Businesses spend millions of dollars each year on branding, yet they often overlook an essential part – their employees. While your company was a brand before hiring any of your staff, they are a critical component to maintaining the brand’s reputation. Research has concluded on several occasions that consumers often base their feelings about an organization on the type of service they receive. A company can have a great logo, strong social media presence, and an impeccable website, and still fall short if they aren’t investing in their employees.
Show them you care and they’ll advocate for you
Your staff is the bloodline of your business. When you show them that they are more than just a person at a desk making your money, they will return the favor by advocating for the business and putting their best foot forward. Below are just a few ways you can do more to show your employees that you care.
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Performance-based rewards
With new advancements in software, rewarding employees can be fairly easy. New forms of performance management software, for instance, allow you to monitor the performance of your company overall as well as the performance of each of your staff. When your employees perform well, it reflects on your brand and as such deserves a reward. Whether you give them a few extra bucks in their next pay, allow them to earn days off, or buy them lunch, they will be appreciative.
Lead effectively
Effective leadership can greatly shape how employees advocate for a company. If they work for a boss that in their opinion is barely there, aggressive, or inapproachable, then chances are they will share these types of stories with their friends, family members, and whoever else will listen. If you’ve ever seen an employee ranting on social media before, you know exactly what that can do to a brand in just a matter of seconds. It is important that you be there for your staff, lead by example, and tend to their professional needs as they arise.
Create a spirit of community in the workplace
Employees are willing to advocate for an employer that makes them feel like part of something special. Try to create an environment that makes employees feel like they belong. Embracing diversity, showcasing positivity, and always providing a communal place where employees can socialize are just a few ways that you can make the workplace feel more like a community. Group outings or events and other fun incentives can also let them know it’s more than just a place you frequent 35 hours a week.
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Give back
Employees love to talk about companies that give back. Whether you become a sponsor for a community event, or you donate to charities that your staff cares about, it’s a great way to show them that you’re devoted to the community.
Advocate for them
Employees want to know that their employers are willing to go to bat for them as well. Find out what it is your employees want or need and go to bat to help them accomplish this. Help them resolve their issues as they arise, put in a good word for them if they need a recommendation for a promotion or educational purpose, or even brag about them at corporate events.
Your employees are more valuable to your brand than you may have imagined. Not only do you need staff that can get the job done and satisfy clients, but you also want them to speak highly of your brand. To do this, you’ve got to provide them with incentives. Some of the happiest employees are often some of the best advocates as they want to see the company succeed. Start doing more today for your employees and watch how positive word of mouth improves your brand.