What is *Give & Get Employer Branding* by Bryan Adams about?

*Give & Get Employer Branding* explores strategies for building an authentic employer brand to attract and retain top talent. Bryan Adams emphasizes balancing organizational realities with aspirational goals, using frameworks like EVP (Employee Value Proposition) development and storytelling to create emotional connections. The book highlights repelling mismatched candidates while compelling ideal hires through transparency and purpose-driven messaging.

Who should read *Give & Get Employer Branding*?

HR leaders, talent acquisition professionals, and executives aiming to align company culture with recruitment strategies will benefit most. Startups scaling teams and established firms struggling with retention will find actionable insights on EVP alignment, employer branding ROI, and fostering employee advocacy.

Is *Give & Get Employer Branding* worth reading?

Yes—it’s praised for blending practical frameworks (e.g., EVP refinement processes) with real-world examples from companies like Apple and LinkedIn. Adams combines tactical advice with philosophical insights on workplace belonging, making it a resource for both strategy and implementation.

What are the main concepts in *Give & Get Employer Branding*?

Key ideas include: - **EVP Optimization**: Distilling core employee value propositions that reflect current realities and future aspirations. - **Talent Repulsion/Attraction**: Filtering mismatched applicants while engaging high-potential candidates. - **ROI Measurement**: Tracking employer branding impact through retention rates and hiring efficiency.

How does Bryan Adams define a strong employer brand?

Adams defines it as a cohesive narrative that authentically communicates a company’s mission, values, and employee experience. It should resonate emotionally with prospective hires and align with broader business objectives, similar to how corporate brands connect with customers.

What frameworks does *Give & Get Employer Branding* provide?

The book outlines: - **EVP Development Process**: A step-by-step guide to identifying and refining employee value propositions. - **Storytelling Framework**: Structuring employer narratives around impact, purpose, and belonging. - **ROI Dashboard**: Metrics for quantifying employer branding success.

Does the book address remote/hybrid work trends?

Yes. Adams discusses adapting employer branding for remote-first cultures, emphasizing flexibility, digital onboarding experiences, and virtual team-building as key components of modern EVPs.

What criticisms exist about *Give & Get Employer Branding*?

Some note the strategies require significant organizational buy-in and resources, which may challenge smaller companies. Others suggest the book could delve deeper into global employer branding nuances.

Give & Get Employer Branding

Repel the Many and Compel the Few with Impact, Purpose and Belonging

Bryan Adams and Charlotte Marshall

4.05(107 Reviews)

Overview of Give & Get Employer Branding

Revolutionize your path to success with "Give and Take," Adam Grant's bestselling guide that flips conventional wisdom. Endorsed by Sheryl Sandberg and praised by Wall Street Journal, it reveals why givers - not takers - ultimately dominate. What's your workplace style costing you?

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One book. Many ways to hear it.

Same ideas from Give & Get Employer Branding. Pick the voice, depth, and pace that fits you. Switch anytime.

Chapter 1

The Traditional Approach Is Broken

In today's fiercely competitive job market, with the balance of power squarely in job-seekers' hands, how can organizations attract and retain the most talented, diverse candidates—and the best additions to their culture? The answer may surprise you. The most effective employer brands don't attract candidates; they repel them. For years, companies have approached employer branding like a sales pitch, trying to seduce candidates with flashy perks and promises of an amazing work environment. But this approach is fundamentally flawed. It leads to a flood of unqualified applicants, wasted time and resources, and ultimately, poor hires who quickly become disillusioned when reality doesn't match the hype. We need a radical shift in how we think about employer branding. Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, we should focus on repelling the many and compelling the few. This may sound counterintuitive, but it's the key to building a workforce of passionate, aligned employees who will drive your organization forward.

