, performance reviews, and more.
- Employee Self-Service Portal: Empower employees to update their own information, request time off, access company documents, and view their benefits information, reducing the administrative burden on HR.
- Reporting & Analytics: Gain valuable insights into your workforce with BambooHR’s reporting and analytics tools. Track turnover rates, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to enhance employee experience.
In short: BambooHR acts as the backbone of your HR operations, automating manual processes, improving data accuracy, and providing employees with self-service tools that empower them to manage their own information and development.
Choosing the right EXPs
Choosing the right employee experience management software for your company is a big decision. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as the best fit depends on your specific needs, budget, and company culture.
To bring some focus to your decision-making process, here are some key things to think about:
- Company Size & Industry: Some EXPs are better for small teams, while others work best for larger companies. Also, consider the specific challenges of your industry.
- Key Features: What are your biggest pain points? Do you need to boost morale, make communication easier, or improve how you welcome new hires? Prioritize the features that tackle your biggest challenges.
- Budget: EXPs come at different price points. Decide how much you can spend upfront. Some platforms have free options with fewer features, while others charge monthly or yearly fees.
- Ease of Use: Pick a platform that’s intuitive and easy for everyone to use, not just the tech whizzes.
- Integrations: Make sure the EXP can work with the tools you already use, like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or your HR software.
Feeling overwhelmed? Start small.
If budget is a concern, start by tackling your most pressing needs with free or low-cost options. You can always add more features later.
Remember, the goal is to create a workplace where your employees feel valued and empowered. The right EXP can help you get there. Some platforms even offer a free trial, allowing you to experience the product before making a purchase decision.
Need a helping hand?
Why not check out Slite? It’s a versatile platform that combines knowledge management with powerful collaboration features, specifically designed to support HR professionals in enhancing the employee experience and facilitating HR processes. Whether you’re a small startup or a growing enterprise, Slite can help you create a more connected, informed, and engaged workforce.
Ready to see how Slite can transform your employee experience? Book a demo with us today!
