Encourage users to Interact on your platform

Let users actively participate in discussions and conversations, provide feedback and interact with each other

For an organization, it is important that “top-down” posts are well read and thus that there are enough views on the platform. But the platform only really comes to life when users themselves actively participate. This creates more engagement and mutual connection. It can also provide a sense of inclusion and encourage further conversations.

In this article, you'll read about what you can do to increase interaction on the platform and we'll highlight a few topics:

1. Promote dialogues
2. Have smart conversations
3. Actively involve managers
4. Ambassadors
5. Use forms, polls and quizzes

Promote dialogues

Good example follows good practice. A platform where little interaction is visible also does not invite users to participate themselves. If posts have regular likes and comments, this also encourages others to participate.

By actively moderating and participating in conversations yourself, you can create specific threads where employees are encouraged to voice their opinions or ask questions.

 

Have smart conversations

Smart Conversations is a tool that allows organizations to increase employee engagement. Users receive a notification for a Smart Conversation via the program manager and can complete it via either the web version or Plek's mobile app. 

Participation is anonymous; results are never published on an individual basis. Still, the tool encourages interaction, as an active contribution is requested when going through the conversation. It is a much lower threshold for users to do the same on the same platform within a different context.

 

Actively involve managers

According to Gallup's “State of the American Workplace” report (2017), companies with engaged managers and board members have a 38% higher employee engagement rate. Active leadership creates trust and open communication, which encourages employees to be more engaged.

Managers and executives who themselves actively participate in discussions, complete polls or respond to posts act as an example for others to do the same. They set a tone for the rest of the organization. Employees are more likely to participate themselves when they see their supervisors actively using the platform.

Regularly posting a (weekly) update or blog from management/directors can thus encourage interaction. This creates a culture of active participation, openness and appreciation. It lowers the threshold.

Note: it is the tone that makes the music, so the reporting should obviously take this into account. Make sure that thinking or responding is actively encouraged. 

Ambassadors

Ambassadors play an important role in the adoption of an intranet, especially in the area of interaction. As direct “representatives” of the benefits of the platform, they are able to make colleagues realize the potential, for example, in the areas of knowledge sharing, collaboration and communication.

Ambassadors are able to foster a culture of collaboration and open communication. In addition to enthusiasm, an ideal ambassador sometimes provides hands-on support and helps colleagues in day-to-day use.

In 3 steps to a good ambassador group:

1. Identify suitable employees: Identify which employees in different departments are influential and willing to embrace change. Ask executives for suggestions and note people who are already actively involved in other initiatives within the organization.
2. Choose diverse representation: Select employees from different departments, job levels, and geographic locations (if applicable) to ensure ambassadors cover the entire organization and represent a wide range of perspectives.
3. Provide targeted training and support: Provide good basic training on the intranet, including key features, benefits, and peer mentoring. Support ambassadors with tools and regular updates.

What should a good ambassador meet?

• Enthusiasm for change: The ambassador must be open to new technologies and willing to embrace and promote them.
• Good communication skills: An ambassador must be able to communicate clearly, answer questions and motivate others.
• Affinity with technology: The ambassador must be able to easily master new technical solutions and bridge the gap between software and daily use by colleagues.
• Team player and influential: The ambassador must have respect and trust within his or her team so that colleagues easily approach him or her for help and advice.
• Availability: There must be sufficient time and space in regular work to effectively fulfill the ambassador role, including answering questions and providing support.
• Problem-solving ability: An ambassador must be able to proactively deal with problems experienced by colleagues, and be able to quickly provide solutions or refer to appropriate channels.

Use forms, polls and quizzes

With forms, polls and quizzes, your organization can easily gather feedback from users or get people to give their opinions on a particular topic. 

You can use forms in posts, pages and in the Program Manager. Forms can be shared with all users on the platform, with a limited number of users or within a group. Forms are available in the mobile app and in the browser version of Plek. 

Through this link you can find all the possibilities within Plek to collect feedback with a form, poll or quiz to increase interaction.

Other tips:

• Create interactive spaces: You can encourage interaction with forums, chat rooms or project groups.
• Encourage interaction: Encourage discussions and respond to posts.
• Respond to interactions: Show that you value your employees' input.
• Organize online events: For example, webinars or Q&A sessions can encourage interaction.