There is much discussion on Social Media Groups and by people posting blogs about Branding.

When you think about it…what is Employer Branding? Isn’t it employers doing the right thing by running a company that people respect and where employees want to work? Often I think if an employer has a catchy slogan they believe it is enough to attract attention, get people interested in their product and their brand is secondary.

Does everyone really believe you are in good hands with Allstate?

Does everyone think you will save 15% on Car Insurance by switching to Geico?

Does “Buy American” really mean it was made in America?

If you believe these all to be true then send me some of what you are ingesting.

These are all catchy slogans that through the years have been constantly in our face, repeated impressions upon repeated impressions. After a while it is like a form of brainwashing.

Did people really listen when E.F. Hutton spoke? Apparently not they are out of business.

Did you really think that Smith Barney did things “the old fashion way”? Hardly, they did it the same as everyone else.

Can an Employer Brand make or break a Company?

In my opinion, “yes” When the management of a company from the top down treats people with the respect they deserve and makes decisions within an organization based upon what is good for the company and rewards employee work ethic, catchy slogans are not critical. Employees will help them retain and attract quality talent.

There will always be those people, who for whatever reason when they leave a company, whether downsized or terminated, who will have negative things to say about their employer. However, if you know it’s not true and your other employees have nothing but positive things to say then that person will be like…the boy who cried wolf. No one will listen and their comments will fall upon deaf ears.

One problem is that employers are not practicing what they preach, they are downsizing in areas and at the same time giving huge bonuses. They are eliminating positions and then creating the same position using a different job title and hiring someone for half the salary. When that starts to happen you have uproar from many employees and then people start to listen. Not even a great slogan will come to the rescue.
Employer Branding should be nothing more than employers treating employees the way they want to be treated, making going to work enjoyable and staff feel as though they make a difference.

If employers have nothing but their own best interest in mind then an Employer Brand is about as effective as a square peg trying to fit in a round hole!

After all, does Frosted Flakes really taste “Great” ...OK that one I will give you.