NAS Talent Talk

Do Your Employees Surf at Lunch?

October 4, 2011 at 1:17 pm sarahwering 2 comments

No, I’m not talking about surfing the Internet. I’m talking about riding a wave.

I was finally able to catch up on reading my most recent issue of Outside Magazine (I highly recommend a subscription). The issue features the 50 Best Places to Work as identified by Outside. As I’m reading about these companies and all the great things they are doing to engage, retain and motivate employees, I started thinking “man, who wouldn’t want to work at these organizations?” Stipends for gym memberships, $1,000 annual credit toward equipment purchases, a 2½ hour lunch each week to surf or bike, time off to volunteer… and that’s just Smith Optics (#32)!

If you’re doing great things at your company, but haven’t yet explored how you can achieve best employer recognition or a similar award, now is the time. This is an excellent way to showcase your employment brand and will go a long way toward helping you attract that top candidate. Instead of always trying to figure out how you’re going to source for that next great candidate, develop a workplace that wins awards and the talent will come to you.

Of course, Outside Magazine offers just one of many awards you can aspire to achieve. Here are some other good ones to consider exploring:

• 100 Best Companies to Work For (Fortune)
• World’s Most Admired Companies (Fortune)
• World’s Most Innovative Companies (Fast Company)
• America’s Fastest Growing Companies (Inc.)
• Best Places to Launch a Career (Businessweek)
• Best Places to Work in IT (Computerworld)
• Top 25 Companies for Career Opportunities (Glass Door)
• Working Mother 100 Best Companies (Working Mother)
• 40 Best Companies for Diversity (Black Enterprise)

There may also be a host of local and regional best employer awards in your area. Contact your local business journal or SHRM Chapter and see how you can get your company registered.

If your company is already winning awards, promote them! Post it, send it, tweet it, share it – and have your employees do the same. This may just be your top recruitment tool. I put together some unique and innovative ways to help our clients promote their awards. If you’re interested, just connect with me and I’ll be happy to share them with you.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to catch the afternoon swell at Ocean Beach.

Matt Kaiser serves as Vice President and Talent Strategist for NAS. With more than 14 years of experience as a recruitment strategy consultant, Matt helps leading organizations uncover their unique brand identity, implement ideas to improve their candidate experience and incorporate innovative sourcing and social media strategies to creatively attract top talent. Matt is a graduate of The Florida State University. He is an author, blogger and featured industry speaker on best practices in Talent Management at national and international HR events.

Entry filed under: Employment Branding, LinkedIN, Recruitment Processes, Retention. Tags: .