Enterprise social networking (ESN) software supports bottom-up communication and collaboration within an organization. It provides a digital platform for employees to interact socially, collaborate, and share information, encouraging more informal, peer-to-peer communication. ESN software lets employees share updates, photos, and messages directly with their colleagues, like consumer social media platforms. Any organization can use ESN software to promote engagement and collaboration among employees. More specifically, ESN software can help companies with a hybrid or remote workforce ensure that employees have opportunities to connect, engage, and socialize despite their work location. This can help to boost morale and overall satisfaction among employees.
While ESN software is a type of internal communications platform, it differs from employee communications software in the kinds of communications they are designed to facilitate. Employee communications software is geared toward holistic solutions that offer a variety of communication styles (top-down, bottom-up, asynchronous, synchronous) and broadcasting essential company-wide messages. ESN software encourages informal, interactive, and peer-to-peer collaboration, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and teamwork. Both types of software play vital roles in enhancing internal communication and promoting a well-connected and engaged workforce.
To qualify for inclusion in the Enterprise Social Networking (ESN) category, a product must:
Allow users to create and maintain profiles that include information such as contact info, skills, expertise, and interests
Have an activity feed or timeline that displays real-time updates, posts, and interactions from users or groups
Allow users to engage with content via likes and comments
Enable users to upload, share, and collaborate on a variety of files or document types
Allow users to send direct messages in one-on-one or group conversations
Organize groups or communities based on employees’ interests, projects, or departments
