As HR and talent leaders, you know that your company’s employer brand plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining top talent. But how do you create a compelling employer brand that truly reflects your organisation’s values, culture, and vision?

One fundamental principle that underpins successful employer branding is the involvement of your employees in the process. Employee consultation allows you to tap into the insights and experiences of the people who know your organisation best—your workforce.

By engaging with your employees, you can not only understand their perspectives but also ensure your employer brand authentically reflects the reality of working at your company.

Employee consultation is crucial for developing a strong employer brand. Involving your employees in your branding strategy can lead to increased engagement, motivation, and loyalty.

The Power of Employer Branding and Employee Consultation

When it comes to employer branding, employee consultation is often the missing piece of the puzzle. By actively seeking the opinions and experiences of your workforce, you can ensure your employer brand is both genuine and appealing. After all, who better to convey the realities of working at your company than the people who live it every day?

At the heart of employee consultation lies the concept of open dialogue between employees and management. This two-way communication helps foster a sense of trust and collaboration, enabling employees to feel valued and heard. In turn, this creates a stronger and more unified employer brand that resonates with current and prospective employees alike.

Benefits of Involving Employees in Your Branding Strategy

Increased Engagement
When employees are given the opportunity to participate in shaping their employer’s brand, they feel a sense of ownership and pride. This can lead to higher levels of engagement, as they feel connected to the company’s mission and values.

Enhanced Employee Loyalty
Employee consultation can strengthen the bond between your employees and your organisation. When employees feel their input is valued, they are more likely to remain loyal and committed to your company.

Authentic Employer Brand
By involving employees in the development of your employer brand, you can create an authentic and relatable image that truly reflects the workplace experience. This authenticity can be a powerful draw for attracting top talent.

Improved Employer Reputation
A well-regarded employer brand, built on the insights of your employees, can help elevate your company’s reputation within your industry and beyond.

Employer Brand Improves Recruiting Outcomes

A robust employer brand not only resonates with your existing employees but also plays a vital role in achieving your hiring objectives. It serves as a magnet that draws top talent to your organisation, enhances the response to your job advertisements, and improves the quality of applicants.

Attracting Top Talent

A well-crafted employer brand can set your organisation apart from the competition, making it more appealing to prospective employees. By showcasing your company’s values, culture, and employee experience, you can attract the kind of talent that aligns with your organisation’s goals and aspirations.

According to LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends report, a strong employer brand can reduce your cost per hire by up to 50% and lower your turnover rates by 28%. This clearly demonstrates the value of investing time and effort into building an authentic and compelling employer brand.

Boosting Job Ad Responses

A strong employer brand can also increase the response rate to your job advertisements. When candidates recognise your organisation as a great place to work, they are more likely to apply for open positions, helping you build a larger and more diverse talent pool.

The 2020 Employer Branding Study by CareerArc revealed that 75% of job seekers consider an employer’s brand before applying for a job. This underlines the importance of having a solid employer brand that not only captures the attention of potential candidates but also encourages them to take the next step and apply.

Improving the Quality of Applicants

A well-defined employer brand doesn’t just attract more applicants—it also helps you attract the right applicants. By clearly articulating your company’s values, mission, and culture, you can draw in candidates who align with your organisation’s ethos and are more likely to thrive within your team.

In fact, LinkedIn’s 2021 Global Talent Trends report found that a strong employer brand can lead to a 50% improvement in the quality of candidates. This can save you time and resources during the hiring process and ultimately result in a stronger, more cohesive workforce.

A compelling employer brand is essential for achieving your hiring objectives. It not only helps attract top talent but also boosts the response to your job ads and improves the quality of applicants. By investing in employee consultation and other employer branding initiatives you can create an authentic and appealing employer brand that supports your organisation’s growth and success.

Key Elements of Effective Employee Consultation

Understanding the importance of employee consultation is only the beginning. To truly harness the benefits, it’s crucial to approach the process in the right way. Here are a few fundamental principles to keep in mind:

Transparency
Be open and honest with your employees about the goals of the consultation process and how their input will be used.

Communication
Maintain clear lines of communication and make it easy for employees to provide feedback through various channels.

Inclusivity
Ensure that employees from all levels and backgrounds have the opportunity to contribute to the consultation process.

By keeping these key principles in mind, you can set the stage for meaningful employee consultation that drives tangible results for your employer brand.

Strategies for Conducting Employee Consultation

Now that we’ve established the importance of employee consultation and its key elements, let’s explore some practical methods for gathering employee feedback and incorporating it into your employer branding strategy:

Employer Brand Surveys
Distribute regular employee surveys, either online or in print, to gather feedback on various aspects of your organisation. This could include work environment, management style, training opportunities, and company culture. Ensure that you provide a safe space for employees to share their honest opinions. Eloquent have a robust process in helping you succeed with your employer brand, you can learn more about our employer brand marketing agency services here.

Workshops
Host interactive workshops where employees can engage in group discussions and brainstorming sessions related to your employer brand. This not only allows for the exchange of diverse ideas but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among your workforce.

Focus Groups
Organise focus groups with a cross-section of employees to delve into specific topics related to your employer brand. These discussions can help you uncover valuable insights into your employees’ experiences and expectations.

Individual Interviews
Offer employees an opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas at their own pace through in-person or live online interviews. Typically when engaging with an organisation to help them understand their employer brand, this is a key step in the employer brand consultation process.

Open-Door Policy
Encourage an open-door policy where employees feel comfortable discussing their experiences and ideas with their managers or HR representatives.

How to Turn Employee Feedback into Action

Gathering employee feedback is just the first step in the consultation process. The real challenge lies in transforming this feedback into actionable steps that will positively impact your employer brand. Here are some tips to guide you through this process:

Analyse the Feedback
Review the employee feedback and identify common themes or patterns. This will help you pinpoint areas of improvement or opportunity for your employer brand.

Prioritise Initiatives
Based on your analysis, determine which issues or suggestions are most critical and should be addressed first. Prioritising your initiatives will help you maximise the impact of your efforts.

Develop a Plan of Action
Create a detailed plan outlining the steps needed to address the identified issues or implement employee suggestions. This plan should include clear objectives, timelines, and assigned responsibilities.

Communicate Progress
Keep your employees informed about the progress of your action plan, including any successes or challenges. This ongoing communication will demonstrate that their input is valued and that you are committed to making improvements based on their feedback.

Measure Results
Evaluate the impact of your actions on your employer brand by tracking relevant metrics, such as employee satisfaction, retention rates, and recruitment success. This will help you assess the effectiveness of your consultation efforts and make necessary adjustments for future initiatives.

Eloquent can help you define and amplify your employer brand

In conclusion, employee consultation is a vital component of a strong employer brand. By engaging with your workforce, incorporating their insights, and taking action, you can create an authentic and compelling employer brand that resonates with both current and prospective employees. Embrace the power of employee consultation and watch your employer brand flourish.

Eloquent is your trusted partner for all your employer branding needs. With our extensive experience and proven track record, we’re here to help you create an employer brand that truly resonates with both current and prospective employees.

We understand the importance of a robust employee consultation process, and we’re committed to helping you navigate this journey with ease. Our team of experts will work closely with you to design and implement a customised consultation strategy that empowers your employees and uncovers the insights needed to build an authentic and appealing employer brand.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to transform your employer brand and achieve your hiring objectives. Get in touch with Eloquent today to learn more about our comprehensive employer branding services and discover how we can help you create an irresistible employer brand that attracts top talent, boosts job ad responses, and improves the quality of applicants.

Contact us now and let’s start building the employer brand you’ve always envisioned.