Why Manufacturing Execs Use Digital Signage for 2024 Strategies

Manufacturing executives have come to terms with the fact that their messaging is getting lost before it ever reaches the production floor. To combat this issue, they're turning to digital signage to eliminate the confusion and provide information directly to frontline employees. 

Communication Challenges Faced by Manufacturing Executives

Manufacturing executives face numerous challenges in effectively communicating with the frontline workforce inside their facilities. There is a significant communication gap between different levels of the organization. 31% of employees have never logged into the company intranet, and 80% of the deskless production workforce doesn't even have a company email. Executives rely on their ground management to act as a bridge and carry their messages directly to the workforce. Unfortunately, they've discovered it's getting lost.  

A staggering 75% of manufacturing employees are unengaged, and that fallout costs the US economy $450-555 billion a year. Executives are desperate to combat it, so companies invest in initiatives and solutions to reignite employees. However, the unengaged workforce includes middle management, which is counting on them to deliver their messages. Contributing to, or because of, the disengagement is the disconnect and lack of trust and credibility that middle management may feel toward corporate executives. This can result in messages being lost in translation or distorted through a game of telephone. Language barriers, corporate jargon, and educational differences can further alienate frontline workers and hinder effective communication. Furthermore, middle management may not always deliver messages in the correct tone, and obstacles such as competing priorities and a perceived irrelevance or disconnect can impede the delivery of important information. People playing politics happens in more places than just Congress. 

Feedback from frontline staff is often not effectively communicated to executives, leading to a lack of alignment with incentives and a missed opportunity for continuous improvement. Inadequate communication channels between middle management and the frontline workforce can also hinder the flow of information and prevent valuable insights from reaching executives. Addressing these challenges is crucial for manufacturing executives to execute their corporate initiatives and strategies successfully.

Enhancing Engagement and Morale Among Frontline Workers

Direct communication through digital signage plays a crucial role in enhancing engagement and morale among frontline workers. It allows executives to display information directly in front of employees, giving them control over the tone and timing of messages. This helps reinforce organizational standards, safety, and quality goals, as well as promote underutilized benefits and strategic priorities. By directly conveying messages to frontline workers, executives ensure that the company's messages are properly framed and contextualized, promoting a cohesive and unified workforce.

When corporate executives communicate directly with employees, it fosters a sense of connection to the organization and its leadership. Feeling valued and heard by top-level executives can greatly boost morale, motivation, and engagement among frontline employees, resulting in higher levels of performance and retention.

By using digital signage, executives can convey messages that inspire and motivate frontline workers. They can communicate the company's vision, goals, and milestones, creating a sense of purpose with the frontline workers. This helps employees understand how their work contributes to the overall success of the organization, fostering a stronger sense of engagement and commitment. Saying "thank you", showing happy customers and award-winning products gives the employees a true sense of purpose and allows them to see that the piece they contribute makes a huge difference. 

Digital signage also allows executives to express appreciation and recognition for the hard work and dedication of frontline workers. By highlighting individual and team achievements, executives can boost morale and create a positive work environment. This recognition helps employees feel valued and encourages them to continue delivering high levels of performance. When middle management is unengaged, it's hard to be a cheerleader, and executives are often disheartened when they learn how little celebration is happening inside their facilities. Attitudes wield a contagious force, with negativity often spreading effortlessly. Cultivating a positive atmosphere demands intentional, deliberate effort consistently applied each day. It doesn't occur spontaneously; rather, it necessitates proactive creation and relentless defense.

Additionally, direct communication through digital signage provides an opportunity for executives to address any concerns or challenges faced by frontline workers immediately. By acknowledging and addressing these issues, executives can demonstrate their commitment to supporting employees and creating a conducive work environment. This leads to improved morale and a stronger sense of engagement among frontline workers.

Achieving Cultural Alignment and Transparency Through Digital Signage

Digital signage plays a vital role in achieving cultural alignment and promoting transparency within the organization. By directly communicating with frontline workers, executives can reinforce organizational values, culture, and strategic priorities.

Through digital signage, executives can share important updates and information about the company's culture and values. This helps ensure that all employees, regardless of their position, are aligned with the organization's vision and objectives. It fosters a sense of unity and creates a cohesive workforce that works towards common goals.

Digital signage also promotes transparency by providing employees with timely and relevant information. By openly sharing updates and progress, executives build trust and accountability within the organization. Transparency helps employees understand the rationale behind decisions, which frontline workers rarely feel they understand and often assume decisions are made solely on cost and production factors. Simply understanding why something is the way it is, in plain words, fosters a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility.

Furthermore, digital signage enables executives to address any misconceptions or rumors that may arise within the organization. By directly communicating accurate information, executives can prevent misunderstandings and promote trust and open dialogue. This leads to increased transparency and a stronger commitment to the company among employees you're striving desperately to retain.

Empowerment, Innovation, and Continuous Improvement with Feedback Loop

Digital signage empowers frontline workers and promotes a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. By placing QR codes on the screen that lead to surveys or questions, executives can establish a feedback loop gather valuable insights from the production floor, and learn about any issues or areas that require attention. This enables executives to make informed decisions and drive positive change within the organization without this information being filtered or forgotten.

Direct communication through digital signage allows executives to seek feedback from frontline workers, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and address any issues or challenges. This feedback loop fosters a culture of continuous improvement and empowers employees to contribute their ideas and suggestions.

Digital signage also encourages innovation by providing a platform for sharing best practices and success stories. Executives can showcase examples of innovative solutions or initiatives, inspiring frontline workers to think creatively and implement new ideas. This culture of innovation drives positive change and helps the organization stay competitive in the market.

Furthermore, digital signage facilitates knowledge sharing and learning at all levels of the organization. Executives can use this platform to provide training materials, educational resources, and updates on industry trends. This promotes professional development among frontline workers and ensures everyone has access to the information they need to excel in their roles. When this feedback is collected, change and innovation occur, the information is shared in full transparency, and it's proof that workers are being heard and celebrated. This is where environments and attitudes begin to change.

Overall, digital signage enables executives to empower frontline workers, foster innovation, and create a culture of continuous improvement. By establishing a feedback loop and encouraging learning, executives can drive positive change and achieve their corporate initiatives and strategies. It can reengage an entire workforce and revive the manufacturing industry. This is the factory of the future.