The Truth Behind Attracting Top Talent Through Cause Marketing – Forbes
With talent in high demand, companies cant recruit the best unless they have a unique and positive offer, and these days its not just about the package. In a candidate-driven market, HR leaders in survey after survey have underlined the challenge of filling senior and executive positions. The top people by definition will have options, so they are often looking for that something extra that makes an opportunity really special and gives them additional motivation to sign on to a new company.
To deal with this challenge, companies usually try to appeal to the tangible advantages. This includes salary and benefits. But it will also invariably focus on the job itself, and how it will be better than their current post: more opportunity, more seniority, more creativity. Sometimes it works. But often it does not. What can companies add to tilt the odds in their favor and bring that new recruit over the line?
Our Better Angels. Having a powerful social mission that speaks to a higher purpose and true motivating values of the company can be a very strong magnet for top talent. It offers the chance to be part of a mission bigger than just profit and sales, and shows that the people in the company are a community joined by a common purpose.
Having a powerful social mission that speaks to a higher purpose and true motivating values of the ... [+] company can be a very strong magnet for top talent.
A standout example is San Francisco-based Fireclay Tile, one of the few design companies to have achieved B Corporation certification as a socially and environmentally responsible business.
Having a framework of social responsibility and being very clear and transparent about it is something that many, many people have been very excited by, explains CEO Eric Edelson. As a result, we are able to hire people away from larger companies. They want to work for a brand that is producing something beautiful and also achieve something special for the world, together, rather than just making and selling tile and focusing on profit.
How to Adopt Cause Marketing. Taking this approach on board can provide real benefits, but it is not a simple fix. Here are some of the key steps:
Words of Caution. In adopting a social mission, bear in mind these two critical points:
For Fireclay, however, the benefits of this effort have been significant. Weve always been looking for missionary over mercenary, says Edelson. But since having the B Corp certification, it has naturally been more consistent we are not only living our values but broadcasting them more. We cant say we are saving the world, but we are committed to making the largest contribution we can, and this is an attractive differentiator, especially for a younger generation looking for a mission-driven organization. They feel theres a higher purpose than just making money, and this definitely helps us attract and retain personnel.
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The Truth Behind Attracting Top Talent Through Cause Marketing - Forbes