Revolutionizing Employee Referral Programs w/ Real Links CEO Sam Davies

Full Episode Description

About the Guest(s): Sam Davies is the CEO and founder of Real Links, a pioneering company that specializes in employee brand activation and referral programs. With a transformative backstory, Sam transitioned from a career in corporate law to building a technology platform that engages employees in accelerating a company's growth through referrals. His innovative approach has saved organizations substantial amounts of money and has significantly boosted hiring efficiency and retention. Episode Summary: In this compelling episode of "Growing Your Business with People," host Jeff Lackey sits down with Sam Davies, a visionary in the realm of talent acquisition and employee engagement. This episode sheds light on the tremendous financial and cultural benefits that robust employee referral programs can bring to an organization. Sam Davies shares the story behind his transition from corporate law to starting Real Links, highlighting the inefficiencies he witnessed in traditional hiring processes. He introduces the concept of employee brand activation, which involves leveraging the collective network of an organization's workforce as a growth catalyst. Central to the discussion is how this strategy not only helps scale businesses affably by reducing recruitment costs but also enhances employee engagement and retention. The conversation delves into essential strategies for creating effective referral programs. This includes abandoning the traditional ‘always on’ approach, in favor of targeted campaigns that directly involve senior leadership and resonate with the company's broader objectives. Sam advocates for a shift in reward structures, and moving from 'refer a friend’ policies to emphasizing wider social introductions. These strategies lead to a more vibrant, inclusive, and committed workplace. Key Takeaways: Employee referral programs are crucial for driving cost-efficient business scale-ups and improving retention. Organizations should pivot from an 'always on' referral strategy to targeted, campaign-based approaches for better engagement. The communication and endorsement from senior leaders alongside the alignment of referrals with company values can significantly enhance employee engagement. The right messaging and incentivization can drive successful employee behavior in referrals, without necessarily tying awards to successful hires. Employee referral programs should support diversity and inclusion efforts by promoting broader 'social introductions' rather than just recommendations from within one's immediate circle. Notable Quotes: "We need to make sure that we're utilizing it [referral programs] where and when we need it." "The cost of a hire from a referral perspective tends to be incredibly low." "We need to start rewarding people for that referral journey, maybe the sharing of a piece of content, the sharing of a job, a view, an application, an interview, a hire as well." "Employees perceive referrals as needing to be recommendations… there's an education piece that needs to happen here." Resources: As per the transcript, there were no specific social media handles, company websites, articles, books, or URLs mentioned directly. Listeners interested in Real Links may search for the company's information and Sam Davies's professional profiles through typical search engines or professional networking platforms.