10.12.2010 // London.
Fuelled by the best part of two bottles of whisky, a disgruntled employee, fired by Harrods from his job as the toy department’s Father Christmas, has taken revenge in spectacular style. With a little deft switch trickery in the maintenance control room (and undeniable creative genius), Lloyd Hudson, was able to communicate his valedictory thoughts through the iconic building's 10,000 external lights.
It did get us thinking again about the issue of Employer Branding; it's a touchy subject and, as highlighted here, it can yield remarkable outcomes.
We at Grain know the importance of hiring and keeping the people with not only the skills but also the passion and drive to provide our clients with a first class, brand defining service. Our own brand and what it tells people outwardly about us is synonymous with our reputation and expertise in the content business. Bu,t also our own brand is so very important to us on a personal level. We are proud to be a part of Grain. Under the Grain umbrella we find the same level of skill and passion in complimentary spheres of knowledge. Simply by doing what we do best, we have built an Employer Brand that we can be proud of.
“...companies with strong employer brands can potentially reduce the cost of employee acquisition, improve employee relations, increase employee retention and even offer lower salaries for comparable staff to firms with weaker employer brands”
Ritson, M. (2002) Marketing and HE collaborate to harness employer brand power. Marketing, 24 October, p. 24.
Employer branding has been likened to any other product carrying a brand. It sells the company to the target audience. The brand must therefore appeal to the kind of individual that the company requires. It must be an attractive prospect for perspective employees who have the skill and knowledge needed to take the company forward. A company with staff who have a higher level of skill coupled with a wider knowledge-base creates a strong competitive advantage for that company over its competitors.
Employers of choice enjoy a plethora of benefits from having a strong employer brand in place. Well implemented employer brand goes a long way to reducing the cost of finding skilled employees, maintaining morale and drive within the company and retaining staff. To achieve the objectives of an employer brand the company must must not only project the correct image but also must maintain value proposition in real terms reinforcing why talented people would not only want to join the company but remain with the company in the longer term.
This is one more reason why we love it when we're briefed to make recruitment advertising. What else could set the heart racing as if we were on a first date?
ORIGINAL STORY:
the poke.
