We’ve all been there. It’s the End of Q2 (Or the beginning of Q3), and you look back at what’s been accomplished and what’s still pending - to make sure all targets are met.
We also know that there’s a pretty good chance that your strategy was ambitious and included so many layers, you might not have time to accomplish all.
And if we’re mind readers (Or just because we’ve been there before) - Most likely you’ve accomplished the tactical solutions and quick wins, while the infrastructure was left behind (cause who has the time when you have a deadline?).
Just like you can build a house without foundations - but it won’t last long, building your strategy without infrastructure pillars will impact your overall success.
We’ve gathered 5 steps to take this month, to make sure your strategy has the right infrastructure in place.
Start with the Why
Or - Why breaking the status quo will bring the best results
Questioning every little thing about your strategy can be overwhelming or annoying, but that’s an amazing way to break the status quo. No matter if you’re building a whole new strategy or re-creating something you’ve used before - understanding the why behind it helps you make sure you hit your goals. Breaking out our existing assumptions and notions can be tricky especially if you’ve built your expertise, but it can help remove biases and improve your creativity. Best approach to take to make it happen? Use Beginners mindset - would it make sense to you if you just started working on it and had no historic context?
Take Inventory
Or - Why data-based strategy is the key to success
It might sound basic - but that’s usually the task that gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. When building your Strategy, whether focusing on Employer Brand, Recruitment Marketing, or both, knowing exactly what you’re working with is beyond beneficial. Mapping out your assets, messaging and other data points (Glassdoor ranking, Followers on Social) is the key to defining the right goals and tracking progress. No existing data points? Start measuring.
Bonus points - have any internal data you can measure? Internal improvements are as important as external.
Define Processes
Or - Why Process is the king
We know we know - Process is the most boring word we could have chosen. But, Defining processes can help you scale your work, and saves you time and burnout - and especially when there’s just one you and plenty of work - who doesn’t want additional time during the day? Our recommendation - Review your work with key stakeholders to identify where you need a process in place to save time. Spending hours on approvals? Getting multiple requests on the same topic? Processes are the answer to your problems. Want to take it to the next level? Interview your key partners to identify pain points and blindspots you might not be aware of.
Priorities
Or - Why do you need to re-evaluate constantly
Just like any other business objectives - Employer Brand and Recruitment Marketing priorities change based on the direction the business is heading, roadmap, and hiring trends (both internal and external). And although the north star stays the same, things shifting means your strategy shifts with it. Best approach - divide your strategy into short-term and long-term pillars, so even when change is required - not everything has to shift - leaving room for flexibility and change.
Partnerships
Or - Why Employer Branding and Recruitment Marketing are team sports
The most challenging part of building a holistic strategy is making sure ALL stakeholders are on the same page. Reminding them that Employer Branding and Recruitment Marketing are team sports can help make a difference. Working together on shared goals, in cooperation, as one team - is the key to winning at any game - and especially in the Employer Brand/Recruitment Marketing game. And that way, no one drops the ball…😉
