Businesses without a clear company purpose risk losing employees

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Joanne Swann
man in black long sleeve shirt sitting on chair in front of computer

Businesses that lack clear brand values and a defined company purpose are at risk of losing their employees.

In an international study looking at workers’ attitudes around company loyalty, Berkeley Communications found that three-quarters (75%) of respondents believe a company’s purpose is an important aspect of their current or prospective employer. What’s more, 73% said the same about their current or prospective employer’s brand values.

A failure to effectively communicate brand values and messages, however, could lead to companies losing or missing out on top talent. One-in-five (20%) of employed respondents raised concerns over the use of meaningless or misleading terms in company communications and jobs descriptions.

Employers must take these concerns seriously, especially in light of the finding that half (50%) of employed responders shared that they are planning to change their jobs with nearly a fifth (17%) planning to do so in the next six months or sooner. This presents both opportunity and risk for businesses looking to retain and attract talent.

The new study, entitled Beyond Branding: Storytelling’s Role in Global Talent Retention, conducted amongst workers across the UK, USA, Germany and Australia, found that half (52%) of people looking for work say they would never join a company whose values do not agree with theirs. The research also revealed that clear communication of brand values and purpose is becoming essential in modern business. In fact, more than two-thirds (69%) of those looking for work agreed that an employer’s values need to be well communicated to employees.

The research revealed there is a difference in attitudes to company loyalty and brand values across different generations which businesses need to consider. Three-quarters (75%) of surveyed baby boomers say they are loyal to their current employer. This decreases with age, with only 55% of Generation Z responding positively when questioned about their loyalty. This goes hand in hand with Generation Z feeling less likely to have a strong alignment between their personal values and their employer’s values (60%), as well as feeling proud of who they work for because of their company’s purpose (58%).

Berkeley Communications’ Chief Storyteller and Group CEO, Chris Hewitt, said,

Creating a culture where all employees feel valued is imperative to improving company loyalty. This not only creates a more positive and nurturing work environment, but also drives positive reputations and word-of-mouth to attract new team members. Storytelling can be a tool that drives a change in company values, adding a vital human element to the corporate world.

Chris Hewitt, Berkeley Communications’ Chief Storyteller and Group CEO

The study’s findings emphasise the need for a compelling company brand purpose, as it can be a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent. A purpose-driven company, coupled with effective internal communication and storytelling, can lead to reduced costs, increased revenue, improved productivity and a positive work environment.

To learn more about how employees’ attitudes towards brand values, as well as how storytelling can improve talent retention, the full Beyond Branding: Storytelling’s Role in Global Talent Retention report is available to download.

Joanne Swann, Content Manager, WorkWellPro
Editor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional | Website |  + posts

Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.

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