Why CEOs Are Prioritising Employee Experience in the Modern Workplace

The workplace has transformed dramatically in recent years. With 80% of employees now operating in hybrid environments, organisations face unparalleled ’employee experience’ (EX) challenges keeping their teams engaged, connected, and aligned with company culture.

This shift has given rise to what many call an “experience gap”—a disconnect where traditional communication methods no longer suffice to foster meaningful engagement or a sense of belonging.

The Challenge: Engagement Hits Historic Lows

Recent research paints a sobering picture. Employee engagement and commitment have plummeted to record lows, with over half of U.S. workers reportedly “quietly quitting”—going through the motions without true investment in their roles. The cost of this disengagement is staggering. Gallup estimates that low engagement drains the global economy of £7.8 trillion annually.

It’s no surprise, then, that Gartner’s latest findings highlight maintaining employee engagement and emotional ties to company culture as the top challenge for CEOs today.

This isn’t just a fleeting trend—it’s a fundamental shift. The hybrid model has fractured the traditional office-centric approach to connection, leaving leaders scrambling to bridge the gap. For CEOs, Managing Partners, CTOs, CIOs, HR Directors, IT Directors, IT Managers and many more stakeholders, the stakes are high.

Disengaged employees don’t just hurt morale; they undermine productivity, retention, and ultimately, the bottom line.

The Technology Gap

Compounding this challenge is a fragmented digital workplace. Many organisations have accumulated a patchwork of communication and engagement tools—legacy intranets, email newsletters, messaging platforms like Slack and Teams—without a cohesive centre.

The result? Poor adoption and scattered focus. Legacy intranets gather digital dust, emails pile up unread, and whilst messaging apps excel at quick exchanges, they fall short of building cultural cohesion or reaching frontline workers, who account for 60-70% of the global workforce. These deskless employees—think retail staff, factory workers, or healthcare professionals—often feel disconnected from the broader organisation, exacerbating the experience gap.

The tools of the past weren’t built for today’s distributed reality. They lack the flexibility to unify a workforce spread across offices, homes, and field locations. Without a centralised, purpose-driven solution, organisations struggle to deliver consistent messaging, reinforce values, or create a shared sense of purpose.

The Solution: Employee Experience Platforms

Enter Employee Experience Platforms (EXPs)—a modern answer to these pressing challenges. These platforms are reshaping how organisations connect with their people by addressing the core needs of a hybrid workforce. Here’s how:

– Unifying Communication Channels: Rather than forcing employees to navigate a maze of tools, an EXP serves as a single hub for all internal communications—everything from company-wide updates to team shout-outs.
– Fostering Genuine Engagement: Features like peer recognition, social interactions, and community spaces help build emotional bonds that transcend physical distance, making employees feel valued and heard.
– Bringing Company Culture to Life Digitally: Culture isn’t confined to office walls anymore. EXPs enable organisations to weave their values and identity into the daily experience of distributed teams.

One standout example is Workvivo by Zoom, a platform designed to simplify communication and boost engagement across all levels of an organisation. Integrated seamlessly with Zoom’s collaboration ecosystem, it offers a mobile-first, intuitive solution that caters to both desk-based and frontline workers—closing the gap where legacy tools falter.

Proven Business Impact

The value of investing in employee experience isn’t just theoretical—it’s measurable. A 2024 Forrester Total Economic Impact™ study underscores the tangible returns organisations see when adopting a modern EXP like Workvivo by Zoom. The numbers speak for themselves: explore how businesses have benefited from our solutions

– 228% Return on Investment (ROI): A clear signal that the benefits far outweigh the costs.
– £8.4 Million Net Present Value Over Three Years: A substantial financial uplift over a short timeframe.
– Payback in Less Than Six Months: Rapid returns that justify the investment.

Breaking it down, the financial benefits include:

– £7.8 Million in Cost Savings: Achieved by phasing out outdated systems and streamlining processes.
– £1.7 Million in Efficiency Gains: Freeing up time for HR, communications, and IT teams.
– £2.4 Million in Frontline Retention: Keeping valuable deskless workers engaged and on board.
– £232,000 in Productivity Savings for Senior Directors: Allowing leadership to focus on strategy, not firefighting.

These financial wins translate into operational improvements that any leader would notice:

– 40% higher employee retention
– 37% lower absenteeism
– 22% increase in employee referrals
– 21% boost in productivity

The data is compelling: a robust employee experience drives not just morale but measurable business success.

The Future of Work Is Now

As the workplace continues to evolve, one truth stands out: the organisations that thrive will be those that place employee experience at the heart of their strategy. This requires a shift in mindset and tools, focusing on:

– Open Communication: Giving every employee a voice, regardless of role or location.
– Mobile-First Solutions: Ensuring accessibility for both desk and frontline workers.
– Digital Community Spaces: Building a sense of belonging in a distributed world.
– Actionable Insights: Measuring sentiment and engagement to refine strategies.

Workvivo by Zoom embodies these principles. Its integration with Zoom’s platform—known for seamless meetings, chat, and collaboration—creates a one-stop shop for communication and engagement.

Features like peer recognition, company updates, and community hubs bring culture to life digitally, whilst its mobile accessibility ensures no one is left out. For IT leaders, the platform’s ability to consolidate tools reduces complexity; for HR and executives, it delivers the analytics needed to track and enhance engagement.

Moving Forward

Transitioning to a digital-first workplace isn’t just about adopting new technology—it’s about putting people first. Success hinges on tools that go beyond basic communication to actively nurture connection and belonging. By embracing a comprehensive EXP, organisations can close the experience gap, ensuring every employee feels informed, included, and engaged—no matter where they work.

Employee experience isn’t a luxury—it’s a business imperative. The Forrester study proves that investments in platforms like Workvivo by Zoom yield significant returns, from cost savings to stronger retention and productivity. Organisations that act on this insight will be best positioned to attract top talent, sustain vibrant cultures, and drive long-term growth.

Start Your Journey

As a Zoom partner with expertise across all three Zoom Up partner competencies and over 80 individual team certifications, Marlin Communications brings deep experience in helping businesses optimise their communication strategies and build connected, collaborative workplaces with Zoom.

Curious how Workvivo by Zoom could elevate employee engagement in your organisation? Reach out to us at 0800 032 8274 to connect with a Solutions Consultant. We’re ready to discuss your needs and offer a personalised 1:1 demo tailored to your business.

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