My reputation's on (the) line

This is my first venture into the world of blogging and I'm torn between feelings of bravery at taking on the challenge, remorse that it has taken this long to embrace an opportunity to share my thoughts and nervous that I'm opening up my own reputation to a worldwide audience.

I'd like to say that I know exactly what I'm trying to get out of an Employer Reputation blog and what I hope you get out of it too, but I don't. Guides to writing CVs and covering letters advise that every job application should clearly answer the questions, "Why you? Why now?". So, as my work is recruitment marketing, advertising & communications then maybe that's a good starting point to giving this blog some context and purpose.

Why me?

It would've been easy to say, "why not?" but if you've read this far, then I think that would probably be a sure fire way to lose you now. I've spent over 12 years in recruitment communications and I've seen it change a great deal, not just the obvious transition from traditional press advertising to digital but the growing importance of employer branding. And that's what has grabbed me, that's what really struck a chord and I think that's what has kept me interested in this industry - building, managing and enhancing the employer brands of some big (and not so big) companies.

I've read a huge amount about the subject (there is an increasing library of sometimes helpful and often hopeless literature available out there), I've learnt a lot from hands-on application of many of the theories and most recently, I've just completed my MBA at Manchester Business School and have written my dissertation on the topic. So, in short, I feel qualified to at least share my views on the subject.

Why now?

It's simple - confidence. I now feel like I've served my time as a pupil and would like to slightly pompously, self-proclaim and profess myself to be a scholar on the subject.

I also strongly believe that as we enter a period of economic recession, that employer branding is going to drop down the corporate agenda and may be sidelined altogether in cost-cutting exercises. If this happens, then organisations that have claimed to want to invest in their 'people brand' have missed the point completely - they need their employer brand more than ever.

And what of Employer Reputation? Well, in my opinion (and that's what this blog is really about), this is where employer branding is heading and in some cases it's already there. Reputation management is the future. Ask yourself this question, "What's my company's employer brand?", then ask yourself, "What's my company's reputation as an employer?". Make your own mind up which is the more constructive approach but if you chose the former then my future blogs probably won't appeal. If it was the latter then you may be intersted in returning to read some more of my ramblings as I continue to put my reputation on (the) line.