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The Value of Social Responsibility when Differentiating Your Staffing Firm

November 18, 2014 Branding 0 Comments

If your goal is to remain competitive and viable, Corporate Social Responsibilityit is imperative that you differentiate your staffing firm and stand out from your competitors. A great way to position your company within the industry is to tell your target audience what makes you different and why they need to do business with your staffing firm. Underestimating the value of social responsibility in staffing firm differentiation is a mistake to avoid. In order to attract like-minded, socially responsible clients and candidates, it is important that you clearly communicate your objectives and stress the areas where you exhibit responsible business practices.

Why is CSR Important?
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a way to self-regulate your business practices and ensure that you are not only in compliance with the law, but that you are holding your team to a higher set of ethical standards. Potential clients and candidates like to see that a staffing firm is thinking beyond the interests of their company and the bottom line. Companies that embrace responsibility for their corporate actions and give back to society are respected within the industry and recognized for their role in shaping the social fabric of their communities. CSR is also an important part of your company culture that allows your team to feel like they are contributing to the greater good and helps to shape your staffing firm’s brand image.

Build Your Brand
In order to build your staffing firm’s brand and foster a culture of social responsibility, it is imperative that you immerse your company into the community. Discover ways to help the people in your business market, and set realistic, attainable goals for your team. Do you want to run a social giving campaign to support a cause that is important to your target audience? Do you hope to encourage your team to donate their time by helping others in the community? Foster ingenuity by sponsoring a local science fair or providing opportunities for your recruiters and sales managers to impact the society as a whole. Staffing firms that incorporate social responsibility into their marketing initiatives and make social involvement an important part of their missions, are able to strengthen their brand value and create loyal brand ambassadors.

Stay True To Your Mission
Whether you create a mission statement, outline your guiding principles, or define your company values, begin the process by asking yourself some critical questions. What is your company trying to achieve, and how are those plans going to be worked into your mission statement? What kinds of activities do not align with the company’s guiding principles? Set aside time to discuss mission goals with your team, and ask them what social causes they support as individuals. People are more apt to work toward a common goal when they are able to personally relate to the charity. Connect with clients and candidates on a deeper level by participating in socially responsible initiatives, and your organization is bound to benefit from the positive feedback in the form of new business opportunities and a boost to your staffing firm’s brand image. Although the pressure of running a business in this ever-changing economy sometimes makes it hard to stay focused on your vision, remember to always stay true to your mission and make ethical business decisions.

Give Back
There are many ways to differentiate your staffing firm and embrace the philosophy of giving back to your community, so take the time to determine what works best for your individual organization. Are you trying to encourage your team to reach their sales goals? Introduce a company-wide social rewards program that generates a charitable donation in the employee’s name each time a goal is achieved. While the employee feels good knowing that his or her accomplishments are in turn helping others who are less fortunate, potential clients and candidates are attracted to the powerful way that your company is demonstrating the value of social responsibility in staffing firm differentiation. Partner with a local charity and reward your employees’ hard work by giving them time off to volunteer at a homeless shelter or community food bank. Develop a basic volunteer policy that provides employees with the inspiration to give back and ensures that others are not taking advantage of this philanthropic opportunity.

There’s Always Room for Improvement
Once your goals have been set and your socially responsible initiatives are tied into your marketing efforts, remember that your work is not over. An important way to differentiate your staffing firm is to regularly examine your business practices and ensure that your staffing firm’s brand image remains strong. When attempting to maintain a position of leadership within your niche of the staffing industry, you must understand that there is always room for improvement. Demonstrate the value of social responsibility in staffing firm differentiation by showing clients and candidates that philanthropic strategies are at the heart of your business practices in order to instill brand loyalty and ensure the long term health of your company.

Key Takeaways for Social Responsibility when Differentiating Your Staffing Firm:S.J.Hemley Marketing

  1. Make corporate social responsibility an integral part of your staffing firm business model
  2. Design a culture of social responsibility in order to build your brand image
  3. Create a company mission statement and ensure that your team stays true to your company values
  4. Determine what works best for your organization and formulate ways to give back to the community
  5. Constantly reassess your business practices and remember that there is always room for improvement

About S.J.Hemley Marketing
S.J.Hemley Marketing is a marketing and sales consulting firm focused on driving tangible results for professional services firms. Brand matters, but not without ROI. With over 20 years of sales and marketing experience within staffing and recruiting, we have helped to drive successful branding, sales training, lead generation activities as well as defining marketing strategy for top organizations.



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