On the weekends, your employees spend 128 hours a week outside the office. That's 128 hours of Netflix's seamless streaming, Instagram's addictive scroll, and Uber's one-tap convenience. Then Monday hits, and they're back to clunky software, confusing processes, and tools that feel like they're from 2010.
That's the Monday morning test in action. And if your employee experience doesn't feel as seamless as Uber, your internal brand has a serious problem.
Have you ever had to use an internal system that took seven clicks just to submit a simple request? Meanwhile, you can order dinner, book a flight, and video chat with friends across the globe — all with fewer taps than it takes to ask for office supplies. The contrast is jarring.
Your employees notice this gap too. Every frustrating login, every crashed system, every "please allow 3-5 business days" email chips away at their connection to your company. They start to see work as that place with outdated everything, not the innovative company you think you're running.
Consumer apps set the bar higher every day
Companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon spend billions perfecting user experiences. They've trained your employees to expect instant results, intuitive design, and tools that help rather than hinder.
When your internal systems can't compete with a free app on their phone, you're sending a clear message: "We don't value your time or experience." That's not the brand message you want to communicate to the people who matter most.
Small changes create big wins
The good news? You don't need to rebuild everything overnight. Start with the tools your team uses most often. Can you streamline that approval process? Upgrade that ancient project management system? Create mobile-friendly versions of essential tools?
Make Monday morning something to anticipate
Your internal brand should make employees excited to dive into their work, not count down the hours until Friday. When your tools and culture compete with the best consumer experiences, something magical happens. People start talking about your company the way they talk about their favorite apps — with enthusiasm and pride.
The Monday morning test isn't just about software and systems. It's about showing your team that you care enough to give them experiences worthy of their talent. When you bridge that gap between consumer-grade expectations and corporate reality, you don't just survive the weekend — you make Monday the day your team looks forward to most.
Your employees have choices about where they work. Make sure your internal experience gives them every reason to choose you.