To Engage Your Workers, Train Them Like All-Around Athletes

BY Mary Jones | August 22, 2024

Workers have growing concerns about job security, especially with new AI and technology being implemented in the workforce. Many companies aren’t addressing these concerns properly or at all with their workers. But educating and maintaining transparency with AI use is key to employee retention and success. Leaders at Comcast agree. 

During a fireside chat at From Day One’s August virtual conference, Sonya Echols, VP, HR, for technical operations, network, engineering, and construction at Comcast spoke with journalist Jenny Sucov about engaging, educating and training employees. 

Comcast uses a mixture of traditional and non-traditional methods to learn about employee needs. In addition to yearly and quarterly surveys, they strive to know their employees well. The company focuses on “making sure we have a culture around communication, open doors, (and) making sure people feel comfortable coming to us,” Echols said. 

“Organizations, especially the larger the organization, have to have multiple touch points to  understand where their employee population is, around their mindset, and what they are  dealing with,” she said. 

Employee Growth Opportunities and Retention  

Developing knowledgeable employees into future leaders is an important way that Comcast  sustains and supports its workforce. Every employee has the opportunity to learn the skills they will need to thrive within their organization and beyond, says Echols. They offer a large content library filled with on demand courses accessible at all times. Comcast invests a lot in who they bring into the company. They want their employees to feel empowered as they move along their career path.

Journalist Jenny Sucov, left, interviewed Sonya Echols of Comcast (photo by From Day One)

What may seem revolutionary is everyday life at Comcast. Utilizing daily meetings to relay  knowledge is an overlooked necessity that Comcast differentiates in. Transferring knowledge  prevents an issue of no one knowing how to handle business due to an exit of one employee. It also builds on skills that can later transfer into multiple departments. “We’re focused on building the skill sets they have, [so] they can be successful in other areas,” said Echols.

Employees can try out roles they are interested in through job swaps and less-formal mentorship programs. Echols credits the success of mentorship to the commitment of everyone. Comcast leaders feel it is their duty to develop the next set of leaders for the company.

Address AI Integration With Employees  

When asked about AI, Echols says it is important to use technology to our advantage, both personally and professionally. Soon it will be a vital skill in the professional setting that employees need to be prepared for, says Echols. “Technology is here to stay and things are going to continue to change,” she said.  

Through their focus on surveys and communication, Comcast is familiar with their employees' needs. Organizations should have a more thorough plan for engaging their workers if they want workers to stay with their companies long-term, says Echols.  “If you are not having conversations about technology and what it means for your organizations, you have to start now.”

Mary Jones is a freelance writer out of Ohio. Her work is featured in several publications including The Dallas Express, NDash, and The Daily Advocate.

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