The first branding statement we preach is the emotional connection you must create with your audience because they’re people who need to be listened by the brands that inspire them.
When we talk about doing branding we should not think that it’s only for the external audience, branding goes far beyond that. A basic pillar to create brandlove starts with our internal customers, yes, our employees. Take a moment to analyze the situation with your employees, Are they happy with the workspace? Are they happy with the work flow? How good is the communication between you and them?
It’s quite important for your employees to feel happy and proud of working for you and for your brand so they can reflect it in their daily actions. Is not worth it to have unhappy employees working like robots without giving that little extra that could position your brand.
When your employees are dispirited it can be perceived by your external customers, and we’re not saying that you need to be tougher on them because that’s the anti #BRAIN-DING attitude that will ruin your business.
Here’s a list of the best companies to work for (according to Fortune Magazine) and what you can learn from them:
- Google:The company culture truly makes workers feel they’re valued and respected as a human being, not as a cog in a machine. The perks are phenomenal. From three prepared organic meals a day to unlimited snacks, artisan coffee, and tea to free personal fitness classes, health clinics, on-site oil changes, haircuts, spa truck, bike-repair truck, nap pods, free on-site laundry rooms, and subsidized wash and fold. The list is endless.
- ACUITY:“Have Fun” is a core value at this property and casualty insurer. Four ping-pong tables and a popcorn machine sit outside their cafeteria. Their summer family picnic is packed with rides, $250 door prizes, an adult casino and human foosball (a life-sized version of the popular table game). The lucky winner of Bossy Bingo left the festival with $5,000. Selfie days and beach bashes come together with high salaries (an average of $16K above industry average) and generous merit increases. Their Sheboygan headquarters boasts the country’s largest flagpole at 400 feet.
- The Boston Consulting Group: In cooperation with a Harvard Business School professor, the firm instituted a program called PTO–Predictability, Teaming, and Open Communication–that combines more conventional work-life balance efforts with attempts to rethink their work processes to make the work itself more meaningful. PTO has been a hit with employees. One consultant told us: “PTO is a proof [that] BCG really cares about making our lives manageable and make sure we don’t drop the ball on key life events. This is one of best things about the company and it is unique in the industry.
- Wegmans food market: Management cares about its employees and always asks how we are doing when we come into work or are just shopping. Employees are able to submit changes pertaining to their availability and scheduling by logging into the company’s online system, and may take unanticipated time off as needed by talking with their manager. Wegmans also promotes employee wellness with immunizations, yoga sessions, cooking classes, and a Store Wellness Champion at each location, where a pharmacist does health screenings and cheers employees on as they make healthy changes
Get closer to your employees and communicate with them, make them feel understood, that’s crucial engage #BRAIN-DING. Our employee’s attitude inside the company is the reflect of what we’re doing well or wrong if we create a work-space where they feel happy and committed we are creating a healthy culture in our company that will end up in the eyes of our external consumers.
Evaluate how your internal customers feel, just like you do with the external, listen to them, make them see how much you care about them and how important their work is for you and the company.
Let’s do #BRAIN-DING!