Firms that prioritize employee experience data see higher retention rates, improved collaboration, and greater innovation.
The world has come a long way since 1976. That was the year Boston released their first studio album, vaulting the band into stardom with an opening track that remains one of the most popular to ever grace the airwaves.
Believe it or not, it’s been almost 50 years since “More Than a Feeling” was released, but its chorus still rings as true as ever. Fifty years is a long time, and a lot has changed. One of the biggest changes we’ve seen, particularly in the AEC industry, is that business has evolved far beyond simply managing products and services. How firms handle their people has become as important as the products or services they offer. Now, the most successful firms are the ones that prioritize people.
We have seen this evolution in successful AEC firms that have come to view employee experience data as a critical measurement in things like their ability to attract and retain top talent. The firms that develop tools and relationships to track employee experience and sentiment data are more likely to see boosts in productivity and innovation. This success isn’t based on guesswork. It requires real-time insight into how employees feel, what they need, and how engaged they are. A data-driven approach to measuring employee sentiment allows organizations to make informed decisions that will ultimately drive overall business performance.
Look at the shift in workplace dynamics even over the last few years. Work environments and expectations have shifted drastically, which means traditional engagement surveys are no longer sufficient in capturing the data necessary to make informed decisions. These shifts will continue to occur. We must also evolve our methods of measuring and tracking employee experience data. We are far beyond annual employee check-in surveys.
Success in this evolving landscape means embracing new resources to measure employee sentiment data, including tools like Zweig Group’s Best Firms To Work For program. Best Firms To Work For has evolved far beyond an awards program to become the largest employee sentiment data set in the AEC industry, providing incredible insight to participating firms in how to drive positive employee experience.
Firms that successfully track employee experience and sentiment data are able to actively listen to their teams. This allows them to take meaningful action when the need arises. Firms that leverage employee sentiment data are better able to understand workforce trends, which means they can work proactively to improve in areas like recruitment and retention. This data allows firm leaders to identify coming challenges, improve workplace culture, and align employee needs with business goals.
“People-first” is more than a cultural buzzword. It’s more than a warm sentiment. And, forgive me, it’s more than a feeling.
Harnessing the power of employee experience and sentiment data presents firms with a strategic advantage. Firms that prioritize and successfully manage employee experience data perform better than those that don’t. Plain and simple. The firms that do prioritize employee experience data see higher employee retention rates, improved collaboration, and greater innovation. Best Firms To Work For data consistently demonstrates this year after year. When employees feel valued and heard, they are more invested in their work, and are more likely to contribute to a stronger organizational culture. Employee experience and sentiment data allows you to track engagement levels, identify pain points, and implement targeted improvements. This data can be used to foster an environment where employees thrive along with the business.
Still, this data only has value if organizations act on it. Often, companies conduct employee experience surveys, but fail to follow through for one reason or another. This leads to disengaged and skeptical employees. Rather, to be effective, firms must create a culture of transparency, which allows them to do things like share key findings, outline action plans, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement for the future.
The most successful AEC firms are able to go beyond simply collecting employee data. They use tools like the Best Firms To Work For program to make informed decisions that shape policies and refine workplace practices. Being able to see feedback leading to change increases trust among employees while improving engagement and strengthening company culture. Capitalizing on employee experience and sentiment data doesn’t have to be complex. By accessing tools like the Best Firms To Work For program, firms can gain a holistic view of their workforce. Firms that embrace a data-driven approach to employee experience not only enhance workplace satisfaction but also position themselves for sustained growth and success.
Like Boston said, it’s more than a feeling. Understanding how employees experience work and respond to their environment opens us to a whole new landscape where the room for growth is vast beyond comparison. I doubt they were thinking about the AEC industry when they were writing “More Than a Feeling” but that’s my interpretation and I’m sticking to it.
Chad Clinehens is president and CEO of Zweig Group. Contact him at cclinehens@zweiggroup.com.
