Your Organization’s Best Ambassador

I’ve written a lot about your organization but haven’t talked at all about your organization’s employees.  Specifically, how public relations is so important in the way you communicate with your employees.  Today is the day I do that.

If there is anything that you take away from this article today it is this:

Your organization’s most important brand ambassador is your employees!

So how do you make them proud to be your brand ambassador? 

Let me give you a hint.  These are all things that your organization should already be doing.   

• Build trust 
• Open Communication
• Show them that they are valued
• Give them ownership

Build Trust

Building trust isn’t only doing the big things, it’s also about doing the little things.  Do you forgive them for little mistakes? Do you invest in their success by providing a professional development budget? Do you tell them directly that you trust them?

Open Communication

Keeping your employees in the loop is important.  Is your organization short on funds?  Is it struggling to continue certain programs?  Was there a scandal that may influence the organization?  Let your employees know what is going on so they are never blind-sided if something goes public.

Show them that they are Valued

We all like to know that we are valuable to the people or person we answer to.  It can be as simple as telling someone you value them or saying “thank you”.  It can be done by creating flexible schedules or giving them permission to work from home.  It can also be done with small tokens of appreciation or an award of some kind.

Give them ownership

Allowing someone to take ownership instills empowerment and confidence.  It reiterates your trust and belief that they are valuable.  Give them the opportunity to create content for their program.  Make them the lead in a committee they’ve shown interest in.  Create an opportunity for them to share their special talent with the organization.

Long story short, your employees will be your best brand ambassadors because you’ve treated them how you want to be treated.  A little “Golden Rule” can go along way – for your employees and your organization.