The show must go on

How do you manage to drive and maintain employment interest in an organisation whilst it is going through a process of restructuring and re-alignment for the future?

Perceived to be laying off with one hand and recruiting with another - how do you manage that message?

The positioning of a brand is key when looking at attracting new talent, but how can you continue to appeal to people and encourage quality applications in the face of activity in areas of the business around reducing the number of employees within the organisation?

We believe the thought lies around how to present to the market an accurate depiction of what is taking place within the organisation, providing full and thorough facts, information and where possible statistics that allow people to feel informed and that what they are being told is open and honest.

Our thoughts rest more around brand communications than overtly obvious recruitment messages.

For example, the social "chatter" will be occurring regardless, so it is important to interact where possible (and as much as possible) and more importantly to listen and understand what is being said and recognise any trends.

The organisation needs to ensure that there is a vehicle in place to act as the go-to destination for timely and accurate information that is wholly sponsored by the brand and encourage as much free discussion through this - and any supporting channels - as possible.

Whether incumbent, transitioning or external potential talent, people will want to be informed and will invariably want to pass comment on the situation which will obviously have a positive or negative feel to it. Whether this takes the form of a physical environment internally, maybe a dedicated space or area in an office building, or if it manifests itself as an online portal or network, it is the honesty and accuracy of the content of the communications that will make the difference.

It is not uncommon for the scenario above to be in place, certain areas of a business downsizing or re-structuring to a more streamlined or more focussed extent - but there will of course be an ever present requirement of the need to drive sales - so customer service and sales could be recruiting?

Managing the communications to protect the image of the organisation is key to ensuring that your reputation is managed and protected.