Rethinking the Role of Technology in Behaviour Change

Technology is a great way to support sustainability efforts, but rolling out an employee app and calling it day won’t work.

If the goal is to create long-term behaviour change, then organisations need a holistic engagement strategy that makes sustainable actions a part of the routine, instead of one-off events.

We’re going to be looking at why employee apps might fall short and how to use technology as part of a wider sustainability programme.

Why App-Only Strategies Fall Short

Today there’s an app for everything, and businesses are using them in droves. In 2020, tech companies averaged 155 different apps in their operations.

This approach can obviously lead to app overload. Employees switch between tools all day, losing focus and time. 45% of people say this constant switching makes them less productive.

69% of workers lose up to an hour daily just navigating between communication apps.

For sustainability programmes, this has serious effects. If you simply tell your team that you have an app for something, and then leave it alone, it’s easily lost in the mix. The important thing is to have a consistent comms strategy built around it to remind people to check-in.

An Employee App Needs the Right Support

It is possible – a good employee app can support sustainability engagement. But first, you need a plan that explains what to do, when to do it, and why it matters. Once that’s in place, technology can help people stay on track. Here’s how to get that on track:

1. Defined Goals and Process

Lay out your desired outcomes and the activities that will lead to that. Knowing what tasks to complete each day helps reduce overwhelm and supports focus. The same principle applies to sustainability.

2. Meaningful Rewards

There are so many long-term benefits to sustainability, but long-term gratification is hard to come by today. That’s why giving a small reward in the short term is a great way to embed those habits now.

3. Consistent and Inspiring Communication

It’s a cliché, but communication really is key. It’s so important to consistently remind people what to do, and why they’re doing it. Communication is most effective when built on clarity and shared norms.

4. Gamification to Boost Engagement

We’ve all seen the success of Strava and Duolingo take off because people want to keep their streak or beat their friends. Points, leaderboards and challenges motivate your team to take action regularly.

5. Measurable Impact

One of the biggest boons of an employee app is its ability to measure impact. When people can see how much difference their actions make, they’re encouraged to continue those habits.

Focus on Culture and Long-Term Engagement

Apps support behaviour change when combined with a culture of action. That culture grows when people feel connected to a shared purpose and see that their efforts matter.

At Team Jump, we bring all the key pieces together:

• A single employee app that makes logging actions and tracking progress easy
• Gamified challenges that keep engagement high
• Fully-managed communications that build community
• Real-world rewards that reinforce action
• Data insights for you and your team to show measurable impact.

Our platform is built to support people, and our service is to support you. It helps organisations move beyond short-term campaigns and into lasting change.

A Solution that isn’t just an Employee App

If you want to go beyond the employee app and create a programme that empowers and motivates your people to act, we can help.

Request a demo today to explore how our solution supports long-term engagement and behaviour change.