We all want to work somewhere that we can call “A Great Place To Work” and really mean it.  Employers are finally starting to get the big picture and realizing that they need to invest in their employees.  When an applicant is looking for job, they don’t want to work just anywhere.  Quality talent can usually choose where they want to work.  Most likely they are looking for a place where they feel like they are a part of something. 

Employers who hire just anyone to fill a vacant position are doing the organization and the employee a terrible disservice.  They are not thinking about what is in the best interest of the organization or the employee.  Employees want to be a part of a family – a part of the foundation of the organization.

People want to relate to the organization and know the story behind organization.  Sharing how it got started, what ups and downs it has faced, what the goals are and how and what employees have been involved to make things happen, are strong areas of interest for a prospective employee. 

People can relate to situations or individuals easier when they are able to see the human factor plays a major in what is going on.  Employees feel that they work for a great place when they can develop day-to-day relationships and experience working together as a team.  Employees want to work for a company they can trust.   They need to take pride in the work they are doing and be proud of the job they have done.  It’s important for them to enjoy the people they work with.  This goes for Managers, too.  They also want to achieve the goals and objectives that have been defined by the organization.  The best way for this to be accomplished is by working with employees who are willing to give it their all. 

More and more, organizations are adding storytelling to their management operations.   Storytelling is a positive and effective way to deliver information to your employees.  People will listen to a story and retain the information much more than if you are just talking or doing a presentation.  Incorporate information about your product or business into your story.  People love to find out the underdog can come out on top.  These stories must be the truth, not something you made up.

People can relate to real life situations. From a friend (a fellow Ambassador of Voices Of Asia), I happen to know of someone named Mike who was employed with her organization for ten years.  He was married in his late 30’s and had 3 children, one set of twins who were 4 years old and a son who was 7.  He went home Friday, and that weekend his wife passed away.  She was 34.  She didn’t feel well on Saturday, she went to the ER and they admitted her.  She passed away early Sunday morning.  On Monday when his colleagues got the news, they were devastated.   He was blindsided and didn’t even know what to do.  His colleagues took up a collection at work of several thousand dollars.  They attended the service and after the service presented him with the money.  He was so grateful.

As time passed, he returned to work, but couldn’t stay focused, so he took a Medical Leave of Absence.  As time progressed, he got a little better and returned to work.  He had used all of his vacation and sick time up from when he was on leave.  Everyone got together and donated some of their vacation days so he could build his back up.

The following Monday, Mike rode his motorcycle to work and on his way to work a truck made a left turn in front of him and he was killed instantly.

Once again, everyone was devastated.  How could this be real?  These poor kids had lost their Mom and now their Dad.  Once again, the colleagues took up a collection, sent flowers, and attended the service.  A group of them got together and decided to do a memorial fund for the kids.  So, they did a onetime payroll deduction for any of those who wanted to participate.  Whatever amount you designated would be deducted from your check. The total amount received was $10,000.

They presented the check to the guardian of the kids, which was their uncle.  As sad as this story is, the story was share all the time with new employees in that company.  It tells them the type of wonderful people they work with and that they are family.  They watch out for and take care of each other. My friend continues to tell this story, where many may connect, and many are reminded of the awesome place they work in.

So as you can see, storytelling is a great way to deliver a message.  Don’t be afraid to share your work experience story with others!