A recent statistic from the CIPD stated that 75% of HR professionals (and business owners) believe the talent shortage is negatively affecting their business and will continue into the future.
This is a worrying statistic for any company who relies on their people for the continued success of their business (lets face it, that’s most of us!). As in previous blog posts (and in the press), Katie has noted how there’s massive skills shortages in Property Development, Engineering and Digital (to name a just a few), meaning candidates are in the driving seat when job hunting and how good people can afford to be very picky about the company they chose to work for.
The tables really have turned and this is a candidate market…
So in this climate, how are you going to get the people you need to keep your business running?
And don’t forget potential employees are savvier than ever, they do their research! Not only on your company website but also what others say about you. Your reputation as an employer has never been more important and managing your employer brand is fundamental to your ability to attract (and keep) these great people to power your business.
If you don’t start thinking about it you’ll be left with very slim pickings… which could massively effect your ability to not only grow your business, but just survive!
We like to use the term ‘future proof yourself.’ Start to think about your Employer Brand like your Consumer Brand. As a marketer I work with clients to understand customer behaviours to help them attract, and keep, customers buying their products or services, but now it’s time we applied these skills to the ‘people’ part of your business.
And don’t think you have to be a big brand to have an Employer brand – if you employ, you have an employer brand, so why not make the most of it?
Gone are the days of marketers creating glossy corporate websites waxing lyrical about how great they are, this approach has had it’s day.
To run a successful business in these conditions you need to be authentic, if you make promises to your potential employers on your website, video or social, you need to keep it, or you’ll get found out!
I hope this post has got you thinking a little more about what employer branding is, and why you might need to think about it to help future proof your business. In my next post, I’ll be looking at more detailed ways to put this into practice and really leverage your brand to get the right people.
