Does your message and employees line up?

Does your companies message and employees line up? Recently I interviewed with Company X for a sales position. I was excited about the opportunity with this nationally recognized company. I had researched them and felt like it might be a good fit. Companies X’s mantra was, “Healthy environment equals a healthy family.” Now those are not the exact words but they promoted healthy living. It’s a tag line on their website, flyers, advertising and the poster that hung on the walls of their satellite office. I was rather perplexed by what was promoted and what I saw in their employees. The office staff, including the sales manager were all overweight and I’m not talking just a few pounds.. When I asked a simple question about their products, I got a “Yes” then a quick “no” and a confused look that told me the sales manager did not know what he was selling.

I thought it just might be this office, the whole company couldn’t be this way. Then the sales manager played a promo video to sell me on working for Company X and I found more of the same. Five of the seven employees from Company X’s video were overweight. They all promoted the mantra and told how great it is to work for Company X. Company X’s message and employees do not line up.

I want to believe in who I’m working for, what I’m selling and the product I buy. The best way to turn away good potential employees and customers from your product or company is to send mixed messages. For example I stopped by a landscape business to buy some products for the yard. As I entered the parking lot I noticed the disheveled appearance of the entire business, weeds, trash, and the sign falling down. This sent a clear message they are not who I would want to do my landscaping.

Integrity is what you do when no one is looking, but guess what…everyone is looking. And customers are looking and judging all the time.

In the book, “On Staffing: Advice and Perspectives from HR Leaders” edited by Nicholas C. Burkholder, Preston J. Edwards, Sr., Libby Sartain, “Each and every day, every employee is an ambassador for a company among customers, business colleagues, and even friends and family.” Employees must live the message you are sending and the business must fulfill its own message.

What are some ways you can fulfill your message as a company? What messages are you sending your employees? Is it time to evaluate and streamline to a singular clear message? What are your thoughts?

2 thoughts on “Does your message and employees line up?”

Add yours

Sherri Lowe
April 23, 2015 at 7:22 pm


Ted, you are right on with this topic. Thanks for reiterating the importance of walking the talk.

God bless,

Sherri

- Ted Goodwin
  April 24, 2015 at 9:03 am
  
  
  Sherri, I believe we get to busy trying to be everything to everyone and we loss our focus on who we are in business and in life.

Ignite Truth

Life Lessons of Hope, Motivation and Inspiration