When Taco Bell announced that National Taco Day would be officially moved to the first Tuesday of October, it wasn’t just a marketing gimmick; it was a masterstroke in audience engagement. This shift aligns the celebration with the beloved "Taco Tuesday," making the observance more meaningful and enjoyable for taco lovers everywhere. But there’s an underlying lesson for businesses here—one that speaks volumes about the importance of listening to your stakeholders, especially your employees.
Taco Bell saw a disconnect in the celebration of National Taco Day. While the day has been celebrated on October 4th since 2009, it rarely fell on a Tuesday. Recognizing the social media buzz and fan feedback, Taco Bell worked with the National Day Calendar to move the holiday to the first Tuesday of October, starting this year. This move was not just about aligning dates but about acknowledging and acting on customer feedback.
"It’s more than just moving a date—it’s about bringing taco lovers together in a bigger way,” said Marlo Anderson, founder of National Day Calendar.
So, what can businesses learn from this? Listening to what your customers—or in this context, your employees—are asking for can lead to significant improvements in engagement and satisfaction. Just as Taco Bell took note of what its fans wanted and made a simple yet impactful change, employers can benefit from tuning into their employees' needs and preferences.
In the corporate world, employee engagement is often touted as a critical factor in driving productivity and reducing turnover. Yet, many companies miss out on the simplest way to boost engagement—listening to their employees. Platforms like goHappy make it easier than ever to gather and act on employee feedback. In fact, more than 3,000 Taco Bell locations use goHappy to engage with their frontline workforce.
Imagine the impact if more companies adopted this approach. Here are some strategies:
Establish regular channels for employee feedback. A text-message based employee engagement tool like goHappy, ensures that you have a simple and inclusive method for frontline employees to share their feedback and suggestions.
Collecting feedback is only the first step. More important is acting on it. Small changes, such as providing sunglasses for car wash employees or ensuring a supply of clean towels for massage therapists, can significantly improve employee morale and engagement. (These are real examples from goHappy customers!)
Communicate back to your team about the feedback you've received and the steps you’re taking to address it. This closes the feedback loop and shows employees that their input is valued.
Just as Taco Bell plans to celebrate the new National Taco Day with month-long festivities, celebrate the wins that come from employee suggestions. Recognize and reward employees who contribute ideas that improve the workplace.
Taco Bell’s initiative to move National Taco Day to a more fitting date is a prime example of how listening to your audience can lead to meaningful changes. For employers, the takeaway is clear—listen to your employees. Their insights can lead to simple yet powerful changes that boost engagement and satisfaction.
Ready to take the first step? You don't have to do it alone. The goHappy team is ready to help you develop a plan for fostering a culture of open communication and continuous improvement. Your employees, much like Taco Bell's taco lovers, will appreciate being heard.
Schedule a demo today, and see the positive changes unfold in your workplace. Your team is waiting to be heard—just listen!