Many organizations overlook the substantial benefits of joining supply chain associations like ASCM and CSCMP. Association memberships can be invaluable for sourcing top supply chain talent, increasing brand visibility, and providing ongoing professional development for your team. By strategically leveraging these memberships, your organization can become adept at scouting and securing the best supply chain professionals. Industry leaders from all sectors join these organizations and associations so talent can be mined and developed here.
To grow your supply chain network and maximize the benefits of association events, consider these strategies:
Preparations Before the Event:
Support Membership and Conference Engagement
Cover the costs of membership dues and conference fees for your employees, encouraging them to engage in local, national, and international supply chain events. The educational advantages alone make this a worthwhile investment, and the potential for employee-generated referrals can significantly enhance your recruitment efforts.
Your younger employees can also develop their personal brands at these events. They should be incented to learn and grow and network in ways that help them with their own career arc.
Establish a Participation Reward System
Incentives can do a lot to increase participation. Offer rewards such as additional vacation days or monetary bonuses for employees who generate the most referrals or make significant networking contributions at events.
Your business can benefit in more than just immediate monetary referrals. Hopefully you’re developing a brand and marketing content that helps clients in your field understand who you are and what you do. These events are packed with thought leaders who want to share their knowledge and expertise. Providing them a platform to do so can help to develop business later on.
Craft a Robust Talent Scout Training Plan
Prepare your team with a well-rounded training program that includes:
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- Effective Networking Techniques: Techniques for effective networking, including how to navigate events, establish connections, and identify key networking opportunities.
- Engaging Conversation Openers: A collection of icebreakers to initiate meaningful conversations.
- Elevator Pitch Development: Guidance on developing a compelling 30-second introduction.
- Unified Communication Strategies: Ensure all team members convey consistent messages about your company, available positions, career growth opportunities, training programs, company culture, and compensation details.
- Professionally Produced Collateral Materials: Your brand is important and folks need a take away.
Define Specific Goals
Avoid a haphazard approach by setting clear goals for each event. Whether it’s enhancing brand awareness or meeting a target number of new contacts, having a clear focus will streamline your efforts. Additionally, understanding current and potential job openings will help your team target the right candidates.
These events are not cheap so having a plan and following it is crucial. Preparation will be key to your success, as will follow up.
Pinpoint Key Networking Targets
Compile a list of individuals your team should connect with before the event. Review the event agenda, attendee lists, and relevant social media platforms to identify potential candidates and key influencers.
People appreciate it when you’ve done your homework on them. Study up on people’s interests and hobbies. Maybe you were college football rivals or you may have even attended the same school with a potential target. These sorts of conversation starters can make all the difference in the world.
Strategies During the Event:
Emphasize New Connections
Encourage your employees to step out of their comfort zones and engage with new people. They should move beyond familiar faces and actively seek out new connections to maximize networking opportunities.
Document Interaction Details
Instruct your team to collect business cards and take detailed notes on each interaction. This practice will help them remember key details and facilitate effective follow-ups after the event.
Post-Event Actions:
Hold a Comprehensive Review Session
Gather your team to review the contacts and connections made during the event. Include recruiters and hiring managers in the debrief to develop follow-up strategies and ensure timely engagement with potential candidates.
Prompt and Personal Follow-Up
Encourage your employees to connect with new contacts promptly. Use LinkedIn to send personalized connection requests, including a brief note about how you met. Utilize LinkedIn’s features to keep track of these interactions and maintain organized records.
Foster Ongoing Relationships
Even if there are no immediate job openings, continue to nurture these relationships. Schedule follow-up meetings, such as coffee or lunch, to strengthen connections and ensure a robust pipeline of candidates for future opportunities.
Transforming your organization into a proactive network of supply chain talent scouts can significantly boost your recruitment success. This approach is particularly effective for companies with multiple manufacturing and distribution facilities, leveraging the collective networking power of employees across various locations.
By implementing these strategies, you can fully capitalize on your association memberships, continuously enhance your talent pipeline, and maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic supply chain industry.