Chapter 2

Introducing the Give & Get Framework

The core of our new approach is what we call the Give & Get Framework. It's based on a simple but powerful idea: candidates understand they need to sacrifice something in order to receive something in return. By making this arrangement explicit in your employer brand positioning and content, you create a "smart filter" that weeds out wrong-fit candidates before they even apply. Here's how it works: Instead of glossing over the challenges of working at your company, you lean into them. You're upfront about the demands of the role, the realities of your culture, and what it truly takes to thrive in your organization. This is the "Give" - what employees need to bring to the table. But you balance this with an equally compelling "Get" - the unique value, growth opportunities, and sense of purpose that employees receive in return for their efforts. This isn't just about salary and benefits. It's about articulating how working at your company allows people to make an impact, develop their skills, and find meaning in their work. By presenting this honest exchange, you attract candidates who are genuinely excited by the challenges you offer and aligned with your mission. You repel those who aren't a good fit, saving everyone time and frustration.

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Chapter 3

Crafting Your Give & Get EVP

To implement this approach, you need to redefine your Employee Value Proposition (EVP) through the Give & Get lens. This involves several key steps: First, conduct thorough internal research. Talk to your current employees, especially your top performers. What drew them to your company? What keeps them engaged? What challenges do they face, and how do they overcome them? Look for patterns and themes that emerge. Next, do external research to understand your target talent personas. What motivates them? What are their career aspirations? What do they value in an employer? This will help you tailor your messaging to resonate with the right candidates. Now, it's time to craft your Give & Get statements. Be bold and specific. Instead of vague promises like "We offer growth opportunities," you might say something like: "We'll push you out of your comfort zone daily, but in return, you'll gain hands-on experience solving complex problems that impact millions of users." Remember, the goal is not to appeal to everyone. It's to create a strong reaction - either "That sounds amazing!" or "No way, not for me." Both are valuable outcomes that help you attract the right talent and repel the wrong fit.

Chapter 4

Bringing Your EVP to Life Through Storytelling

Once you've defined your Give & Get EVP, the next challenge is communicating it effectively. This is where the power of storytelling comes in. Human beings are wired to respond to stories. They're how we make sense of the world and connect emotionally with ideas. To bring your EVP to life, seek out compelling stories from within your organization that illustrate the Give & Get exchange in action. Look for employees who have overcome significant challenges, made unexpected career pivots, or achieved remarkable results. For example, let's say one of your "Give" statements is about the fast-paced, high-pressure nature of your work environment. You might share a story like this: "When Sarah joined our product team, she was used to carefully planned, months-long development cycles. Her first week here, we completely pivoted our strategy based on new market data. It was intense - late nights, heated debates, rapid prototyping. But by the end of the month, we'd launched a new feature that our customers loved. Sarah says it was the most exhilarating and rewarding experience of her career." This story brings the "Give" (high-pressure environment) to life, while also highlighting the "Get" (exciting work, rapid growth, meaningful impact). It's far more powerful than simply stating "We work in a fast-paced environment."

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Chapter 5

Activating Your Employer Brand

With your Give & Get EVP defined and your stories collected, it's time to activate your employer brand both internally and externally. This means infusing your Give & Get messaging throughout the entire candidate and employee journey. Start with your careers website. Redesign it to prominently feature your Give & Get statements and the stories that bring them to life. Use bold, authentic language that reflects your company's true culture. Next, train your recruiters and hiring managers on the Give & Get approach. They should be able to articulate your EVP clearly and use it to have more meaningful conversations with candidates. Encourage them to be upfront about challenges as well as opportunities. Don't forget about your current employees. They're your best brand ambassadors. Share your Give & Get EVP with them and encourage them to spread the word in their networks. Consider creating an employee advocacy program to make it easy for them to share authentic content about life at your company. Finally, look for creative ways to bring your Give & Get messaging to life in your recruitment marketing. This could include social media campaigns, video content, or even interactive experiences that let candidates get a taste of your company's challenges and rewards.

