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Is Your Company’s Reputation Hurting Your Chances of Getting the Right Salespeople on the Bus?

Who are the most reputable companies in the tech sector?

According to Reputation Institute, which runs annual surveys collecting data from more than 60,000 respondents, the lineups have included companies like Google, Sony, Canon, Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung.

Why does your reputation matter?

Companies that have excellent reputations engage more with employees and enjoy much stronger levels of employee referrals, client referrals, and positive online recommendations.

Your company may never get a shot at some of the best talent available in the market with poor public perception. Are you’re facing negative online employee reviews, media coverage, or a less-than-stellar reputation?


“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

— George Eliott

There are things you can do to take back control of the impression you’re leaving in the marketplace.

1. Admit your real and perceived weaknesses

You can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge. If you’ve been faced with morale problems, high employee turnover, or bad publicity, it’s time to start facing it head on.

Make a list of the top three things people are saying about your company you wish they weren’t.

2. Don’t try to buy your way out of bad reviews

If you’re getting bashed on employer sites like Glassdoor or other online forums, the first reaction might be to find ways to overcome negative comments as fast as possible.

I’ve seen companies employ some very creative strategies to overcome poor reviews. Although companies should and do work hard to manage and control public perception, over-manipulating online comments can be a waste of time and attention.

Instead of trying to buy your way out in the short term, why not work on getting better in the areas that need improving?

Look at known criticisms like a suggestion box and work to change what needs to be changed. Applying cosmetic fixes no matter how tempting, is a short term solution to a much potentially deeper problem.

3. Remember everything you do contributes to your reputation as an employer

When you show up late to employee interviews, you come across as unorganized, inconsiderate, or worse…

If you forget or blow off a phone interview entirely, you’ll frustrate applicants. If you delay giving interview feedback, you’ll signal insincerity.

There are also interview questions that you will want to avoid. If you are looking for examples of questions, you should avoid taking a look at my suggestion as well as others here.”

If you oversell a position and exaggerate compensation targets, your credibility will suffer. What you do as an employer and how you interact with current, future, and prospective employees matters.

What makes your company strong in the eyes of current and potential employees?

If we look at the top-ranked companies in the United States, there are a few traits they all have in common.

  • Commitment to social responsibility

  • Strong brand purpose

  • Both employees and customers are highly valued

It’s no secret that the best salespeople have choices. They go to the best companies where they are valued, respected, and appreciated.

They work for employers who strive to reach and maintain reputational excellence.

If your firm is struggling to attract top talent because of its reputation, what steps can you take to improve?

How can you better your company’s interactions with clients, employees, vendors, and prospective new hires?

What processes can you put in place to take positive next steps? What actions can you take to correct behaviors that reflect poorly on your brand?