Jostle

Jostle Platform Review

Jostle presents itself as a robust employee engagement and intranet platform, aiming to bridge communication gaps and foster a more connected workforce. This review examines its core functionalities, user experience, and overall effectiveness.

Core Functionality

At its heart, Jostle functions as a centralized hub for company information and employee interaction. Key to its operation is the 'News' area, serving as a broadcast channel for company-wide announcements and updates. This is complemented by 'Teams,' which provides dedicated spaces for specific groups to collaborate and share information relevant to their work. The platform integrates a 'People' directory, making it easy to find colleagues and understand their roles within the organization.

Communication is further facilitated through integrated chat and messaging features, supporting both one-on-one conversations and group discussions. File sharing is a standard inclusion, allowing documents and resources to be easily distributed within teams and across the company. Task management features are present, albeit sometimes basic depending on specific use cases, providing a means for teams to track simple assignments.

User Experience

Jostle generally offers a clean and intuitive user interface. Navigation is straightforward, with clearly labeled sections for different functionalities. The platform has a visually appealing design that encourages exploration and interaction. The mobile application is a significant strength, providing convenient access for employees who are not always at their desks. The ease of posting content and engaging with others contributes to a positive user experience.

However, for organizations with complex workflows or deeply ingrained existing communication methods, integrating Jostle and ensuring widespread adoption may require a dedicated change management effort. While the core features are easy to grasp, maximizing the platform's full potential requires understanding how to best leverage its various components for specific team and organizational needs.

Employee Engagement Focus

A key differentiator for Jostle is its strong emphasis on employee engagement. Features like the activity feed, ability to 'like' and comment on posts, and employee profiles contribute to creating a more social and interactive workplace environment. The 'Recognition' feature, where available, allows for acknowledging employee contributions, further boosting morale. These elements are crucial for building company culture and making employees feel more connected to their colleagues and the organization's mission.

Areas for Consideration

While strong in its core areas, potential users should consider a few points. The depth of features in areas like project management or complex workflow automation might be less extensive compared to dedicated platforms in those niches. Organizations with highly specific integration needs with a wide array of third-party applications should verify the available connectors and APIs. Customization options, while present, may have limitations compared to highly bespoke intranet solutions.

Conclusion

Overall, Jostle is a highly capable employee engagement and social intranet platform well-suited for organizations looking to improve internal communication, build culture, and connect their workforce. Its user-friendly interface and focus on engagement make it an effective tool for fostering a sense of community and keeping employees informed. While some advanced functionalities in specific areas may be less developed than dedicated point solutions, its comprehensive suite of features for communication, collaboration, and engagement makes it a compelling option for many businesses.