05 Sep Attracting New Hires Through Corporate Reputation and Social Responsibility

We’ve all seen the ‘cool’ places to work…there are awards for this category and most companies have the foosball table, unique breakroom, perhaps a beautiful view and a coveted wellness program. But what happens when you have a great place to work but you aren’t attracting the right candidates because your corporate reputation is either unknown or worse tarnished?
Studies are showing more than ever millennials, in particular, are making more choices based on the authenticity of companies, brands, and want to be a part of making a difference in their community.
That’s where public relations can help be a tool in your strategy box and aid in building or repairing corporate reputation as well as establishing the type of human resources environment your company is looking for.
So where exactly do you get started? Check out our handy tips and get ready to implement significant changes to your company environment.

Adopt a ‘real’ corporate responsibility plan. We’ve seen companies say they have a corporate responsibility plan and perhaps even have a page on their website dedicated to explaining such. But many times, from a PR perspective, we see that it’s just lip service, self-benefitting or underutilized. That’s where we recommend coming up with a social responsibility plan that matters and makes an impact. Form a team to work on this goal and figure out what is meaningful to your organization. Perhaps it’s an environmental issue affecting your headquarter’s location or a way to help youth excel at life. Whatever the cause is, be sure that it has a real meaning of origin, the passion behind it and that you have actionable steps you can take to raise awareness, funds, and support for the cause.

Implement a calendar and stick to it. Many times once a corporate responsibility statement is set, it falls short when it isn’t put into an actionable plan on a calendar. Set dates when fundraising will happen, for example, or set goal deadlines and ensure they occur. The critical piece is to develop a schedule that allows for planning, communication, and also evaluation post charitable event. Also, a pro-tip would be to implement actions to occur either every month or at least every other month. Having a social responsibility arm that acts only once a year won’t make the cut in establishing a reputation difference.

Have a strong communications plan. No one will know of an organization’s amazing efforts if they do not adequately communicate them to their targeted public. That means, get ready to preemptively promote your efforts on social media, news stations, trade publications, internal communications, and marketing materials. Stand proud and get behind the cause your organization has championed and make sure that every touch point internally or externally recognizes the efforts being made to make a difference. This will be how reputation is built and managed from a foundational level. Consider adding a standard message in signature lines and even auto responses. Anyone interacting with your company will get the message loud and clear that this business gives back in a big way.
There are many more ways to solidify your company’s reputation and attract new hires who care about making a difference. By implementing the three points listed above will make a serious impact on your reputation right out the gate.
We encourage you to stay authentic, seek substantial giveback and true stories of life-changing results, and that will be a big piece in arming your company with the reputation that many will want to work for.
For help establishing your social responsibility plan, getting awareness for the efforts you’re currently employing or for overall strategic analysis, give us a call or email info@nspublicrelations.com.