As an employer and leader, how well do you know what your employees actually think about your company? Especially for smaller companies, it can be a challenge to get an accurate picture using traditional methods. Did you know that a surprisingly high percentage of employees generally wouldn’t recommend their employer to a friend? Studies show that fewer than half would recommend their current employer.

In today’s climate, where competition for talent is fierce, there’s simply no alternative to working on your employer brand every day. And it doesn’t have to feel forced or difficult. If you’re a small business owner, you might be wondering how you can possibly find more time in a workday that’s already packed with operational tasks.

The answer is to start small. You’re sure to have plenty of great things to share about how you work with your staff. Sure, not everything may fit the mold of what a perfect employer should be, but first and foremost, choose to be proud of what you already have in place. That’s a great start.

We often talk about how a strong employer brand helps you with your talent acquisition. Not only do you retain your key employees longer, but you also attract talent that might otherwise choose other employers—and we’re talking about all roles and skill sets in general. Today, people want to work for a company with a well-established set of values, where the vision guides daily decisions and commitments—not just at the top level, but throughout the entire organization.

A passionate employee is a productive employee

Of course, there are also financial incentives that should be seen as a result of you, as an employer, doing the right thing. Ultimately, it’s about building successful companies that grow and are financially stable—which, in turn, creates an even better work environment when you can invest even more in it. A passionate employee is a productive employee. If you invest 10% more in boosting your employees’ passion, your company’s profits could increase by nearly 20,000 SEK per employee per year, according to a study by Glassdoor for Employers.

Conduct a survey to find out if your employees would recommend your company to a friend—what we call the eNPS. With our Hartic tool, you can run this survey right now. It’s quick and easy. And best of all, you can do this completely free of charge, as we’re offering a 14-day free trial of Hartic.

I want to conduct a survey to find out how my employees are doing.

A few simple tips to strengthen your employer brand

At ByHart, we have a clear model for how we work with our partners to strengthen their employer brand and create the workplaces of the future—places where people feel at home, thrive, and perform at their best. It’s not as complex a process as you might think; rather, it’s about laying certain foundations that guide the direction of your work and help you grow as an employer.

Here are a few simple tips that we know make a difference.

1. Create videos about new employees

One part of your onboarding process for new employees could be creating a video about and featuring your new rising star. Why not surprise them with a short interview where you ask a few questions? Share the video internally within the company. It’s a great way to immediately “break the ice” and help the employee feel like part of their new team.

There are plenty of simple editing apps you can use right on your phone. Don’t overcomplicate things. You don’t need to hire a professional—just keep it simple. What you can do yourself is really good enough in this case 😊

Be sure to post the video on your social media to further boost your company’s appeal.

2. Give compliments

Remember to celebrate the little things. Give each other compliments every day, whether through handwritten notes, verbal gestures, or cheerful messages via your digital tools. This is very simple and is more about fostering a mindset where , as a group, you create a culture in which you love to acknowledge one another. Go ahead and give it a try.

You should share great examples of this on your social media as well. Who wouldn’t want to work for a company that values its employees?

3. Highlight your "Why" and incorporate it into your job postings

When the competition for talent is fierce, you can stand out from the crowd of employers by taking your job postings to the next level. Elaborate on why candidates should choose you as an employer. Why are you so incredibly great? Of course, this assumes that you’ve done your homework and can draw on your core values. Unfortunately, it’s incredibly easy to get bogged down in job descriptions and who you’re looking for, but don’t forget that you also need to sell your company.

Include some photos that reflect the work environment in your job postings. Bring the "Why" you describe in the ad to life with photos of your happy employees. A great tip is to feature people in the photos. If they’re also smiling and having fun, we’ll be hooked and want to know more.

4. Include a careers page on the website

There are a few key elements you need to have in place when it comes to your digital presence. Your website is a vital showcase that very few companies—especially those with growth plans—can do without. Make sure you have a careers page, a page where people interested in your company can learn more about what it’s like to work there. Start with your “Why” here as well, fill it with images, and of course provide a way for readers to contact you.

Take a look at our careers page as an example.

5. Create a series of interviews

You’re probably on some social media platform, such as Instagram or Facebook. Create a series where you interview all employees, featuring a photo and three questions. This will give people a glimpse into your business.

Good luck with strengthening your employer brand!