September is a time of new beginnings. Even though the back-to-school jitters are a thing of the past for us at Blu Ivy Group, we think applying a “new student” mentality to the workplace is a great way to engage employees. Read on for some easy tips to improve your employer brand like a top student—but without hitting the books.
Make a Game Plan
Every good student knows that planning ahead for the upcoming year is a good way to help ensure success. These days there are plenty of websites to help students take charge of their school year, while for employers there’s glassdoor.com. Glassdoor is an online company that helps employers build their brand in order to attract top talent in their field. A free account allows you to update company information, respond to online reviews, and see vital metrics such as your company and CEO ratings. Show you care about public opinion: add company awards to your profile and respond to online comments. Using Glassdoor helps you attract the best talent and keeps your image positive on a public platform. It’s also a great way to plan for the future, just like a good student.
- What’s Your Major?
Successful students are passionate about their subject area. Similarly, deciding on clear pillars for your company and promoting them accordingly is crucial to the success of your employer brand. Once you have established what your company stands for, let the public know. Weekly social media updates can differentiate and humanize your company. Schedule posts that explore how you and your employees put your pillars into practice in day-to-day life. Nothing beats passion when it comes to both schoolwork and employer branding.
- Join a Club
Teachers and guidance counselors s always suggest students get involved in extracurricular activities. At your company, look for ways to expand the brand outside your usual scope. Be aware of potential networking events, associations to join, and community gatherings where you can promote your brand and make real life connections. Just as the ambitious freshman might join the debating club, finding innovative new ways to connect with the public and potential employees is a great strategy for your company.
- Social Media is Your Friend
Today students are able to garner both likes and opportunities by sharing their academic achievements online. Just as posting about a scholarly award on Facebook can get a student a job interview, posting about your company on social media is a great way to promote your brand. We love the tweets put out by Beer Store CEO Ted Moroz—his humour and personal touch makes people want to engage with the company both online and in real life. Good graduates know how to promote themselves digitally in this technology-driven world, and your company can do the same.
Going back to school can be a little stressful, but it’s also a time for fresh starts and new ideas. Use this September as an opportunity for your brand to engage, assess, and move forward. It’s a good first step toward making the employer brand honour roll.
About Blu Ivy Group
Blu Ivy Group is a leading employer branding and employee engagement consultancy that aligns your organization with contemporary workplace paradigms. Our mission is to help client’s build award-winning people practices, inspire extraordinary employee engagement, and cultivate unique and desirable workplaces. We provide integrated solutions in employer brand and engagement research, strategic consulting, employer brand integration, creative and talent communications.
Blu Ivy Group is a trusted partner to many of North America’s most respected employer brands. For more information, visit us online at bluivygroup.com or contact us at info@bluivygroup.com.