How to communicate to employees who aren't staring at a computer screen — the communicator's #1 problem

Do you have trouble reaching non-desk employees?

I can't ask for a show of hands — so please 'Like" this page if the answer is "yes."

Over the next few months my staff and I will produce a series of stories and videos on mobile apps designed just for employee communications. We know and work with many of these app companies. They exhibit at our conferences, and they occasionally use our consulting services.

But now we plan to gain first-hand experience and report our findings.

First up is one of the industry's market leaders — Dynamic Signal. In the weeks ahead we will review and critique apps from RMG Networks; Sitrion; Apprise Mobile and Social Chorus.

My chief operating officer and I began by watching the Dynamic Signal demo yesterday. We were impressed immediately and decided to try out the app with Ragan's employees. Like many companies, we also need a mobile platform. Though Ragan is small, we have employees and consultants in North Carolina, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Sweden.

What I liked about Dynamics Signal's app is its super cool ability to measure the impact of your messaging, it's gamification tools and instant survey functionality.

What's more, if your employees use Slack or Facebook Messenger or even texting, the app allows employee communicators to post messages to those platforms right from its dashboard.

In the weeks ahead, I will let you know how it all goes. How easy is it to install? Operate? Do employees love it? What tools are available to users? How is Dynamic Signal's support service?

Here's what I need from you:

What other apps are you considering right now? Or, what apps would you like me to add to the above list?

And finally, I need all of you to answer this question:

If mobile apps are the obvious way to communicate to dispersed workers, why aren't you using one now?

Are your IT folks getting in the way? Is it a security issue? Is it cost? Employee apps can be expensive.

One problem we hear all of the time: "Our employees are unionized. We can't force them to download an app that is related to work."

Let me know what your issues are. What is getting in the way of using employee apps at your company.

I'm all ears!