Tools, trends & translations to create a Vet Friendly Business Strategy & Organizational Culture

Vets at Bridgewater College

Do you know who the Vets in your organization are?

Dr. Lee WilliamsProfessor of Math & Computer Science

Perry Gallon Campus Safety

Vikki Ingram Director of HR

Charles CulbertsonDirector of Media

Relations

Chris HullFacilities

Thomas FechtelAssistant Professor of

Business Admin

Bob GrathwolCampus Safety

• Reggie Webb – Vice-President for Enrollment Management• Robert Hicks – Campus Safety• Tom Cummings – Assistant Track Coach

Military Climate Survey ResultsA Military Climate Survey was conducted in the Spring of 2013. The results include combined data from surveys from Richmond SHRM (which includes the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce & HBL) and VASHRM.

RSHRM 20 respondentsGRCC & HBL 13 respondentsVASHRM 71 respondents

Military Climate Survey Results

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10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Percent of companies currently using any of the initiatives below to attract and retain military connected candidates.

VASHRM Data Only

Military Climate Survey ResultsPublic

ManufacturingLogisticsFinance/InsuranceProfessional ServicesHealthcareRetailGovernment ServicesEducationOther

Private

ManufacturingLogisticsFinance/InsuranceProfessional ServicesHealthcareRetailGovernment ServicesEducationOther

VASHRM Data Only

Barriers to Veteran Recruitment and Retention• Translating military skills and occupations to civilian terms so that

both the veterans and prospective employers may better understand what each is seeking. (Certifications, licenses)

• Transition from regimented military life to civilian life where everyone does not share the same methods, philosophies, work ethic, etc. with regard to daily interactions in the workplace.

• Differences in benefits provided in the private sector versus the public sector

• Overcoming veteran misconceptions and stereotypes…fear of the unknown such as disabilities/PTSD

• Salary Range, location of company, mission of organization, PT versus FT

• Small company that does not have the resources to establish a veteran’s recruiting program; time required to establish programs given the competing demands of our time.

• Niche market and many Vets do not have the skills we need

• Organization employs a high percentage of women and not many apply.

Business & Organizational Strategies to Overcome Barriers

Make Veteran Recruitment and Retention a part of your Corporate Culture.

Business & Organizational Strategies to Overcome Barriers

Be proactive and not reactive

1 million Military Members will be separating over the next 4-5 years

Think about how to word your job postings to be inclusive rather than exclusive.

If you are using an automated talent management solution, think about not excluding applicants just because they do not have a degree.

Example:QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree or extensive experience in lieu of a degree with demonstrated competence required.

Source: Employment Facts and Statistics; Office of Economic Opportunity Veterans Benefits Administration; BLS Figures (non-seasonally adjusted)

Business & Organizational Strategies to Overcome Barriers

Focus on traits not just on skills(What do your leaders of

tomorrow look like)

Skills Most Enhanced By Military Experience Teamwork Striving for Results/

Execution Planning and Organizing Analysis and Problem

Solving Leading Teams Communication Skills Coaching and

Developing Subordinates

Where do Veterans Outperform Others

Team Orientation Work Ethic Reliability Assertiveness Goal Orientation/Ambition Resilience Selflessness Openness to other

cultures/races Creativity/innovation Flexibility

Source: Talent Magazine January 2012

Advantages/Disadvantages that Veterans bring to Organizations

• Has moved from home, family and friends • Has resided in two other states• Has traveled the world (deployed) (67%)• Has been promoted four times• Has bought a car • Has married and had children (55.2%) or has had a relationship • Has had financial problems and overcome them• Leads dozens of Soldiers and been Led• Operates and Maintains millions of dollars worth of equipment

and technology as if their lives depended upon it• Has received extensive Technical, Safety, and Leadership

Training• Knows what “mission first -- people always” means• Has lived a set of values in challenging situations

At 24 Years of Age, our Vet, on average:

Advantages/Disadvantages that Veterans bring to Organizations

Skills• Basic Training - 6 weeks• Pharmacy Spec Course – 14 weeks• CDC – 5 level – 6 months• NCO Orientation – 1 week• NCO Leadership School – 4 weeks• CDC – 7 level – 6 months• Military Drivers License• Mobility Prepared• CPR Instructor TrainerAwards• Honor Graduate Pharmacy

Technical School• Airman of the Quarter, 1982• Airman of the Year, 1982• Honor Graduate NCO Leadership

School• Drill Masters Award NCO

Leadership School

Advantages/Disadvantages that Veterans bring to Organizations

Decreased Cost to Hire

Decreased Hiring Cycle Time

Decreased Time to Competency

Increased New Hire Engagement

Improved Workforce Productivity

Decreased First Year New Hire Attrition

Increased Leadership Skills

Advantages/Disadvantages that Veterans bring to Organizations

To know what is expected of them from the start The materials, equipment, and skills to do their work right The opportunity to do what they do best everyday To receive recognition or praise To feel that their Leader cares about them as a person The Encouragement to develop To feel they are part of the solution To understand and live the vision & mission To see and hear that others are engaged and focus on quality To feel they have a friend at work To be aligned with their leader To feel they can learn and grow

New Hires (especially Veterans) Want . . .

Community Partners Virginia Values Veterans (V3)

www.virginiavaluesvets.com

Hero2Hired (H2H) www.h2h.jobs.com

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) www.esgr.mil

Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) www.vec.virginia.org

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Army Wounded Warrior Transition Command (WWTC) www.wtc.army.mil

Questions?