engaging employers & workplace partners

Engaging Employers & Workplace Partners

Youth Council Institute and New Ways to Work

Workshop Series February, 2005

Steve Trippe, President, New Ways to Work [email protected]

Chandra Larsen, Project Associate, New Ways to Work [email protected]

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Introductions

Name Organization Where you’re from

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Agenda

9:30 Welcome & Introductions

Marketing and Sales Overview

Step 1: Be Prepared!

Understanding Market Forces

10:50 Break

11:00 Step 2: Make a Plan & Stick to It!

12:15 Lunch

1:15 Step 3: Market & Sell Your Service

Step 4: Flawless Follow- Up!

2:55 Break

EWPP Quality Characteristics

Next Steps Assessment & Workplan

Evaluation & Resources

4:00 Adjourn

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Introductions Activity

Choose one person to record the job titles of the people at your table

Share with members at your table your job title and responsibilities: “I am a ________, and I am responsible for _________.”

Report out to larger group all of the job titles from your table

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Engagement Specialist

An “Engagement Specialist” refers to anyone whose job function includes recruiting or engaging employers and workplace partners, such as: job developers, placement specialists, account representatives, internship coordinators, WBL coordinators, industry liaisons, or academy directors.

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Workplace Partner

A “Workplace Partner” refers to individuals or organizations who provide workplace experiences, including: employment, job shadows, career exploration, internships, service learning, and other work-based learning experiences.

Workplace Partners include public and private sector businesses, labor organizations, government, schools, and community-based organizations.

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What We’re Going to Learn Today

Everyone has a role in engaging Workplace Partners

Focus on the role of the Engagement Specialist

Provide an overview of the Quality Characteristics of Effective Organizations

Activity: Share expectations for the day

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Marketing and Sales Overview

Your role as a marketing and sales professional is essential to making good things happen for young people.

What images come to mind when you think about sales and marketing people?

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Marketing and Sales OverviewThe Four Easy Steps


Step 2: Make a Plan and Stick to It!

Step 3: Market and Sell Your Services!

Step 4: Deliver Flawless Follow-up!

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Step 1: Be Prepared

Understand the Labor Market Know Your Products or Services Know Your Supply of Young People,

Schools, & Other Training Organizations Identify Your Resources for Engagement

Activity: Understanding Market Forces

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A Marketing Plan Should: State Your Purpose, Goals & Objectives Identify Resources Define Your Customer Base & Qualify the

Market Create Key Messages Outline Your Marketing Strategies Detail an Activities Calendar

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Purpose, Goals & Objectives

Statement of General Purpose – who you are, broad goals, and objectives.The purpose of ABC Youth Employment Services’

marketing team is to engage employers and workplace partners to support the career academies at Downtown H.S.

Our objective is to provide job shadows and internships to all students who are ready for those experiences.

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Resources

Resources – staff, services, dollars, and other resources target to the engagement effort.Staff: 2 engagement specialists and 1 administrative

staff member at ABC, 1 Academies Coordinator at Downtown H.S.

Services: Job training, background checks, and mentoring. Worksite supervisor training & support.

Target Dollars: 50% WIA funding; 25% Foundation Grant; 10% Perkins; and 5% individual donors.

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Current Customer Base

• What industries are represented by current customers?

• Do your customers request certain types of WBL opportunities?

• Does participation primarily originate in certain departments?

• What size companies do you work with?• Where are your customers located?

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Qualify the Market

High Growth Areas Previous Work with Schools or CBO’s Geographic Location of Company Size of Company Type of Business Timing of Opportunities

… Build a List of Prospects

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Target Audience

The focus of the ABC marketing plan will be management and supervisors at Home Depot, Alice’s Restaurant, St. Mary’s Hospital, Whole Foods, Hyatt Regency Hotels, and other local small businesses and community-based organizations – aligned with the Career Academies at Downtown H.S.

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Key Messages

Succinct messages for each of the audiences you hope to reach.

Messages that are simple, direct, and clear Statements identifying exactly what products

and services you offer to meet their needs

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Key Messages

Hiring youth from ABC will provide employers with a trained, educated, enthusiastic, entry-level workforce to support their business needs. Interns from ABC will additionally receive external mentoring from adults to support their success and responsibility in their jobs.

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Marketing Strategies

Set Marketing/Sales Goals & Measurable Objectives

Primary Objectives Stimulate awareness of and interest in organization. Familiarize staff with local labor conditions. Prepare all sales and informational materials. Prepare for, rehearse, and begin sales presentations.Secondary Objectives To place 20 - 25 youth with 10 - 15 businesses as part

of the implementation and testing activities. To begin preparation for full implementation of the

program.

