I recently had the pleasure of speaking at the Society of American Florists Convention. It is truly one of the most joyous events I attend all year. This year a vendor created and introduced the “tie dyed rose”. It was the talk of the event for its creativity and uniqueness. It stood out!! This got me to thinking, what if we all “stood out” for our uniqueness and creativity as an individual, product or company. What if we used this unique advantage to attract and retain new and existing employees?
We all have hopes of hiring the next Bill Gates, Steve Jobs…that individual who is a creative thinker and makes a difference in your company, the industry and on the planet. My guess is that these folks are attracted to companies that are already doing those things…like attracts like!
The market is getting tight and it is becoming more challenging to find qualified and I recently had the pleasure of speaking at the Society of American Florists Convention. It is truly one of the most joyous events I attend all year. This year a vendor created and introduced the “tie dyed rose”. It was the talk of the event for its creativity and uniqueness. It stood out!! This got me to thinking, what if we all “stood out” for our uniqueness and creativity as an individual, product or company. What if we used this unique advantage to attract and retain new and existing employees?
Chances are that you already know what makes your organization unique and different but you don’t publicize this information externally, now is the time!
– Do you give back to the community/planet? If so, what types of projects do you participate in and how much do you give back?
– What evens do you participate in?
– What does your company stand for? What is your mission, your vision and your values?
– Describe the environment they will work in. Is it casual, formal, fast paced, or relaxed?
– What do you offer to employees that are same/different than other employers?
If you offer benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k, disability, legal support, wellness); tell them. If you offer company trips, Halloween parties, Fitbits, summer hours, financial planning classes; tell them.
Many of our clients offer amazing benefits and perks to their employees and didn’t communicate this to potential candidates in their advertisements, social media or interviews. Potential employees have choices and want to work in an environment that is cutting edge, and values new and different ways of thinking. To attract and retain this type of employee you must actively and loudly communicate your value proposition, difference and uniqueness.