Employee Advocacy: Unconventional Ways It Shapes Brand Experience
What Matters: The future of your brand lies in the hands of those who live it every day—your employees. Let their advocacy lead the way.
Employee advocacy unlocks a powerful force that can drive innovation, build trust, and carry culture forward, all while fostering deeper connections.
Employee advocacy is an often overlooked but critical factor that contributes to any organization’s overall brand success. But when we think about employee advocacy, we’re often limited to associating it with one-dimensional outcomes, such as employees promoting their companies on social media, for example. However, in reality, employee advocacy is much more complex — its true potential lies in more unconventional applications. Let’s talk about a few to consider.
1. FOSTERING INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY
Encouraging employees to share their unique solutions to everyday challenges can showcase your company's innovative spirit. This can be achieved through creative problem-solving sessions, hackathons, or even storytelling workshops. When employees are empowered to share their insights and creative ideas, it not only highlights their individual talents but also demonstrates your company’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation.
2. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Employees often have deep ties to their local communities and bring diverse cultural perspectives to the table. By leveraging these connections, companies can engage in community projects and cultural exchange programs that align with their values. This type of advocacy enhances your brand's image as a community-oriented and socially responsible organization.
3. ENHANCING CUSTOMER AND EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE
Allowing employees to lead the way in designing customer experiences based on their insights and interactions can significantly improve satisfaction and loyalty. When employees contribute to shaping customer experiences and internal culture, it reflects a brand that listens and adapts. This not only improves the overall customer experience but also strengthens employee engagement and satisfaction, creating a positive cycle that benefits both the brand and its stakeholders.
Ultimately, organizations that adopt the belief that employee advocacy can — and should — extend far beyond traditional expectations are the ones most poised for growth. Embracing less conventional ways to engage with your employees not only empowers them to be authentic, more creative and community-focused advocates, but it also unlocks a powerful force that can drive innovation, build trust, and carry culture forward, all while fostering deeper connections. The future of your brand lies in the hands of those who live it every day—your employees. Let their advocacy lead the way.
Jenny Garner is Head of Employee Experience at Salient