Unread emails are more than just annoying. In many cases, they’re problematic. Ensuring that your employees receive and read all information is vital during daily operations within the workplace. Over the last two decades, texting has become a popular tool for personal and business communication. However, texting should not just end at external communication and 70 percent of professionals believe that texting should be used at the workplace. They believe that it is time to trade up unanswered emails, spam, and social media for space where communication is instant and always happening: your cell phone. So, in this short article, we are going to learn how businesses can leverage the power of text messaging using SMS API to improve internal communications and exchange real-time information with employees more efficiently. 

Texting at the Work Place

The workplace has changed and conventional managers like to believe that employees spend or should spend all of their time working, which is definitely not the case. A recent survey found that employees spend around 40-50 minutes per day on their cellphones for personal business while at work. In recent times, this practice was questionable and subject to moderate or strict disciplinary action but modern managers like to capitalize on this trend and turn the cellphone into a tool for real-time internal communication. 

Why Use Bulk Texting for Employee & Internal Communication

Over 60 percent of business leaders stated that one of their top priorities was to improve internal communication channels as soon as possible. However, the bigger issue at hand is the struggle to implement the change to improve communication within the organization. There are many factors that come into play like:

1. Employee’s resistance to learning and adapting to new tools
2. Reluctance to download multiple apps for different purposes
3. Too many programs to manage
4. Technology fatigue and vexation

Organizations are always in the need to reduce expenditure and find cost-effective solutions that don’t require any extra training or time. The solution has always been right at the fingertips of probably everyone. Texting is known for being the most popular and reliable communication channel in the world and many businesses have discovered its potential already. Here are some key facts about SMS that show its cost-effectiveness:

1. Text messaging costs pennies per text to send
2. Virtually every cellphone has texting functionality
3. Texting is familiar to everyone so it doesn’t have any kind of a learning curve
4. Cellphone inboxes are typically a space for personal contacts so they are not clogged like emails
5. No internet required to receive messages making it great for mobile employees

How to Text Your Employees

Internal communication in businesses using text messaging is possible, but it has to be handled legally and properly. Using a mass texting service, you do not need to use your personal device to send text messages. So, this is where Text API comes in. It is basically a bridge that connects your business website or software application with the texting service using which you can send text messages programmatically. This comes in extremely handy if you have multiple team members, so you can send real-time notifications, alerts, reminders and other peer-peer messages. All messages sent using SMS API are logged and secured allowing businesses to have a permanent catalog of information exchanged. 

Examples of Text Messages Sent to Employees

It only makes sense to send text messages to employees that contain relevant and/or time-sensitive information. Here are a few use cases where executing internal communication using SMS API might come in handy for employers.

1. HR Updates

Information like salary notifications, policy changes, benefits, and deadlines are crucial communications. Missing out on these sensitive updates could get employees in trouble. These text messages do not need to have detailed information but rather a brief and concise version of the same information with the inclusion of a link to the full version. Many businesses often sent text their employees informing about and update and asking employees to check their emails for the documents or further information. 

2. Security Alerts

Contingencies or single-use plans come into play in worst-case scenarios, so it is important for businesses to be prepared. If there is an urgent situation or hazard, businesses can send real-time emergency alerts to their employees. 

3. Employee Incentive

A healthy and productive workplace is one where employees are valued and appreciated. One study even found that happy employees are 25% more productive than unhappy employees. This is important in creating a positive company culture and text messaging is a smart way to boost office morale.

Other use cases include employee feedback, shift scheduling, quick reminders, transaction messages like invoices, receipts and expense reports as well as holiday notifications and also connecting with remote workers.