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A marketing plan should specify strategies targeted for:

General Awareness Targeted Marketing Direct Recruiting

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Activity Divide into three groups Focus first on target audiences and brainstorm

marketing strategies for that group for 5 minutes. Rotate to a different marketing component until you

have visited all three areas. In your last group, choose two of the best strategies

for reaching your target audience and report out.

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Detailed Activities Calendar

A marketing plan should include: Calendared activities to organize the timing

of your strategies. Sequenced strategies for maximum impact.

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Step 2: Make a Plan and Stick to It!Review

A Marketing Plan Should: State Your Purpose, Goals & Objectives Identify Resources Define Your Customer Base & Qualify the

Market Create Key Messages Outline Your Marketing Strategies Detail an Activities Calendar

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Making a Pitch

Put a tag on it Solve a problem Make it accessible Show your passion

“An elevator ride may last more than 60 seconds, …but your pitch should take up no more than a minute – and that requires ruthless paring and arduous polishing”

Bill Joos, Garage.comVP Business Development Fast Company, 2001

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Make a Pitch – Exercise

Select a recorder Have one person read their “elevator” pitch Provide feedback Record positive words or phrases Work together to revise the pitch Read pitch again Provide feedback

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Hone Your Pitch

Gather a team of staff Have each person write down how they introduce

themselves at a business function. Share introductions Conduct “Making a Pitch” exercise Read aloud Record phrases and words the group likes Have folks write again, paying attention to key phrases

and words. Repeat

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Step 3: Market and Sell Your Services

Begin with a Focus on Customer Service Network in Multiple Circles Prepare Your Sales Presentation Make the Sale

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Begin with a Focus on Customer ServiceMarketing Standards

Consider the following tips:

Use professional looking materials Use a tag line Use printed materials, try not to photocopy Keep your message simple and to the point Personalize your message Prove your claims Get your offer out in the 1st couple of paragraphs Proof everything thoroughly

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Begin with a Focus on Customer ServiceCustomer Service Standards

“The Customer is Always Right.” Customers must be satisfied. Never argue with the customer. Respond to phone messages within 24 hours. Respond to written correspondence within 48 hours. Answer the phone within 2 rings. Answer the phone with a smile. Use professional phone standards.

Activity: Customer Response Exercise

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Customer Response Exercise

Exchange business cards or office phone numbers.

Call each other’s office as a potential workplace partner.

Fill out the Customer Response Worksheet. Discuss your finding with your partner. Be prepared to report-out general

observations.

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Network in Multiple Circles

Employer to employer approaches Leverage existing campaigns and initiatives Spend time in the industry or business you

are targeting Work your personal network

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Prepare Your Sales Presentation Sales Standards

Research the prospect and tailor your presentation.

Ensure all staff are trained to support successful sales activities.

Know your product, benefits, and why your service is desirable.

Know your organization’s history and track record.

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Prepare and organize all marketing materials.

Rehearse your presentation. Dress professionally. Pay attention to your body language. Establish rapport.

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Listen more than you talk. If you don’t know the answer admit it, and

provide an answer within 48 hours. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Respond quickly to requests. Always ask for the next step.

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Prepare Your Sales Presentation

Understand workplace partner motivation.

Pick a strategy:- Build on what exists

- Solve a business need

- Invest in your community

Recognize that all workplace partners are not alike.

Expect to answer important and hard questions.

Be prepared to overcome objections.

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Make the Sale

Value All Participation Options Get to “YES” Commit to Next Steps

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Make the SaleHandling Workplace Partner Objections

As a Group: Brainstorm workplace partner objections.At your Tables: Choose a facilitator/recorder Select one or two workplace partner

objections to address. Brainstorm how to overcome objections. Report out to the group.

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Step 4: Deliver Flawless Follow-up

Send Thank-you Notes Become the Primary Resource Support Ongoing Participation Deliver on Promises Measure Results and Share Information Stay in Continuous Contact

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Make the SalePractice Makes Perfect Activity

Groups of Three Review Workplace Partner Scenario Take turns being the Workplace Partner,

Engagement Specialist, Observer Sell your product in 5 minutes Discuss what was particularly effective and

what could have been strengthened Report out highlights to larger group

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New Ways to Work Resources

Website: www.nww.org – Check out “What’s New” section for regular updates & resources.

Listserve: email Chandra at [email protected] to join the YCi listserve.

Resources: Monthly resources, funding opportunities, and events e-newsletter.

YCi Reporter: Bi-monthly newsletter of local best practices and state and national legislative updates.

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New Ways Contacts

New Ways to Work

(707) 824-4000 – Sebastopol

(415) 995-9860 – San Francisco

Steve Trippe, President - [email protected]

Chandra Larsen, Project Associate - [email protected]