Book Clubs are the New Avenue for Employee Engagement

As print service providers continue to face staffing and skilled labor shortages, it begs the question: What can they do to engage the employees they already have and boost their morale?

A recent study from Gallup revealed that employee engagement in the U.S. has sunk to an all-time low. According to data from the study, by the end of 2024, employee engagement in the U.S. took a dive to its lowest level in a decade, with only 31% of employees engaged. Not to mention, the age range most affected is people younger than 35.

Considering the printing industry is trying to attract and retain a younger workforce as their predecessors continue to retire, this downward trend could be a concern, so it may be time to get creative.

That’s where something like a book club might just come in handy. According to management consulting company Talent Plus, a book club is a fantastic tool that promotes innovation and sparks creativity. It can also create a sense of belonging, regardless of title or position, and can foster an environment that allows everyone to participate and speak their mind.

Tara Seth, a Graphic Media Management student at Ferris State University, who blogs about her perspective on the industry as a young person in print for PRINTING United Alliance media brands, believes that book clubs are a great avenue for engaging younger workers in the industry.

“Book clubs can play a big role in boosting engagement and retention by making the workplace feel more connected, inclusive, and meaningful. They give younger employees a chance to bond with coworkers outside of just work, which helps build relationships and a sense of belonging,” Seth says.

She continues, “Book clubs can also encourage creative thinking, develop communication and collaboration skills, and give employees a voice in company culture through book choices and discussions. This can make employees feel more invested in their work and enjoy spending time at their company.”

And given that wide-format jobs; whether it’s a vehicle wrap, installing a POP display, or creating signage for a major event, require large amounts of skill, patience, and collaboration – an outlet that helps foster communication and collaboration outside of the job is a win/win.

Along with becoming more engaged, Seth points out that book clubs can also help younger employees feel more aligned with company culture and values.

“The type of book chosen can reflect what the company cares about, and how employees respond to the book can give insight into whether someone feels like they fit in. Even who gets to choose the book can say a lot about the company’s values and how much they include different voices,” Seth says.

To help create their own engaging environment for women in the industry, the Women in Print Alliance (WIPA) has created its very own book club – it’s like one you’d do for fun, but it features more work-focused, non-fiction reads by trending female authors.

Lisbeth Lyons, the director of WIPA, explains that this initiative is designed to bring all women across the industry together despite where they may be in their career paths.

“Women in Print Alliance brings together women from across the globe who work in various roles in the printing industry and also women at different stages of their careers. It’s a wonderfully diverse community, but we’re always mindful of creating inclusive events that bring us all together in some way,” Lyons says.

She continues “The simple act of reading the same book in the same time frame - then coming together to discuss it - is unifying and allows women to interact with one another up and down the seniority ladder and across functions. it also provides a point of reference for future networking interactions. ‘Wait? You read the book, too? What did you think about it?’”

The best part though is that there’s no pressure! Read the selected book at your own pace and then join fellow WIPA members for a virtual fireside chat with the author. And don’t worry, even if you didn’t read the whole thing, you can still join.

Chomping at the bit to start? Register today for WIPA’s first-ever book chat on June 26 at 1:00 ET. The discussion will feature Randi Braun, author and CEO of the women’s leadership firm, Something Major. Braun will discuss her Wall Street Journal best-selling book, Something Major: The New Playbook for Women at Work.

In fact, Lyons says Braun has already built a rapport with WIPA members, and she’s very much looking forward to getting everyone together again for this virtual event.

“I can’t wait to connect one of my favorite people – Randi Braun –  with our amazing Women in Print Alliance membership. Book clubs are a proven way to build community. And judging from the rave reviews from the Women in Print Alliance Q1 workshop led by Randi, our members find her to be wickedly smart and humorous. We’re in for a treat!”

However, this chat is exclusive to Women in Print Alliance Members. So, if you’re not a member yet, apply to become one so you don’t miss out on Braun’s sage advice on how to best empower yourself in the workplace.

Happy Reading!