While engagement initiatives are hinged primarily on current employees, most employee surveys don’t capture the perceptions of people your company has lost or wishes to hire.

Your company’s employee value proposition should paint a clear picture of why an employee would choose to work for your business over seeking employment elsewhere. Having an effective EVP is the key to attracting employees whose values are closely aligned with your business.

Steps towards an effective EVP

An EVP doesn’t happen overnight. It takes commitment and a genuine interest by an organisation to be transparent and call themselves to be accountable to their employees.

It means putting your staff first!

Step 1

Start with a clearly defined vision

The first step is to define your company’s vision.

An organisational vision is a driving force behind interactions between management, staff, and customers.

In order to be effective, the statement should clearly and concisely communicate the goals of your company.

Step 2

Build a strong workplace culture

Your workplace culture should reflect the values of your business and its employees.

When writing your EVP, be sure to illustrate what a day in the office looks like. This might include things like frequently used office technologies, social gatherings, volunteer opportunities or even dress code policies.

Anything your organisation does to be intentional about culture growth and maintenance should be included in the EVP.

Be sure to reserve a section where you can provide insight into how employees are managed and the ideas that make up your company.

Step 3

Explain your compensation package

Compensation includes much more than just salary. Things like monetary bonuses and development opportunities are also part of this package. That’s why if your organisation offers a compensation plan that is unique – it needs to be included in your EVP.

Start by taking an inventory of the many ways that each position is compensated. This may include travel opportunities, incentives, recognition programs, health benefits or even unlimited vacation.

Step 4

Outline benefits that make you unique

If you are a seasoned employee, the perks of working for the company may seem ordinary to you. For someone looking in from the outside, those same perks may be things that other companies are not offering.

Things like work on boarding, team growth and the ability to grow personally have become highly sought after in recent years. Scheduling flexibilities like telework or flexible business hours in certain industries can be huge selling points for prospective employees. Other benefits might include an on-site gym membership, a transit subsidy or even social programs.

These benefits should be clearly outlined in your EVP.

Industrial employers can add further value with skills like leading teams, delegating, driving change, project management and innovation (both in client experience and in ways of working).

Step 5

Highlight your learning & development program

The ideal employee will constantly seek to improve their knowledge and skills. This is why your EVP should showcase the ways that you allow employees to continue advancing their skill set.

Although learning and development programs may not be the first thing you think of when you consider the perks of a job, they should never be overlooked. Things like certification opportunities, one-on-one meetings, coaching capabilities and succession planning are all important points that should be addressed.

Things like formal training, badging and other development opportunities should also be included if available. Your EVP should demonstrate to prospective employees the breadth of your learning and development program. It should also include examples of past and present employees that have used these tools to advance their careers.

The time is now!

If your ready to attract and retain the top talent in the industry, creating an effective employee value proposition is a great first step.

When done correctly, your company’s EVP will help prospective employees see exactly why they want to join and remain with your company. Once developed, you can use resources such as developmental programs and recruitment agencies to begin your search for employees whose values and goals align with yours.

At the core of many successful businesses is a well-developed employee value proposition plan. For prospective hires, this plan can paint a picture of what it is like to work for your company. And for you as the employer to attract and retain your industry’s top talent.

It fundamentally gives insight into the way your company operates. Including organisational goals, the workplace culture, the compensation package, various benefits and the learning and development program. Together, these 5 components can help your business attract, recruit and retain the brightest minds in the industry.

 

Guest commentary from Jason Borowicz.

Collaboration Coach and Speaker