A Positive One Draws Talent, While a Negative One Repels.
According to a recent article published with CNBC by Nicholas Wyman, CEO of the Institute of Workplace Skills and Innovation, the US is in the midst of a “grave problem.” While roughly 10 million Americans are unemployed, there are also millions more that are underemployed.
Despite the unemployed and underemployed, there are over 5 million jobs that have not been filled. Why? The reason is that there are not enough people with the practical skills required for the positions. The gap in skill set is hindering both our national growth and threatens our ability to compete globally.
Our nation needs skilled workers. By 2020, one in three jobs will require candidates to have a background that includes higher education.
So, where does that leave us today? For the first time in a long time, it is going to be a competitive candidate-driven market. To recruit and retain top talent, you need to focus and build a positive company culture.
Here are a few tips:
Be Inclusive
It’s a business, not a popularity contest. Favoritism will never lead to anything good on the professional front.
When employees feel excluded or like an “outsider,” that quickly turns to negative feelings. Negativity has a ripple affect that can spread far and wide.
It is essential that employees truly feel like they are a part of a team and that their personal role has merit in the overall company achievement. Remember that more can be accomplished when your talent is invested in the company’s success.
Promote Diversity
According to survey results in a recent blog by Glassdoor, 67% of active and passive job seekers said that when evaluating companies and job offers, an important factor is a diverse workforce.
There are countless benefits to a diverse workforce. Many points of view, increased feedback and a variety of expertise will lead to innovative solutions. A diverse group of ages, genders, backgrounds, and experiences are the perfect ingredients for a recipe to create company growth and expansion.
Offer Challenges
A position that is one-dimensional with duties that seem “automated” can be dull and boring. When employees are not engaged in their responsibilities, it hurts the company culture. It may even lead to “slackers.” To keep momentum, excitement and a positive workforce, create challenges.
The easiest way to understand why creating challenges for talent is important is by taking a look in the mirror. When you reach a goal or accomplish something that you have been striving for, how do you feel?
Again, it is the ripple affect. When you create this feeling in others around you, a feeling of accomplishment, your company culture improves.
Allow for Autonomy
I think Steve Jobs said it best when he said, “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.”
You hire talent because they have an area of expertise and add value. Likewise, as much as you try, it is not feasible to know it all. We need each other, as individuals, to work together as a team and teach each other in order to grow and develop properly.
No matter what level an employee is, from top to bottom, allow for your talent to offer opinions and make decisions.
Find Ways to Relieve Stress
Some jobs are more stressful than others, but no matter what position you have in a company many jobs can be stressful at times. To keep a positive culture during stressful times, take measures to alleviate stress. Give away tickets or offer discounts to local attractions outside of the office.
Organize a contest or raffle. Buy lunch for all the employees one day or host a picnic during good weather. Or, plan a team-building event with fun games and exercises, which is also a way to bring employees together.
Start at the Top
Perhaps it goes without saying, but the only way to really achieve a positive company culture is when leaders in an organization take part. Lead by example. Be professional, be honest, be fair and recognize talent. It really is that simple.
Company Culture Carries Weight
Based on a report by Glassdoor, 69% of job seekers would not take a job with a company that had a bad reputation, even if they were hired. 63% of LinkedIn users who are not actively seeking a new opportunity admitted that, given the right message, they could be interested in a change.
Company culture and the way you deliver your message about your culture to candidates is more important than ever. Branding is just as important in recruitment as it is for marketing and sales. Your company culture will help draw top talent to your company, just like a magnet.
A great way to promote company culture is through a cultural video. Digi-Me offers cultural videos that are measurable, trackable, mobile-enabled and sharable on social media. To learn more, visit digi-me.com.
This article was published in REVIA Magazine, Issue #10. Click here to subscribe.
