According to recent Gallup research, over 70% of American workers are not actively engaged in their work. Not only does this statistic contribute to an estimated $370 billion loss for the economy, but it also points to low job satisfaction and poor customer service. But Aberdeen Group research indicates that while many organizations place high importance on employee engagement, only 23% actually have a formal strategy in place. “Let’s get everyone engaged!” Sort of like “Go get some emotional intelligence!”

According to the Aberdeen report, nearly 50% of organizations that budget for employee engagement plan to increase spending in this area. The main challenge is determining the best placement for this investment. Technology, such as employee social media portals, is an obvious choice, but the top strategy for best-in-class companies is improving core communication, with an emphasis on consistent, frequent, and two-way processes. Implementing this strategy can be just as simple and transparent as putting up a virtual network. All it takes is a decision to use a practical system for improving interpersonal communication skills.