Wyzetalk, the African leader in social business software (SBS), has 'democratised' its enterprise communication and collaboration suite with the launch of Wyzetalk Workforce. Originally designed for smart devices and Web-enabled PCs, the platform now also supports feature phones, thanks to the Workforce module.
Enterprise communities
Gys Kappers, CEO of Wyzetalk, says Wyzetalk Enterprise, the company's core offering, has helped companies including EOH, Protea Hotels, Discovery, Deli Spices, Synchron and Cash Crusaders, among others, form high-impact communities with their staff, customers and partners.
"As a communication and collaboration tool, it helps organisations retain knowledge, drum up corporate spirit, get new employees up to speed, collaborate on business-purpose projects, foster innovation and improve customer service by creating highly engaged communities. But these virtues have not reached workers, given the reliance of tools on high-end devices."
Winning with worker communities
Kappers says large enterprises with big workforces have a real need for connecting with these workers, especially in environments such as mining, logistics and manufacturing. Typically, leaders in these environments are challenged by a multicultural labour force with low literacy levels, which introduces other barriers to communicating using traditional channels.
"These businesses often suffer interruptions which incur massive costs, and as a result, desperately need a way to connect directly with their staff."
The logical choice
This has led Wyzetalk to develop a communication solution for feature phones, as these devices are commonplace in lower-LSM groups. "Feature phones were the logical choice of platform to target workers, because of their widespread adoption and cost-effectiveness," says Kappers.
Wyzetalk Workforce is an optional extension to Wyzetalk Enterprise. The technology allows businesses to reach workers through communication broadcasts, including announcements and surveys using mobile phones, and incentivises participation through airtime vouchers, so the worker's airtime isn't negatively impacted as a result of work, health and other important communication.
In conjunction, Wyzetalk Data Analysis Services consolidate and translate responses and information obtained in this way, reporting summary results back to relevant audiences in the Wyzetalk Enterprise community to improve the accuracy and speed with which the decision-makers are able to respond.
Benefits
The intelligence captured, interpreted and discussed by the leadership team can be used to fuel innovations, improve business processes, take preventative action or remedy a situation in a much quicker timeframe.
Kappers says the solution further gives companies the ability to communicate in real-time with their entire workforce.
Communication can further be coupled with a reward system to encourage improved performance.
Examples
It is only in real life situations that the benefits of Wyzetalk Workforce become clear.
Business case one
In one scenario, a mine might find workers from one shaft resigning more frequently than in another. HR might conclude that working conditions are to blame, but would need to confirm this.
A single or multiple broadcast message bearing an open survey to the affected workers at this particular shaft will reveal issues, which can be analysed, consolidated and grouped with Wyzetalk Enterprise in a way that makes sense to the business.
Business case two
In another common business case, a company may want to schedule voluntary training for 3 000 workers. Taking place over one week, this would leave little margin for error with scheduling.
When workers are scattered across regions and locations, communicating course specifics and polling workers for preferred time slots is daunting, both logistically and in its potential impact on productivity.
Using Wyzetalk Workforce, HR can broadcast course details and options via SMS. Workers can respond, stating whether they will attend and on which day. Wyzetalk Data Analysis Services will additionally supply HR with a consolidated roster. Any amendments will trigger notifications to employees.
Unique
Kappers says no other tool combines mobile communication and data gathering with social enterprise principles, enabling collaboration across the entire enterprise, including workers (and external stakeholders) that can be mined for business benefit.
In addition, it is uniquely accessible. "Wyzetalk is for every business that wants to engage, communicate and collaborate with their employees from the top down and from the bottom up," concludes Kappers.
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