Your deskless workforce is the engine of your organization, but they are often disconnected from important company information and community. The Haiilo mobile app helps bridge this gap by providing a simple, real-time way to create a more inclusive, efficient, and connected environment.

This article focuses on actions you can take to position the app as the most valuable resource for your deskless workers. When they recognize its benefits, they're more likely to use it. 

Lead with features and value

Before promoting the app, ensure it is configured to deliver instant, useful value while respecting your deskless employees' time.

• Establish the Launchpad: Configure the Launchpad to provide easy access to key systems (time tracking, scheduling, HRIS for pay stubs, etc.). This helps users see that the app provides a jump-off point to all the important systems they need for their work.
• Set Up an Alert Area: Use the News (Studio) or Recent Content (Blog) on the Dashboard to share critical updates and alerts. Configure the section so news is relevant to each user, whether at a desk or on the move. For example, selecting "Only show auto-subscribed blogs" ensures that users receive updates only from pages they have subscribed to.
• Create Functional Knowledge Hubs: Set up dedicated pages (e.g., "Factory Safety," "Retail & Customer Experience") tailored to specific job functions for your frontline workers. Use the wiki app for official information and the timeline app to encourage questions and discussions for knowledge sharing. Use only native apps and widgets on these pages to ensure a smooth mobile experience. This ensures employees always find the exact, relevant operational information they need.
• Activate the Timeline/Newsfeed: Ensure the timeline is turned on so users can enjoy updates from their subscriptions and followers. It's also a great chance for them to create posts and exchange kudos for peer recognition. This way, the timeline becomes their personal digital breakroom, not just a hub for corporate announcements.
• Implement Messaging: Enable in-app 1-to-1 and group chat functionality. This enforces the work-life boundary by providing a secure, professional communication channel.
• Integrate Events: Use events for local training or social events that employees can see and RSVP to directly in the app, connecting them to company culture.

Enable managers to drive engagement

Middle managers are the most critical link in the adoption chain. Empowering them with the right tools ensures that a trusted voice reinforces the app's value every day.

• Provide Training Sessions: Host specific, mandatory training for all managers focused solely on how the app saves them time (e.g., streamlined approvals, fewer calls about schedules, easier policy distribution)
• Assign Ownership: Assign managers as page and community admins for regional pages and communities dedicated to their teams. Giving managers ownership of content helps improve communication with employees and inspires them to take responsibility for the content they create. Additionally, enable these managers (as page and community admins) to review their employees' activity rates in Analytics.
• Simplify Manager Communication: Pre-configure short and easy communication templates to make it faster for managers to relay information to their teams through the app (via chat or timeline) than through any other method. For example, provide a "Shift Coverage Needed" template with a bullet list for location, required skills, time, and date.
• Bridge Physical and Digital Spaces: Equip managers with high-quality QR codes and digital signage content tied directly to the app (e.g., "Scan here for today's Schedule"). This empowers managers to instantly move communication from physical boards to the app.
• Provide Talking Points: Provide managers with a short list of simple phrases focused on employee benefits (e.g., "This app saves you a trip to the office," or "Check your schedule right now, it's easy") to drive adoption naturally.

Sustain adoption in the long run

Maintaining consistent use is all about keeping high-quality content and supporting your users. Together, these efforts create a stronger, more engaged community.

• Establish Content Ownership: Clearly define and assign content owners for all critical pages and processes. This establishes accountability and guarantees reliability for vital information.
• Simplify Post Creation: Guide content creators to keep posts for deskless users short, clear, and visually engaging with images or videos. This helps ensure the content suits how people naturally consume it on mobile devices, making the experience better for everyone.
• Implement a Content Audit Process: Schedule regular reviews of content to ensure accuracy and freshness. This ensures the app remains the single, curated source of truth.
• Empower Mobile Champions: Recruit and recognize enthusiastic deskless employees to act as local advocates. This ensures adoption is driven by trusted, authentic peer recommendation. Find tips in Building and scaling an intranet champions network.
• Standardize Micro-Learning: Design practical video tutorials (60 seconds or less) for high-value actions, making them instantly accessible via QR codes in work areas via digital signage.
• Simplify Access Control: Ensure the log-in process is seamless and have trained staff available at launch to instantly resolve technical barriers.
• Define Tool Boundaries: Clearly specify which communications should occur in each communication channel that your organization uses. For example, "All official announcements, pay stub access, and benefits information happen only in the Haiilo app", "For a safety emergency or immediate machine failure, use the two-way radio or dedicated alarm system, not the Haiilo chat.". This helps avoid confusion that can arise from using multiple communication tools.

Set boundaries to build trust

The commitment to respect and safety is the only thing that sustains usage. These promises need to be communicated consistently to alleviate concerns about BYOD.

• Guarantee No Surveillance: Reassure employees that the app isn't used for monitoring performance and that engagement data is collected only in aggregate to help enhance the user experience.
• Establish Clear Usage Guidelines: Set clear expectations about when the app is appropriate for work tasks during the workday. For example, "Checking schedules and pay stubs in the Haiilo app is allowed during clock-in/out periods or designated breaks," "Use of the Haiilo app is not allowed during active production for safety and focus."
• Commit to After-Hours Silence: State clearly that only critical alerts will be pushed outside of working hours, and general updates are strategically scheduled for the workday.
• Enforce Content Blackouts: Implement a definitive organizational policy that prohibits the sending of non-critical push notifications during non-working hours (e.g., 6 PM to 7 AM).
• Promote Native Controls: Teach employees how to use their phone's built-in Focus Mode or Digital Wellbeing features to manage and silence the work app during their personal time.