Think Different: Applying Steve Jobs's Marketing Wisdom to HR Strategy

In a famous speech about Apple's marketing strategy, Steve Jobs shared phenomenal insights that we find surprisingly relevant to the world of Human Resources (HR).

Core Principles of Value-Based HR

Jobs emphasized that marketing is about values. How can HR be a values, too?

• Clarity of Purpose: Define what your organization stands for clearly.
• Differentiation: Establish what makes your company unique as an employer.
• Emotional Connection: Create a workplace that resonates with employees' values.
• Consistency: Ensure your HR practices align with your stated values.
• Simplicity: Communicate your values in simple, memorable ways.

Ways to Create a Value-Based HR Strategy

Taking inspiration from Jobs's approach, here's how HR can build a value-centric strategy:

• Define Your Core: Identify the fundamental beliefs that drive your organization.
• Show, Don't Tell: Demonstrate your values through actions, not just words.
• Celebrate Passion: Recognize and reward employees who embody your values.
• Think Long-Term: Invest in your employer brand consistently over time.

Lessons from Apple's Branding for Employer Branding

Jobs's insights on brand management apply equally to employer branding:

• Stand Out: In a noisy world, make your employer brand memorable and distinct. Attention is the currency.
• Focus on Feelings: Don't just list benefits; create an emotional connection with potential employees.
• Invest Wisely: A strong employer brand requires ongoing care and investment.

Strategies to Honor You’re the “Different Ones” (or “Crazy* Ones”)

Jobs celebrated those who "think different." Here's how HR can do the same:

• Encourage Innovation: Create spaces for unconventional ideas to flourish.
• Embrace Diversity: Actively seek out and value different perspectives.
• Reward Risk-Taking: Recognize employees who challenge the status quo.
• Foster Creativity: Provide resources and time for creative problem-solving.
• Celebrate Failures: Treat unsuccessful attempts as learning opportunities.
• Share Success Stories: Highlight employees who've made a difference.

The Power of Purpose: 3 Ways to Align HR with Organizational Values

Jobs believed Apple was about more than making products. Similarly, HR should focus on the bigger picture:

• Connect to Mission: Ensure every HR initiative ties back to the company's mission.
• Empower Passion: Create opportunities for employees to pursue meaningful work.
• Cultivate Change-Makers: Develop programs that nurture employees' ability to make a difference.

Bringing It All Together

The bottom line is this: focusing on values, celebrating people’s uniqueness, and fostering a culture of innovation, truly make a difference.

As Steve Jobs said: "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."

As HR professionals, we have the power to create environments where these "crazy ones" can thrive and push our organizations – and the world – forward.

The "Think Different" approach to HR can transform strategies from merely functional and operational to truly inspirational. We can move beyond traditional HR practices to create workplaces that not only attract and retain top talent but also inspire employees to do the best work of their lives.

In the end, great HR, like great marketing, is about values, passion, and the belief that our work can change the world.?

Disclaimer: A Note on Inclusive Language

In this newsletter, we quote Steve Jobs's use of the phrase "crazy ones" as part of Apple's historic "Think Different" campaign. We acknowledge that this language, while intended to be inspirational in its original context, may be perceived as ableist or insensitive today.

Our use of this quote is solely to accurately represent Jobs's speech and the marketing campaign it inspired. We recognize the importance of using inclusive language that respects all individuals, regardless of their abilities or neurodiversity.

At Hacking HR we advocate for language that is respectful, inclusive, and empowering for all employees. When we reference the "Think Different" campaign or quote Jobs directly, we do so to discuss the underlying message of valuing unique perspectives and innovative thinking, not to endorse potentially problematic language.

We encourage readers to focus on the core message of celebrating diverse thinking and challenging the status quo, while being mindful of using inclusive language in their own communications and HR practices.

ENROLL NOW

We are THRILLED to invite you to enroll in your selected Certificate Programs for the January, 2025 Cohort. The programs starting in January include:

?? HR as Organizational Influencer

?? Compensation and Benefits Design Strategist

?? Strategic Workforce Development and Planning Strategist

?? Project Management for People Operations Professional

?? Organizational Development Specialist

?? Change Management Strategist

?? People and Data Analytics Strategist

?? Strategic HR Business Partner (first time ever: APAC-region timezone friendly!)

------

The Hacking HR's Certificate Programs are Master's Degree level programs!

Also, for the first time ever, we are offering the ONLY programs in the HR space that are virtual and LIVE (not pre-recorded!) and delivered by actual HR practitioners and leaders.

In addition, our programs are the most affordable anywhere in the world!!! They are all included in our annual membership at no additional cost (making them the highest quality and most affordable in the market!).

??Our programs are meant to be a complete immersive experience of learning, community and growth.

??Our faculty members are HR leaders delivering classes from head, heart and experience (not actors reading scripts).

??Our Certificate Programs offer between 40 and 60 HR certification credits and a certificate of completion.

??And... we are the most affordable (and highest quality!) academic offering for HR! All our certificate programs are included in our annual premium membership (which is only $159 per person, per year!) at no additional cost!

Hacking HR

We are powering the future of HR!

Hacking HR is the fastest-growing global community of people leaders and professionals interested in all things at the intersection of people, organizations, innovation, transformation, workplace and workforce, and more. We deliver value through hundreds of events a year, community engagement opportunities, learning programs, certificate programs, and more.

To join our community platform, the Hacking HR LAB, Click here .

Sponsoring the Hacking HR's Newsletter

Hacking HR is one of the largest HR communities on LinkedIn and the number one global community in terms of engagement.

We have over one million community members across all our platforms. Our LinkedIn page has over 820k followers; we have more than 60k members in our Hacking HR LAB community platform and over 800k subscribers in our Hacking HR and AI in HR LinkedIn Newsletters.