An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2024 www.military.ie/magazine 38 | INTRODUCTION The Connect application has improved how information flows through our organisation, bridging the gap between General Staff and grassroots personnel. Launched with the goal of enhancing internal communication, Connect has streamlined information sharing, fostered engagement across ranks, and reinforced alignment with organisational goals. This year has seen significant progress in adoption, innovative use cases, and continued commitment from leadership and staff alike. SIGN-UP AND ENGAGEMENT STATISTICS Sign-Up Growth Connect experienced remarkable growth in 2024, with over 2,000 new users signing up by the end of October, bringing total registered users just shy of 5,500 at the time of writing. Despite challenges such as personnel leaving the Defence Forces, the platform has maintained steady growth. Notably, new recruit platoons and cadet classes contributed to this upward trend, with the on boarding efforts continuing into 2025. Demographic Insights • The highest adoption rates were seen among senior ranks like Regimental Sergeant Major (85.37%), Commandant (75.93%), and Lieutenant Colonel (75.54%), reflecting strong leadership engagement. • By brigade, DFTC leads with 70% adoption, followed by the Air Corps (63%) and Naval Service (61%), underscoring the role of targeted engagement strategies. • Age demographics reveal the highest uptake among those aged 20–29, with 56% of this cohort active on the platform. Engagement Benchmarks Monthly sign-in rates averaged 70%, exceeding industry benchmarks of 55–58% for comparable organisations. Daily logins peaked during push-notified announcements, such as the MRA message in March, which prompted 50% of users to sign in on the same day. CONTENT PERFORMANCE Connect's content has been a cornerstone of its success in 2024: • Top Performing Posts: Internal Comms accounted for four of the top 10 posts, alongside contributions from the Chief of Staff, Head of Strategic HR and others. Key topics included uniform and equipment updates, reflecting the platform's role as an information hub. • Push Notifications: These have been pivotal in driving engagement. Notable successes include the MRA announcement and other General Staff Updates, which resulted in login spikes of up to 50%. LEADERSHIP INVOLVEMENT Leadership engagement has been critical to Connect's success: • DF Board Activity: Several board members consistently contributed to Connect. Goals of one weekly post, two comments, and three reactions are a focal point for future improvement. • Chief of Staff Contributions: With 31 posts this year garnering over 120,000 impressions, the Chief of Staff has demonstrated how impactful leadership-driven content can be. Leadership's consistent participation highlights the potential for greater influence and adoption across all levels of the organisation. HIGHLIGHTS AND SUCCESS STORIES The adaptability of Connect has shone through in various units: • Air Corps: Leveraged spaces for recruitment, flight ops guides, and course EOIs, showing innovative use of quick links and public/ private spaces. • Galway and Dundalk Barracks: Maximised calendar features for course scheduling, improving orderly room efficiency. These examples showcase how units are using Connect not only for communication but also for operational enhancements. CHALLENGES AND AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT While Connect has delivered significant value, challenges remain: • Staff Feedback: Some units perceive content posting as an added workload. Streamlining this process, alongside continued training, is essential. • Underutilised Spaces: Monthly space audits and retraining initiatives have revitalised inactive spaces, but further efforts are needed to sustain engagement. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Compared to IKON, Connect has delivered transformative improvements in accessibility and analytics. While IKON was limited to desk-based personnel, Connect ensures all members, regardless of location or rank, have access to critical updates. However, unlike many Workvivo customers, our non-auto-enrolment model requires additional effort for on boarding, a challenge we continue to address. FUTURE PLANS As Connect evolves, exciting features and strategies are in the pipeline: • New Features: Digital applications for leave requests and mess bookings, Workvivo TV pilots, and chat functions are all under consideration for 2025. • Engagement Drives: A Christmas competition and new surveys aim to boost sign-ups and gather user feedback for content improvements. These initiatives are designed to make Connect the one-stop shop for organisational information, stream. END-OF-YEAR REVIEW CONNECT APPLICATION 2024 BY CAPT AUSTIN DOYLE

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