Countdown has been recognised for encouraging Facebook use at work having won the award in the internal communications category for its hugely successful launch of Workplace by Facebook at the Annual PRINZ Gala Awards Dinner.
Countdown was the first business in New Zealand to adopt Facebook's innovative internal communications tool which is designed to make it easier for people to connect, and that is exactly what it has done for more than 8800 of Countdown's store team who have joined so far.
In February, Countdown was also presented with an Innovation Award at the Workplace Australia and New Zealand Transform Conference. Both awards acknowledge Countdown's initiative work to bring its diverse team together, who aren't in front of a computer with access to email all day.
Dan Chasemore, Countdown's internal communications manager, said the roll-out of Workplace by Facebook has helped connect the Countdown team from all around New Zealand, from Waitangi to Invercargill. It also meant that team members can now easily and directly engage with leaders - including Countdown's managing director, as well as the wider business in an open and constructive way.
"Workplace by Facebook has been very successful for us with people continuing to sign up to the platform every day," said Chasemore. "We're seeing a much more conversational culture with our team as they engage with each other, sharing the exciting news, and even help each other with problem solving in a really easy and instant way. This is critical with such a diverse team that is located all across New Zealand."
Workplace by Facebook is designed to have a similar look and feel to Facebook, however employees sign on with a different username and password, and you don't add your colleagues as friends, although you can 'follow' them.
