Optimize the Referral Program
Current employees hold the key to the perfect candidate.
- The war for talent is accelerating and as recruiters continue to reach out to passive candidates, a good referral program is necessary to help get the right candidates to your organization.
- Many organizations currently have a referral program but are dissatisfied with the results. McLean & Company finds that 63% of respondents have plans to optimize their referral programs in the coming year.
- With limited time and an increase in open positions, many recruiters and talent acquisition specialists do not have the time to optimize their current program or don’t know where to start to fix the pain points.
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Speak With An Analyst.
- Get on-demand project support
- Get advice, coaching, and insight at key project milestones
- Go through a Guided Implementation to help you get through your project
Our Advice
Critical Insight
- Not knowing where to start for referral program optimization is common and is preventing companies from tapping into the potential an optimized referral program can offer.
- Taking the time to set goals and track metrics can help to determine where the pain points are and narrow down the scope of projects to increase the effectiveness of your referral program.
Impact and Result
- In order to determine pain points, the current referral program needs to be benchmarked against standards and areas for improvement identified.
- A thorough understanding of the program goals and benchmarks will help determine prioritized projects to increase the success of the referral program.
Workshop: Optimize the Referral Program
Workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.
Module 1: Make the Case
The Purpose
- Simply reviewing your current referral program is not enough. To determine if you are successful, perform benchmarking to ensure the program is operating effectively.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Making a go/no-go decision
- Tracking program metrics
- Benchmarking
Activities
Outputs
Track metrics
Record initial benchmarks
- Decision as to whether your current program needs optimization
Module 2: Perform a Gap Analysis
The Purpose
- Project goals need to be measurable, and should be articulated in a metrics-based way to ensure tracking of the right information.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Targeted pain points
Activities
Outputs
Benchmark results
Determine program goals
- Key pain points of your current referral program identified based on metrics benchmarking and program goals.
Module 3: Consider Optimization Projects
The Purpose
- Keep referral program simple and as easy for the employee as possible, otherwise it will go unused.
- Make sure referrals are time stamped to avoid arguments of who referred whom.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Optimization projects list
Activities
Outputs
Results of gap analysis
- List of potential projects
Module 4: Optimize Your Referral Program
The Purpose
- To be successful, referral programs need constant communication, marketing, and tailoring to those employees that you want to refer candidates.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Project plan
- Clear communication
- Up-to-date referral policy
Activities
Outputs
Prioritize list of projects
- Project plan
Determine communication methods
- Communication email
Update policy
- Updated employee referral policy
About McLean & Company
McLean & Company is an HR research and advisory firm providing practical solutions to human resources challenges via executable research, tools, diagnostics, and advisory services that have a clear and measurable impact on your business.
What Is a Blueprint?
A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your HR problems.
Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.
Need Extra Help?
Speak With An Analyst
Get the help you need in this 1-phase advisory process. You'll receive 3 touchpoints with our researchers, all included in your membership.
- Call 1: Make the case
Discuss why you should optimize your referral program, come to a go/no-go decision on optimization, and record initial benchmarks and KPIs. Review the Employee Referral Program Optimization Tool.
- Call 2: Perform the gap analysis and review results
Determine your referral program goals, target pain points, and review top projects for optimization.
- Call 3: Plan optimization projects
Based on prioritization results, assign project timelines and responsibility, and prepare the communication plan.
Contributors
- Gary Sarti, Program Manager, Med Express
- Meg Collins, HR Manager, Aveda Natura
- Claudine Gunning, Recruitment Advisor, Gildan Inc.
- Rhonda Cook, Account Manager, Microsoft
- Ashley McFarlane, Info-Tech Research Group
- Erica McMullen, HR Director, Operations Staffing, Fulton County School System