Merge

We've met with a good number of companies over the last few months. Two weeks ago was the first I had heard anyone say that a major reason for the decision to revamp their web efforts was because it would do a lot for company morale.  They were coming out of what was not their best year, like most, and they really wanted to turn the corner and reinvigorate the company.  They went so far as to say the new website launch would be a major part of the upcoming annual meeting.

Looking back, this was a recurring theme for many companies, just no one ever said exactly what this company said.  Makes sense, it is the first thing anyone looks at when they are making a decision to work with you.  I've heard a lot of employees, from sales reps to CEO's to IT folks, say they are embarrassed to send potential clients to their website.  The important thing here is that the web is, at the very least, an extension of your brand.   I'm also a firm believer that your brand starts with your people, and if they feel like their branding and marketing efforts are not being supported by the website, then you actually do have a morale problem.  The bigger problem begins when this sentiment leaks to outsiders and potential clients. 

Bottom Line:    Company morale has long been about relationships between people; colleague to colleague, boss to employee, etc...  Don't neglect the relationship between employees and your web presence, it is becoming more important than ever.