Why should you care about culture, really?

Culture + Employer brand?

This is a candidate’s market. If you want great employees - become a great employer and see the ROI.?

290,000 full-time workers have left the UK food sector according to ONS data, and like I said previously, the sector also has to deal with the ageing workforce issue.??

2 years of HARD graft with long hours, no holiday, no reprieve and now what….expected to just carry on like business as usual? Those in the industry kept in going, and it was a THANKLESS task.?

Has the food manufacturing or FMCG sector got a reputation for great culture? In a word, no.

COVID was the final catalyst for people to leave the industry. It's time to make those in the industry feel valued - let's be honest, it's not going to come from external sources, so businesses need to champion, acknowledge and reward their employees efforts.??

Let's be real - the ageing workforce thing. Times have changed and the workforce of today know what they want - to attract the best you have to be the best.??

Are you the best??

Let's look at the data:?

• 86% of job seekers research company reviews and ratings to decide if they should apply?
• 50% of candidates would not work for a company with a bad reputation, even for an increase in pay?
• A strong employer brand can reduce cost per hire by as much as 50%?
• A negative reputation can increase cost per hire by 10%?
• Companies that invest in employer brand reduce staff turnover by 28%?

Culture and employer brand has everything to do with your ability to recruit and retain. The world of work is changing - we've had to reflect and adapt ourselves.

Remote working, flexible working, taking diversity and inclusion seriously employee appreciation - it's not about lip-service anymore.??

Your employees should be loyal brand advocates, singing your praises as an employer - not because they are forced to do so, because they genuinely feel that way.

It's not a PR exercise, it's a people exercise, and it very much sits with HR.??

If you want to attract and retain great employers, you need to become a great employer.?

Until then - you know where we are if you need us.??

Lukas.??