FNSS empowers employee unity and innovation with Microsoft Viva Engage

Headquartered in Ankara, Türkiye, FNSS is a leader in the defense sector. The company has carved a niche for itself on the global stage through the design and production of wheeled and tracked armored vehicles, combat engineering vehicles, and turrets. Since 1989, it continuously improves its vehicle design and production capabilities.

Nurturing skilled staff in a competitive industry

Within this high-stakes industry, effective internal communication plays a pivotal role. “Because we are dealing with highly skilled talents which are attractive to technology companies worldwide, it is not an easy task to keep these individuals within the company for a long period of time. Moreover, we cannot hire people from abroad because of confidentiality of the programs and limits to access classified information, thus defense companies can only employ citizens from their nations. This limits our talent pool, and we need to make sure we keep our employees engaged and fulfilled. The traditional approach of a one-way communication from the top falls short,” explains Cem Altınışık, Corporate Communication Manager at FNSS. “We strongly believe in the power of face-to-face communication. However, when time, resources, or opportunities are limited, we must leverage technology as effectively as possible.” So, FNSS decided to revamp corporate communication.

The first step was to understand the needs and aspirations of its staff. "Our surveys showed that employees wanted more visibility into company operations and achievements," shares Hazal Altay, Internal Communication Specialist at FNSS. “They also wanted to socialize with colleagues in more informal settings. We needed to balance the informational, educational, and social aspects,” elaborates Altay.

A calculated approach

Once the company knew what its staff needed, FNSS started looking for a suitable solution, and most importantly, a suitable partner. “Trust in the technology vendor is paramount because our company communication involves a lot of sensitive materials.” says Altınışık.

FNSS chose Microsoft Viva Engage as its trusted solution and came up with a meticulous adoption plan. "We drafted terms and conditions—a critical aspect due to our industry—focusing on information security," recounts Altay. The next step was to build hundreds of internal groups and communities for departments like human resources and health and occupational safety and provide them with more independence while reducing IT workload. Finally, FNSS introduced interest-based social and work groups like gastronomy and motorcycle clubs, helping employees connect outside work.

FNSS met the challenge of integrating a new tool into the daily routines of employees with a comprehensive training and engagement strategy. "We've met with nearly every office and field function, holding face-to-face meetings and demonstrating how to access and use Microsoft Teams and Viva Engage," shares Seda Dağçınar, Lead Media Relations & Communications Specialist. “We made sure everyone had access to the information they need for this change, providing reference content and training so they can embrace the new system.”

Connect, ideate, collaborate

With most of its staff onboard, the company observed a heightened sense of community and inclusion. “Viva Engage played a significant role in extending our internal communication capabilities,” says Altınışık. Today, 60% of FNSS employees think that Viva Engage contributes to internal integration.

With more frequent and diversified social activities and internal conversations, FNSS’ staff is free to brainstorm, collaborate, and bond. “Workgroups that are focused on specific areas allow employees to share insights and make specific plans,” says Dağçınar. “With weekly 15-minute meetings, they have a platform for them to raise questions, offer feedback, and discuss any issues they may have within their respective departments. They have a space where they feel valued, connected, and empowered to contribute to the company's success.”

The transition has also helped foster a culture of recognition and innovation. “We document field tests and share this with the rest of the company through Viva Engage,” Altınışık says. “Doing this not only informs employees about the logistics and efforts involved, but also highlights the dedication and challenges faced by those in the field, making them feel valued for their hard work and contribution.”

FNSS also used Viva Engage to showcase the depth and breadth of its operations. The communications team produced diverse video content, from departmental overviews to tours of the company's facilities, demystifying many aspects of FNSS' operations for its employees and expanding access to corporate information and announcements. "We've shot approximately 25 videos in eight months," Altay shares.

With a centralized, accessible communication platform, FNSS is well-equipped to include its staff in a range of events. “For example, most of our employees couldn’t attend the annual International Defense Fair in Istanbul, so we brought the fair to them with interviews and fun videos,” recalls Altınışık.

Moreover, the platform also serves as a tool for welcoming new employees to the company. Altay remarks, "While our original intention didn’t include onboarding, Viva Engage naturally serves this purpose as well, which is very beneficial."

Ultimately, what matters most to FNSS is the connectedness Viva Engage brings. “We’re so happy to be having these kinds of conversations with our employees. And for them to have this platform to understand what's going on in the company, this really changes everything for us,” Altınışık concludes.