Chapter 6

Measuring Success and Iterating

Implementing a Give & Get approach to employer branding is a journey, not a destination. It's crucial to continually measure your results and refine your strategy. Key metrics to track include: 1. Quality of hire: Are you attracting and retaining better-fit employees? 2. Time-to-hire: Is your process more efficient now that you're attracting more qualified candidates? 3. Employee engagement and retention: Are your new hires more engaged and staying longer? 4. Employer brand awareness: Are you becoming known for your unique culture and opportunities? Don't be discouraged if you see a drop in overall application numbers at first. Remember, the goal is quality over quantity. If you're attracting fewer but better-fit candidates, that's a win. Be prepared to iterate on your Give & Get messaging based on what you learn. As your company evolves, so too should your EVP. Stay in tune with your employees' experiences and the changing needs of your target talent. In conclusion, the Give & Get approach to employer branding represents a paradigm shift in how we attract and retain talent. By being boldly authentic about both the challenges and rewards of working at your company, you create a powerful filter that draws in the right candidates and repels those who aren't a fit. It's not about having the most applications; it's about having the right ones. Embrace this approach, and you'll build a workforce of passionate, aligned employees who will drive your organization to new heights.

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Key Themes in Give & Get Employer Branding

talent attraction strategy
employee value proposition
recruitment storytelling
culture fit filtering
employer brand activation

Quotes from Give & Get Employer Branding

We should focus on repelling the many and compelling the few.
It's not about having the most applications; it's about having the right ones.

Characters in Give & Get Employer Branding

Bryan AdamsCo-author and employer branding expert
Charlotte MarshallCo-author and employer branding expert

About the Author

Bryan Adams and Charlotte Marshall are bestselling authors and globally recognized employer branding experts, acclaimed for their groundbreaking work Give & Get Employer Branding. Adams, CEO of Ph.Creative and founder of the Employer Branding Academy, co-authored the influential Getting Goosebumps (2018), which redefined talent attraction strategies.

Marshall, Global Employer Brand Leader at Danaher Corporation, has architected five Fortune 500 employer brands, including award-winning programs at Thermo Fisher Scientific and Magellan Health. Their collaboration merges decades of hands-on experience with innovative frameworks for building authentic employee value propositions (EVPs) that repel mismatched candidates while compelling top talent through cultural transparency.

The book’s data-driven “Give and Get” methodology, featured in industry conferences worldwide, challenges conventional recruitment marketing by emphasizing mutual employer-employee value exchange. Adams’ branded content platforms and Marshall’s international speaking engagements amplify their reputation as thought leaders.

Praised as “the smartest thinking on employer brand” and “a decade ahead of its time,” their work has become essential reading for HR and talent acquisition teams. The book achieved bestseller status within months of release, solidifying its impact on modern workplace strategy.

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Give & Get Employer Branding

OverviewOverview of Give & Get Employer Branding

One book. Many ways to hear it.

The Traditional Approach Is Broken

Introducing the Give & Get Framework

See every word as you hear it

Crafting Your Give & Get EVP

Bringing Your EVP to Life Through Storytelling

Get more out of Give & Get Employer Branding

Activating Your Employer Brand

Measuring Success and Iterating

You made it to the end of Give & Get Employer Branding

Key Themes in Give & Get Employer Branding

Quotes from Give & Get Employer Branding

Characters in Give & Get Employer Branding

About the Author

Download Summary of Give & Get Employer Branding

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FAQs About This Book

What is Give & Get Employer Branding by Bryan Adams about?

Who should read Give & Get Employer Branding?

Is Give & Get Employer Branding worth reading?

What are the main concepts in Give & Get Employer Branding?

Discover more

1,000,000+ curious minds.

1,000,000+ curious minds.

One book. Many ways to hear it.

The Traditional Approach Is Broken

Introducing the Give & Get Framework

See every word as you hear it

Crafting Your Give & Get EVP

Bringing Your EVP to Life Through Storytelling

Get more out of Give & Get Employer Branding

Activating Your Employer Brand

Measuring Success and Iterating

You made it to the end of Give & Get Employer Branding

Users also liked

Discover more

Overview of Give & Get Employer Branding