What is an Employee Alumni Network and How to Build One?

In the Human Resources space, just as in other areas of work, we need to innovate to stay ahead the competition and to drive our organization to success. Today we will deep dive into one strategy that helps you to achieve this growth - Employee Alumni Networks. In this article, we will explain what is an Employee Alumni Network, it benefits, and how to implement it effectively!

What is an Employee Alumni Network?

An Employee Alumni Network (EAN) is a community of former employees who maintain a connection with their previous employer. It can be a valuable resource for both the organization and its former employees, since it fosters a mutually beneficial relationship. Through the EAN, past employees stay in ouch with the organization by staying informed about company updates, job opportunities, and industry trends. At the same time, the organization keeps a pool of talented professionals with a deep understanding of its culture and values.

The Benefits of an Employee Alumni Network

1. Talent Acquisition and Recruitment

Building a strong EAN enables your organization to tap into a talent pool of skilled individuals who are already familiar with your company's culture and operations. You can leverage the EAN to share job openings and gather great candidates, saving time and resources on recruitment efforts. Moreover, former employees already have a sense of loyalty to the organization, so they may be more likely to return, reducing employee onboarding and training costs.

2. Brand Advocacy and Reputation Management

A strong EAN can significantly impact your brand reputation. Former employees who had positive experiences during their stay at the organization are more likely to speak positively about it, becoming brand advocates. This organic word-of-mouth promotion can enhance your company's online and offline reputation. 

3. Knowledge Sharing and Innovation

By staying connected with former employees, your organization can foster a culture of knowledge sharing and innovation. Alumni can provide valuable insights, industry trends, and fresh perspectives that can lead to the development of cutting-edge solutions and products. This culture of sharing and caring will help former employees to still feel connected to the company and to mantain a healthy relationship. It will definitely set your organization apart from competitors.

Building an Effective Employee Alumni Network

To ensure the success of your EAN, follow these steps:

1. Engage and Maintain Relationships

Maintain constant communication with your alumni. Use newsletters, email updates, social media, or even a slack channel to keep them engaged. Another effective method is to host alumni events and gatherings to foster a sense of belonging and to stay updated with their professional journeys.

2. Offer Value-Driven Content

To keep the alumni engaged, make sure you are not spamming them! Provide valuable content, such as industry insights, professional development resources, and exclusive job opportunities. This will keep them invested in your network and increase the chances of them sharing your content, and to stay up to date with your notifications.

3. Leverage Social Media

Social media platforms are still a great tool to keep in touch with people. And in the case of Employee Alumni Networks is not an exception. Create dedicated groups or forums to facilitate discussions and networking among former employees. 

Conclusion

Incorporating an Employee Alumni Network into your organization's strategy can bring several advantages that go beyond traditional HR practices. Besides enhancing talent acquisition and recruitment, you will also boost your brand reputation, foster knowledge sharing, and build strong relations with highly skilled workers. By consistently engaging with your alumni and offering them value-driven content, your organization can build a strong network that differentiates from the rest of the businesses!