Harris Farm Markets, a family-owned fresh produce and grocery retailer, has been a staple in Australian communities since 1971. With 26 stores and over 3,000 team members, the company faced unprecedented challenges during the bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring the safety, well-being, and connectedness of their frontline workers became paramount.

Bridging Communication Gaps Amidst Uncertainty

Before implementing a new communication platform, Harris Farm's staff relied on personal tools like Facebook and WhatsApp to stay connected. This fragmented approach proved insufficient during crises when timely and accurate information was critical. The rapidly changing guidelines during the pandemic highlighted the need for a centralized, reliable communication channel that could reach all employees, regardless of their location or role.

“Our store workers were top of mind for the Harris Farm implementation. Employees were dealing with customers all day, every day, under increased pressure from the community to provide essential items and remain open.”
— Nichol Trueman, Head of People, Culture and WHS, Harris Farm Markets

Rapid Deployment for Immediate Impact

Recognizing the urgency, Harris Farm partnered with Enablo to deploy a new communication platform in just five days. Key features of the solution included:

• Quick and simple deployment, meeting tight timelines.
• Accessibility without corporate email addresses, crucial for frontline team members.
• Mobile-first design, ensuring ease of use for staff on the go.
• Company-wide communication capabilities, fostering unity and collaboration.
• Video functionalities, enabling live streams and video calls for real-time updates.
  
  

The results were remarkable:

• 57% of the organization created an account within two business days.
• 80% adoption rate within the first week.

Strengthening Culture and Community

Beyond operational communication, the new platform became a hub for cultural engagement and support. Harris Farm leveraged it to:

• Share critical COVID-19 updates through posts, chat messages, and live Q&A sessions with leadership.
• Promote mental health and well-being initiatives.
• Encourage storytelling and recognition, celebrating the hard work and creativity of their teams.

One notable instance was during Mother's Day when a store ran out of flowers. An employee's post led to the Manly team crafting beautiful bouquets from vegetables, showcasing the team's ingenuity and the platform's power to connect and inspire.

“The platform has enabled all our employees to connect and communicate easily with each other. We have used the tool to strengthen our culture through recognition of our people, their character, hard work, and amazing ideas.”
— Nichol Trueman, Head of People, Culture and WHS, Harris Farm Markets

Looking Ahead

Harris Farm's swift action and commitment to their employees' well-being exemplify how organizations can adapt and thrive during challenging times. By embracing innovative communication solutions, they not only navigated crises effectively but also reinforced their family-oriented culture.

Ready to enhance your organization's communication and culture? Let's discuss how we can help you achieve similar success.