6 Top Tips on How Not to Lose the Human Experience

I love the many tools available as a way of engaging employees and also in making work easier, however there is one thing that I think we should never lose sight of...the human element. The tools are great and can be a major part of building the employee experience -  but only part. Humans need human contact and there is a danger that incorporating the tools can lead to less human connection. Here are my Top 6 tips

• Technology should replace paper and process not total  human contact. There are times when you can use technology such as a podcast for disperse teams but even then it should not be a relacement for the human voice but an enhancement.
• Incorporate human stories into the blog and podcasts to give the human element. For example, on your website have people within your organisation explaining why they have trusted their career to you...you can incorporate the "humanness" into your content rather than relying on the tool itself.
• Technology such as Wiki's can be a great back up to your human capital. Again, don't forget that people create ideas, people generate the buzz so keep the ideas coming through with as much physical connection as possible. Create sessions and workplaces that nurture the ideas in the first place.
• Networking events are still a great place to find contacts, search for talent, look for inspiration. Although, you can often read the blog or hear the podcast you don't get the interaction in the coffee breaks about how to take the ideas forward.
• Leadership is about being present, about visibility. The technology can help different time zones etc but it should never be used as an excuse not to be visible within the business. It is your eyes and ears that will see and hear the realities of what is working and not working within your business. The techology can be a great way to get a message out and an element of feedback, but the power is then in the reinforcement of the ideas during face to face discussions.
• Always remember that some people are afraid of technology, out of lack of understanding or appearing "stupid!". Ensure that as you incorporate technology people are supported with their knowledge growth, so that they feel comfortable understanding the new technology but also the benefits to them as an individual.

I was speaking to someone yesterday who wanted to replace his team sessions with podcasts as he hated presenting......he saw technology as a way out. For me that is not the answer, technology is an enhancement not a replacement.