5 ways to build a great ‘employer brand’
Employer branding is one of the most important aspects of any business, large or small. A successful employer brand strategy gives you a major edge in the increasingly competitive market. Simply put, your employer brand is your promise to employees and future candidates; it tells them what to expect from applying and working at your company, and differentiates what you’re offering from other companies fighting for top talents. Here are a few tips from Bayt.com, the Middle East’s #1 job site, to help you build a great employer brand for your company:
Introduce a health policy
The Bayt.com ‘Health and Lifestyle in the Middle East and North Africa’ poll, March 2016, revealed that 96% of professionals in the MENA region believe it is an employer’s responsibility to promote employees’ health and wellness. Health and wellness benefits are among the top benefits job seekers want to see when applying for a job. Bayt.com, for example, encourages all employees to lead a healthy lifestyle, both inside and outside the office. Each employee has an annual fitness allowance to join a gym of their choice, and our pantries are stocked daily with fresh fruits and vegetables for everyone to enjoy.
Allow flexible hours
Flexible hours have become a common work arrangement in many companies across the region and the world today. Allowing employees to work the stipulated work hours, but at timings of their own choosing relieves stress for many professionals who have obligations, such as dropping their children to school in the morning or taking care of an elderly parent, etc. This work arrangement helps employees achieve a better work-life balance, and in turn, yields happier, more satisfied and more productive employees.
Hold regular events
It is no secret that we spend the majority of our days at work, and this can lead to burnout if the office doesn’t offer some form of relief. Every once in a while, plan a fun activity for your employees. This can be an office lunch or a picnic if the weather permits. Always celebrate important milestones, achievements and major holidays as a team, and provide entertainment options at the office.
Career development plays a key role in the lives of the majority (85%) of professionals across the MENA region, and 82% would leave their current company for better training opportunities, as revealed in the Bayt.comCareer Development in the Middle East and North Africa survey, January 2016. Ensure that you’ve implemented internal and external learning structures and that you’re fostering a culture of learning throughout your company. This can be done via a multitude of ways, such as online courses and seminars, social learning and mentorship, in-house training programs, and even company-sponsored scholarships for higher education.
Promote your brand
Social media is a great way of creating an impression on customers and future employees. Being active on social media and creating a consistent employer brand helps people identify you instantly. Make sure you create a company page on Bayt.com and that your page is current and regularly updated. Talking about your company culture, your commitment towards employees and enabling two-way communications helps establish trust towards the company brand. This could in turn attract top talent. According to the Bayt.com ‘Social Recruiting in the Middle East and North Africa’ poll, October 2014, 81% of professionals agree that online social platforms, such as Bayt.com Specialties, are a good way for employers and job seekers to get together and engage in industry-related questions and discussions.
About Bayt.com
Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the Middle East with more than 40,000 employers and over 25,500,000 registered job seekers from across the Middle East, North Africa and the globe, representing all industries, nationalities and career levels. Post a job or find jobs on www.bayt.com today and access the leading resource for job seekers and employers in the region.