In my last post, I discussed Dell’s IdeaStorm website which is allowing Dell to collaborate with their consumers more easily and rapidly. Dell’s EmployeeStorm is the same idea as their IdeaStorm but for their employees. Because Dell wanted to keep their employees’ ideas internally, they developed this site for them to communicate with one another. This is a great site because there is not just one group talking on the site, the employees on the site range from human resource officers to sales associates and it really helps to get the whole company on the same page collaborating on what is best for the company.
In an interview from Ragan Communications, Vida Killian discusses EmployeeStorm and its importance in being transparent. She said that because the employees were required to use their names by their suggestions, there was less fear involved with the internal site. She also said that it helps the employees be more informed about Web 2.0 and social media and their importance. You want to make sure that your employees are putting on the best face for your company.
Before EmployeeStorm, Dell was taking a lot of heat from bloggers and other web forums. In an article from statesman.com, Omar Gallaga spoke with Caroline Dietz about the heat that Dell was receiving and that one of the steps Dell took to combat the fire was to create this site. Dietz brought up a great point that not only are Dell’s employees their staff, but most times they are also their customers, and it is important to hear their concerns also.
Vida Killian on EmployeeStorm:
I like the fact that Dell made both an internal site for employees and an external site for customers. It is important for a company to pay attention to its employees. Of course the happiness of customers is vital, employees satisfaction is also crucial. When an employee is unhappy with the company they work for, they could take out their anger and frustration on the company. This is bad for all parties involved. I would like to see more companies doing what Dell has done with interacting and collaborating with their employees and customers. Or at least more companies discussing it. I know that I would personally want to work for a company like Dell in that they are trying to listen and help their staff.
I agree with Veronica’s comment. I really like how Dell created EmployeeStorm for their employees. I think it is a great way for all employees at Dell to be able to communicate with each other no matter what department they are in. EmployeeStorm is also the perfect place for employees to exchange ideas and thoughts. It gives them a voice in the company. Since many employees are also customers, they need a place to give their comments and concerns.
Vida Killian’s interview about EmployeeStorm was very professional and informative. I agree with her comment that EmployeeStorm adds to the company’s transparency. I think it is wise to require employees to use their names when they make suggestions or comments because it would be rare that something would be said to hurt the company. Requiring names would be a good suggestion to other companies that are hesitant about starting a similar forum. This would give the companies less fear with starting an internal blog.