Torana Inc. developed CircleYard to transform the outdated idea of notice boards at offices into a digital pinboard that connects employees with each other as well as employees with their employer. As the concept of physical pinboard became digital, it also brought the advantages of being seamless across devices & connected across locations.
In the course of development, Torana deployed CircleYard in its offices across distributed locations. The primary aim of CircleYard at Torana was to keep employees across all locations on the same page.
What CircleYard managed to accomplish:
- Bridged the gap between locations
The HR team at Torana planned monthly activities on CircleYard for employees to participate. The participation from all locations brought a sense of familiarity among everyone; it was nice to put faces to names. The disconnectedness due to physical distance was certainly addressed to some extent because of CircleYard.
- Lightened the workplace environment
CircleYard activities resulted in a lot of fun at the office. Employees looked forward to posting content & connecting over posts on CircleYard. There was a lot of enthusiasm & optimism in the air. Humour & fun also helped the employees to get back to work with a refreshed mind.
- Enhanced in-person interaction
The combination of CircleYard design & planned activities let employees bond with other employees who have similar interests. This also enhanced the in-person interaction. Healthy rapport resulted in better coordination of tasks.
- Real-time updates of events
The CircleYard mobile app allowed employees to post real-time updates. Employees representing Torana Inc. in summits, conferences & meetups posted real-time updates from the event itself. Even updates of office events were posted in real-time & this greatly fostered a sense of connection in the distributed workforce.
- Curiosity about digital pinboard among visitors
The TV component of CircleYard generated immense curiosity among visitors. It has the look of a pinboard with the sophistication of modern technology. Visitors got a glimpse of the company culture while waiting at the reception. Many of them eagerly enquired about CircleYard later.
- Informal channel for employer communication
CircleYard created an informal communication channel for employers. A lot of announcements were made on CircleYard by the employer directly in an informal tone. This reduced the unspoken hesitation which employees had with hierarchy.
Overall, CircleYard brought about a welcome change at Torana Inc. It became an HR tool to connect employees & increase employee engagement at Torana.