Start Your Morning Right with 9am’s Branding Brew

Calling all Employer Branding aficionados!

It's time to grab your cuppa (or something a bit stronger, we don't judge) and strap yourselves in for another edition of 9am's Branding Brew.

Every month, we serve up a steaming hot dose of what's brewing in the ever-evolving world of Employer Branding. Think of it as your monthly caffeine hit of insights, trends and takeaways – guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing and your strategies sizzling.?

So, whether you're a seasoned Employer Branding pro or just dipping your toes into the talent pool, join us as we dive headfirst into the latest.

The mince pies are out, the Michael Bublé Christmas album is on repeat (we know you secretly love it!) and the office Secret Santa is causing chaos. Yep, that's right – the festive season is officially upon us! But beyond the questionable Christmas jumper choices, there’s a lesson for employer branding: culture matters.

Christmas reminds us of togetherness, generosity, and connection—the same elements that build a thriving company culture.? Think about those festive gatherings – the Christmas do, the Secret Santa, an impromptu catch-up over a gingerbread latte. These are the moments when your employees come together – they share stories, they laugh, they create memories that will last a lifetime. And in doing so, they strengthen the bonds that hold your company culture together.

This holiday season, go beyond tradition. Celebrate your team, acknowledge their hard work, and reinforce your values. It’s the best gift you can give them—and yourself.

In a world of curated feeds and glossy campaigns, authenticity cuts through. Enter Employee-Generated Content (EGC): a simple, impactful way to showcase real-life experiences at your company.

Your employees are your biggest fans (well, they should be!). They're the ones who know your company inside and out, who experience the culture firsthand, and who can provide an honest and relatable perspective on what it's really like to work for you. Give them the platform to share:

• Start a podcast: Let employees discuss their work and industry insights. Don't know where to start? Plus, with free platforms like Anchor, it's easier than ever to get started!
• Leverage social media: From LinkedIn shoutouts to workspace snapshots, it’s easy and relatable. And don't forget to check out Canva – their free version has loads of tools to help you create awesome visuals.
• Go TikTok: Hand over the reins for creative, behind-the-scenes content. CapCut's a great free app that'll give your TikToks a professional edge.

By encouraging your employees to share their stories, you're not only building trust and credibility with potential candidates, but you're also creating a sense of community and ownership within your workforce. It's a win-win situation!

South Gloucestershire Council just got a serious employer branding glow-up – and guess who was behind the magic??

Their new EVP? "100 ways to make a difference." It perfectly captures the incredible impact their work has on the community.

We gave their website a total makeover – think spa day, but for a website. Now, it's a talent magnet, pulling in the best and brightest.

And social media? Forget boring job postings! We're talking eye-catching campaigns that make people stop scrolling and say, "Hey, I want to work there!"

But it's not just about attracting new faces. We sprinkled some We Love 9am magic on their internal comms too, so current employees feel the love and get a boost of pride.

The end result? A brand that screams "amazing place to work!"

Meet Nat, she joined the team this month as our new Client Media Specialist, and we’re so happy to have her on board. Get to know her a little better:

• Nat's a Talent Magnet! With 10 years in HR and Talent Acquisition, she's a whizz at finding awesome people.
• She's Got the Employer Branding Bug! Nat's bringing her A-game to WeLove9am, ready to make some magic happen.
• Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee!? When she's not in the studio, you'll find her throwing punches in the boxing ring.
• Fashionista Alert! Nat's got a serious shopping habit – someone hide her credit card!
• Red Devil Through and Through! She's a die-hard Manchester United fan (we won't hold it against her).

“I'm passionate about building workplaces where everyone is empowered to have a voice”

Our two cents

At WeLove9am, we're all about helping businesses create employer branding that's as unique and awesome as they are. We believe work should be fun, and that starts with attracting the right people. So, ditch the boring job adverts and let your personality shine! Show candidates why your company is the place to be. Fancy a chat about your Employer Branding? Give us a shout! We're always up for a natter and a good brew.?