Myth #1: Employer branding is unnecessary
Some
clients tell me, "We're an employer of choice; great candidates will
find us." And yet you never hear executives at Apple or Disney or Coke
say "Everyone knows our products; customers will find us." In fact,
those brands have massive marketing budgets. You can't assume that your
exact desired demographic, whether it's MIT grads or truck drivers, will
actively seek you out. Or think about this: What if great candidates do know you -- and don't like what they see? Employer branding can increase awareness and engagement by refocusing your messaging on your company's mission, vision, values, and business strategy.
Myth #2: Employer branding is expensive
Good employer branding actually saves you money, through lower recruiting costs, higher engagement, and increased productivity/sales. Depending on the plan goals, a
basic research project can be launched for as little as $10,000. You can start small with
communication audits and internal surveys, and then add executive
interviews and employee focus groups. If you can secure a larger spend, we recommend surveying external constituents to provide context to your
internal findings.
Myth #3: Employer branding is completely separate from consumer branding
It better not be! An employer brand must be absolutely aligned with and inspired
by the consumer brand. After all, candidates are customers, investors, and influencers. One of the first things we do
on any employer branding project is break through organizational silos and align the employer brand with the company's current
messaging. We try to get all stakeholders -- Marketing, HR, Internal
Communications -- into the same room to make sure we have a consistent
brand that's authentic on both sides of the house. Along the way, we
often help Marketing and HR become friends!
Myth #4: Employer branding research can be done in-house
It can,
but it's much more difficult. Employees are reluctant to share their true
feelings with their HR department for fear of reprisal. Executives
interviewing each other often leads to an "echo chamber" effect, where
no one advocates change. And external constituents, such as customers
and former applicants, think surveys are a marketing ploy and
stay away. Brandemix is a neutral third party; we take empathetic listening to the next level by listening, probing, and processing. An outside set of
eyes can reveal things about your employer brand that you never saw.
Myth #5: Employer branding only helps the hiring managers
Au
contraire! The entire company benefits from a strong employer brand.
You'll attract employees who are a good fit for the culture, who stay
longer, perform better, and recommend the company to others. More
referrals and lower turnover makes for a happier, more stable workplace.
HR will have more time to work on other initiatives, like workforce
planning, talent management, or diversity. Eventually, you'll have
weeded out the underachievers and filled your roster with satisfied
employees, which studies have shown create more profit for the entire
organization.
Don't
let these myths fool you. Employer branding is crucial to the success
of any company, from a nonprofit to a regional chain to a global
corporation. It cuts costs, generates profits, and can turn your company
into a true employer of choice.
Any other myths you want busted? Drop me a line.
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