A strong employer brand is a valuable asset for any company. The majority of job seekers would reject an offer from a company with a poor reputation. A strong employer brand not only attracts and retains top talent but also enhances the company’s overall reputation. Key factors such as a positive work culture, clear company values, and employee appreciation play crucial roles in building this brand. In today’s competitive market, standing out is essential. Want to learn more? Keep reading!
What does strong employer branding entail?
Strong employer branding can be a true asset to any company. In fact, 69% of job seekers would turn down a job due to a bad reputation, whether it stems from former employees or public perception. It’s no surprise that services like Glassdoor are in demand, as people want to form an opinion about a job before applying. When they can’t find information online, they tend to ask others who might have valuable insights. Make sure it’s worth their while.
Competition for top talent is tough these days, especially since people tend to switch jobs and even careers more frequently. There are several reasons for this. When people enter new stages in their lives, such as motherhood, middle age, or nearing retirement, they often reevaluate their current situation.
One of the top reasons for leaving a job is a bad boss or a lack of appreciation. Dealing with monotonous tasks or the inability to advance in one’s career are also key reasons why people quit.
Strong employer branding offers several advantages, including:
- Easier attraction of ambitious professionals
- Increased employee retention rates
- Easier customer acquisition
- Lower hiring costs
- A positive reputation
- Leading in your industry
- Accelerated company growth
How can the employer brand be improved?
There are several ways to improve your employer brand. First, you should go the extra mile to define your company values. What do you stand for in terms of your company's mission and vision? What do you aim to achieve beyond delivering great products and services? Your employer value proposition should be your guiding principle.
Explore why someone would choose to work for your company instead of a competitor. What makes your company stand out beyond perks like a ping-pong table, snack shelf, or free happy hour on Fridays?
Company culture is the core of your business and reflects the well-being of your employees. And this isn’t just true because you say it is. By actively seeking employee feedback, you can get a real sense of the workplace atmosphere and promote a positive environment.
“Valued, seen, and supported” are key phrases in building a strong company culture. While people may choose a job for the opportunity to advance their career and take on interesting tasks, it’s the company culture that keeps them engaged in the long run.
Make sure your visual identity reflects these company values—whether on your website, in flyers, social media posts, or brochures.
The power of social media - share employee success stories
We all enjoy learning more about what makes a business successful and the daily experiences of its employees. Social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram are perfect for sharing success stories, whether they involve big wins or valuable learning moments.
Consider inviting a successful employee who has just contributed to an exciting project or an intern who was recently promoted to junior sales assistant to make a guest post. Everyone’s journey is worth sharing. Another idea is to encourage employees to share their thoughts and insights after attending a conference or participating in a team-building event.
The enthusiasm of your employees will spread quickly, especially when posts are engaging. As more comments and likes roll in, the content will appear in their extended network's feeds. We tend to connect more with people than with companies, which is why having engaged employees on social media is crucial for increasing visibility and attention online.
It’s important to note that employees should never feel pressured to share on social media if they’re not comfortable doing so. Always have backup content ready—such as memes, quotes, or infographics—in case no one is up for making a more personal post.
Another option is to actively comment on or follow interesting people within your extended network. Don’t hesitate to reach out to promising candidates, whether to recruit them for an open position or to keep their contact details for future opportunities. This approach not only helps you learn more about potential candidates but also showcases the perks of joining your company.
Take the opportunity to post behind-the-scenes content and introductions to new hires on your company blog. Most people like to get a sneak peek at their future colleagues, so why not make that page fun and inviting? Spice it up with a personal anecdote alongside the professional portrait.
Don’t be dull - make the company stand out
In corporate life, it's important to maintain professionalism and be mindful of sharing personal or confidential information. However, there is a time and place for everything.
When it comes to job ads, many companies could benefit from avoiding standard corporate phrases and making the text more inviting and down-to-earth.
Avoid clichés like “we’re a big family” or “looking for a driven individual.” By doing so, you'll likely receive more thoughtful and engaging applications from job candidates, rather than bland, generic ones.
Onboarding is an important part of the employer brand
Everyone who has started a new job knows how nerve-wracking it can be. It often feels like you need to prove yourself and be ready for any challenge.
As an employer, you have the opportunity to give new hires a warm welcome and make a lasting impression. By showing trust and appreciation from the start, you’ll quickly build trust with the employee, making them more likely to share their positive experience with others. Who knows who might be listening? One of their friends or someone in their extended network could lead you to your next star employee.
The onboarding process can vary, but a great approach is to assign a contact person for the first day to show the new hire around and make introductions. Providing a small leaflet or folder with all the essential information is also a good idea.
Stand out in the crowd
As mentioned earlier, you have the opportunity to differentiate yourself by choosing company values that attract motivated individuals.
Why not let those values directly influence the office environment and work processes? An organized and flexible work environment is often high on an employee’s wish list. Ideally, they should feel autonomous, inspired, and trusted, which will, in turn, boost productivity.
The flexible office has gained popularity in recent years, and the rise of the hybrid work model has introduced new possibilities for work-life balance. A key component of the hybrid office is the ability to plan your workday with ease, whether switching between the comfort of a home office or the dynamic, traditional office.
FlowPlanner, one of our leading solutions for creating a flexible office, allows employees to plan their office attendance effectively, ensuring a seamless experience when they choose to work on-site or remotely. Desk Management further enhances the employee experience by offering a flexible and user-friendly desk booking system.
A streamlined work environment is also achieved by offering the right IT software to improve planning and productivity. Using a cloud-based platform ensures that employees have access from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection.
When documents and information are stored in the cloud, nothing is easily overlooked or lost. Teams can collaborate more effectively, and tasks can be assigned and tracked to ensure everything is completed on time.
Career development is crucial - invest in your employees
It’s easy to get carried away when the focus on growth is intense. The answer isn’t always to look for new tools or strategies but rather to make the most of what you already have. Your loyal employees are a valuable asset, and it’s your responsibility to help them thrive.
The goal should be continuous learning—both to foster personal development and career growth, and to encourage senior employees to embrace new ideas and processes. This can be achieved through pre-selected topics or by allowing each employee to focus on their preferred area of interest.
The key to a strong employer brand is a positive workplace culture
Investing in a strong employer brand is essential for long-term success. By cultivating a positive company culture, promoting employee engagement, and showcasing your values through both internal practices and external communication, you create an environment that attracts and retains top talent.
Social media platforms offer a unique opportunity to share your company's story and build connections with potential candidates. When employees feel valued, supported, and motivated, they become loyal brand ambassadors. Ultimately, a strong employer brand not only enhances recruitment efforts but also strengthens your business from the inside out.
Want guidance on how to set up your hybrid office for success?
Feel free to schedule a meeting with one of our product experts to learn more about our solutions and how technology can help you streamline your office processes without interfering with employees' day-to-day work.