How to Use Videos to Optimize the Flexible Working Model

By adopting future-facing working models, employees can enjoy a better work-life balance, where before, juggling their work and personal lives was a constant struggle. Studies have even shown that employees are willing to work longer hours to retain the benefits of working from home. However, these new ways of working aren’t without their inherent flaws.

Productivity, employee engagement and retention are difficult to manage when staff aren’t in the same place simultaneously. So how can businesses optimize new working models to create a positive environment where employees thrive? Video can help keep people connected and engaged.

Why use videos when working flexibly?

For all its benefits, working remotely can be isolating. Besides communications via email, services like Slack and rare visits to the office, employees have infinitely less time in the presence of their colleagues and managers. This can lead to a lack of engagement, synergy and, inevitably, employee retention.

It’s no secret that video conferencing software companies like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet have enjoyed incredible success — becoming the platforms of choice for virtual meetings — but video has a lot more to offer. Asynchronous videos add a personal touch to internal and external communications without the inevitable connection issues, interruptions and background noise.

Text-based and audio-only communications are best suited to delivering short, simple messages, while a video can help explain processes in detail, providing more engaging information.

How to use video when working remotely

If you’ve adopted a flexible, remote or hybrid working model, video can promote a healthier company culture by enhancing the entire employee experience:

1.  Maximize hiring potential

Short, compelling videos can help you advertise your organisation effectively. Including a video to your business — or a video about the advertised role — will pique the interest of top candidates who have options. You’re likely to receive more applications for vacancies by including video than purely text alone.

2.  Optimize onboarding

Once you’ve landed a fantastic hire, you need to make them feel welcome. Use videos to introduce key people — a quick hello from the CEO, department managers and the new employees’ colleagues — to help make everyone at your organization feel approachable. This will encourage new employees to be seen and heard no matter their position within the company.

3.    Enhance training and development

Visual aids should accompany checklists to help explain complex processes. Videos can show in precise detail how employees should complete a particular task, removing uncertainty or obscurity. This can help employee progression, allowing them to become competent more quickly.

4.  Celebrate employee success

Employees can easily become dejected if their efforts go unnoticed. While pay rises might not be feasible, there’s plenty you can do to help your employees feel like they’re making a difference within your organization. A simple “thank you” video for their continued efforts under challenging circumstances goes a long way!

5.  Increase employee retention

Employee engagement is one of the key indicators of retention. Staff who slip off your radar, become aloof or disengaged with their work are likely to quit or start seeking opportunities elsewhere. Promoting engagement throughout the entire employee lifecycle can mitigate engagement and retention issues, and video is the ideal medium to enhance internal communication.

Optimizing the flexible working model

Video can greatly enhance contemporary working models. While audio-only and text-based communications are still valuable for delivering short, concise updates, video meetings and asynchronous video communication are ideal for creating a close-knit working environment that benefits both employees and employers.