Australian workers unlikely to recommend own products and services

May 7, 2015 - The average Australian worker is so disengaged with their workplace that they are unlikely to recommend their own organisation's products and services, a new nationwide employee study has found.

The State of Employee Engagement in Australia 2015, conducted by Engaged Marketing, asked 3,361 Australians about their attitudes towards their current workplace and employer.

It found that less than a third (30%) of employees would actively recommend their organisation's products and services to their families and friends. More than a third (36%) are "Detractors" who would actively discourage others against using their organisation's products and services.

The results give Australian workers an overarching Net Promoter Score of -6% (negative 6%).

Engaged Marketing Managing Director Christopher Roberts said the low Net Promoter Score was alarming given the power of word of mouth.

"It is well-known that word-of-mouth is the most powerful marketing channel – four times more effective than television advertising. But if Australian companies were hoping their employees were their greatest advocates, they need to think again!" he said.

"It begs the question, if your own employees are not willing to recommend your products and services, what chance to you have?

"A score like this is indicative of people not understanding your strategy and direction. If your staff don't understand the strategy, value propositions and directions of your organisation, it is no mystery as to why they don't feel comfortable recommending you to their friends and family."

The research found the top three negative emotions Australian employees felt were Stress (32%), Frustration (29%) and Anxiety (15%). In contrast, staff said they wanted to feel Valued (69%), but only 36% felt valued now, and Supported (54%), but only 28% felt supported now.

"Culture within an organisation starts and ends with emotions, both positive and negative," Mr Roberts said.

"Clearly, stress and frustration are not conducive to a productive and energised workforce so organisations must look at how they make sure their staff feel valued and supported."

For more information, you can download your complimentary copy of the State of Employee Engagement in Australia 2015 at http://engagedmarketing.com.au/downloads/state-employee-engagement/

Engaged Marketing is a strategic consultancy that focusses on helping businesses grow by developing fresh customer, marketing, staff engagement, customer research and organisational strategies. Engaged Marketing is an approved Net Promoter Score ® Loyalty Partner. Christopher Roberts is an Industry Fellow at the University of Queensland, Australia.

Net Promoter, NPS, eNPS and Net Promoter Score are trademarks of Satmetrix Systems Inc., Bain & Company and Fred Reichheld.