If you read this blog often, you know we focus on brand strategy and design, especially for business leaders who want to grow their businesses through a better customer experience. However, an impactful brand influences more than your customers. It also shapes the day-to-day experience of your employees.
When the Phase 3 brand team works with clients, we conduct brand vision workshops and employee interviews to uncover their internal culture and values. A powerful brand resonates with both internal and external stakeholders. Employees should be your best brand ambassadors. This is your employer brand, and it directly impacts talent acquisition, retention, and productivity.
The Power of a Strong Employer Brand
A great employer brand impacts the bottom line in more ways than one. Companies that invest in their employer brand see:
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50% lower cost-per-hire.
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1 to 2 times faster time to hire.
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28% lower turnover.
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20% higher employee performance
You create customer experiences to increase sales. In the same way, you can improve your employees' experience through branding. Branded materials and thoughtfully designed environments foster engagement, reinforce company culture, and enhance productivity.
What is the Employee Experience?
The employee experience is how workers view your company. It begins with their first interview and ends on their last day. The experience includes their feelings about their work environment, company culture, leadership, technology, relationships, and day-to-day interactions.
It's not necessarily about free lunches and pool tables in the break room. A great employee experience is fostered in an environment where each staff member feels motivated, valued, and supported. Companies that prioritize the employee experience see better business outcomes, including higher productivity, lower turnover, and stronger brand reputation.
The Impact of a Well-Branded Employee Experience
A well-branded employee experience ties every element of the employee’s workday to your brand’s mission and values. When you’re successful, here’s what happens:
Branded Workspaces Build Engagement and Satisfaction
Employees in branded workplaces are more likely to feel connected to their company, with 89% expressing pride in their organization.
Brand Consistency Reinforces Culture
Businesses that focus on internal branding see up to a 44% improvement in organizational culture.
Branded Spaces Drive Productivity
Employees who understand and connect with their company’s mission and values are 67% more engaged. Highly engaged teams lead to a 21% increase in business profitability.
A Positive Brand Experience Fosters Reputational Trust
Employee voices are 3 times more credible than their CEO's when talking about working at a company. 76% of individuals say that they're more likely to trust content from individuals over content from brands.
The Three Environments That Shape Employee Experience
Jacob Morgan, author of The Employee Experience Advantage, highlights three fundamental environments that impact employees, regardless of company size. Focusing on these elements and investing in employer branding will build deeper ties between your staff and the brand.
Company Culture: The Foundation of Employee Experience
Culture is what employees experience daily. This includes how leadership interacts, how teams collaborate, and how the company’s values are lived out. Culture is the energy that motivates, inspires, or drains employees.
Branded workspaces, apparel, and supplies play a role in reinforcing culture. When office design, messaging, and materials reflect your company's values, your employees feel a stronger sense of purpose.
Technology: The Tools Employees Need to Succeed
Employees need modern, efficient tools to do their jobs. Outdated systems and clunky processes slow them down and create frustration. A well-supported digital environment gives your employees confidence and ensures they can work efficiently.
Branding extends into this space, too. Customized digital workspaces, internal communication and procurement platforms, and well-designed onboarding create a seamless and immersive employee journey.
Workplace Environment: The Physical and Flexible Spaces That Matter
Employees' physical surroundings shape their productivity, well-being, and overall satisfaction. A thoughtfully branded workspace contributes to a better experience. Small details matter. Branded wayfinding, digital signage, and immersive graphics enhance the space. Welcoming common areas and comfortable workstations also contribute to a positive experience.
The Impact of Environmental Branding and Signage
Well-branded culture, technology, and physical space contribute to engagement, productivity, and pride in the workplace. Branded environments make company culture tangible.
Key elements of branded workplaces include:
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Immersive environmental graphics: Custom wall murals, mission statements displayed prominently, and interactive brand installations.
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Wayfinding signage: Clear, well-designed directional signs create a seamless experience for employees and visitors.
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Branded collaboration spaces: Lounges, breakout areas, and conference rooms that reflect company identity.
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Thoughtful design choices: Materials, textures, and color schemes that align with brand identity.
Most corporate offices are cold, sterile, and forgettable. Well-designed environments are memorable and appealing, which is the essence of impactful branding. Every wall, window, and open space presents an opportunity to reinforce company culture.
Read more about the benefits of thoughtful branded environmental design here and here.
Branded Merchandise and Employee Gifts
Quality swag, as a corporate gift, an employee reward, or just because, shows your company values employees. Branded merchandise fosters a positive brand perception, strengthening the relationships you've worked hard to develop. Any time is the perfect time to express appreciation to your employees. For ideas on branded swag for every season and occasion, check out this blog.
How to Make Branded Swag Meaningful
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Make It Useful: Consider how employees work. Are they remote, hybrid, or in-office? Give them items they’ll actually use.
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Quality Over Quantity: A well-made item makes a lasting impression. Cheap, generic swag ends up in the trash.
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Align with Your Values: If sustainability is a company priority, choose eco-friendly merchandise. Or, if wellness is part of your mission, provide branded exercise equipment or water bottles.
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Give Employees a Choice: Let them select from different items. Offering a branded swag store is a great option.
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Recognize Milestones: Celebrate employee anniversaries and achievements with thoughtful gifts.
Read more about the benefits of branded merchandise and how to start a program for your staff here.
Final Thoughts
Branded materials and thoughtfully designed workspaces do more than drive sales and enhance the aesthetics of a building. They also reinforce your company's internal culture and boost employee engagement by improving the employee experience. Employee experience is the foundation of business performance. A positive experience directly influences long-term business success. Employees who feel valued, motivated, and connected deliver better work, stay with you longer and strengthen your brand's reputation.
Let's Work Together
Creating an exceptional branded environment is what Phase 3 does best. We help businesses stand out by shaping spaces that inspire employees from the moment they walk through the door.
Let’s talk about how we can bring your brand to life. Contact us today.