Many business leaders have experienced major workforce changes throughout the years. One of the biggest factors that impacted — and continues impacting — companies’ overall business strategies is evolving workforce communications.

The undeniable truth is, the success of every company, since the beginning of time, has relied on this one crucial business strategy. That’s why HR executives rank “provide open communications” as a top priority of their communications strategy, according to a 2016 report, The Missing Piece In The HR Technology Landscape, by EmployeeChannel, Inc.

Communication dates back over 40,000 years to cave drawings. That means even cavemen understood the importance of effectively relaying messages.

However, the rapidly changing workforce has transformed drastically since then, presenting many challenges for clear and effective communications with organizations. So, communication technology stepped it up and continues to do so. In fact, major technological advancements allow organizations everywhere to not only continue communicating, but also achieve things they never thought possible.

To understand exactly how workforce communications have evolved, EmployeeChannel, Inc. — a leading provider of workforce communication solutions — took a step back in time to connect the dots.

Here’s how workforce communications have evolved throughout the years to keep up with organizational changes:

  • Around 40,000 years ago, people began communicating through cave drawings.
  • In 1983, the internet, nicknamed the “network of networks,” was born, making communication instant and even more frequent.
  • In 1992, the first smartphone, IBM’s Simon, was introduced. You could use the Simon to make calls and send and receive emails, faxes, and pages.
  • The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) craze will further enhance employees’ availabilities and connections at work.
  • Constantly changing tools and more remote work will require leaders to focus on communication strategy planning and tools.

In today’s workforce, companies need to give communication strategies the same amount of attention as business strategies:

What predictions do you have for communications in the workforce? Let us know!