How to create an employee value proposition (EVP)

July 16, 2020

A strong EVP is a unique and balanced proposition between both parties. It could be thought of as a deal struck between what the employee wants and what the company provides.

The benefits of defining a clear EVP

A well-crafted and executed EVP can deliver many benefits to a company:

• Competitive advantage. A strong EVP is an opportunity to showcase to the market why your company is a great place to work.
• Attraction. A compelling EVP can attract more like-minded individuals aligned to the culture.
• Retention. According to research by Gartner, organisations that successfully deliver on their EVP can improve new hire commitment by nearly 30% and decrease annual employee turnover by 69%. Taking time to create a clear value proposition and confirm alignment with the person you hire could significantly mitigate this risk of turnover and save time and money on rehiring.
• Advocacy and Engagement. The more aligned employees are to the company and what it stands for, the more likely they are to engage with and promote it. An effective EVP can increase employees' likelihood of acting as sponsors from an average of 24% to 47%, according to the research by Link Humans.

Creating and executing your EVP

Start by understanding existing perceptions within the company to make sure your EVP aligns with those it currently impacts. Many leaders often create their EVPs in a boardroom away from the people on the floor, which creates a disconnect between their ideals and the reality of their people and the business.

Once you understand and define the 'status quo', spend time determining your key selling points, which typically include:

• Company Overview
• Culture
• Mission, Vision and Values
• Career Progression
• Training and Development
• Relationships
• Team dynamics
• Any other factors that make your company unique or different

Make your EVP short and visual so it's easy to share.

Once you have an EVP, communication is critical. Start by sharing it with your existing employees. Use all available communication channels and confirm that all potential new recruits and hiring managers are familiar with the EVP.

The EVP is a living and breathing document. After creation and communication, keep it up to date through regular reviews.

Common pitfalls and things to remember

Employees want to feel good about the place they work, so when hiring it is important to understand who you’re targeting and what will engage them, whilst staying true to the company's culture. Culture will always be a defining element of any successful EVP particular when it comes to the attraction and retention piece.

• Be inspirational but not aspirational. An EVP is not a goal it is an experience for all employees during their tenure with the company.
• Know your audience. It's wise to be inclusive but difficult to be 'all things to all people', so be clear on who you are targeting and align your EVP accordingly. Fostering engagement only with Gen-Z or millennials, for example, might not engage valuable candidates further along in their career journey.
• Talent Acquisition (TA) must 'walk the walk'. A TA team is often the first touch point a candidate has with a company, so it is key that these teams reflect the EVP in their interactions. Prospective candidates will use social media before applying for a job, so making sure online content aligns with the EVP is key for brand integrity.
• Money is important, but it's not the only thing. It is often tempting to wow candidates by disclosing salary and bonus potential, but when you put the employee value factors ahead of the financial ones, you are more likely to attract and retain the right person. The money might attract them to the role, but culture and opportunity will help retain them.

Workforce attraction and retention is one of the hardest jobs in any business and is not an exact science. However, creating and implementing an authentic company EVP is one major factor in doing it well.