Big conferences are the perfect places to recruit top-tier talent, and it doesn’t get much bigger than AFROTECH Conference.
All roads lead to Austin, TX, Nov. 1-5, 2023, as some of the world’s top technologists, entrepreneurs, and Black professionals convene in one space. From learning from subject matter experts to building a more robust network, AFROTECH is poised to make history as one of the highlights of the year.
And while the attendees will have tons to take back with them, those coming to recruit will meet thousands of talented individuals who can take their teams to the next level. But in a constantly changing world, candidates want to be in an equitable and inclusive space. Therefore, companies must be intentional and genuine about communicating their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Nonprofit CEO and brand consulting manager Charaun Cash understands the balance of wanting to recruit the best fit for an organization and keeping the mission of equity at the core.
For Cash, setting up for success is less about the big visuals and more about the value proposition. It doesn’t mean that the setup and décor aren’t necessary, but without substantive information and authentic engagement, some bells and whistles can fall flat.
“I think the visuals are the icing on the cake. When you have stunning visuals, you need a value proposition and a brand promise. People need to know exactly what transformation they will receive from you by working with you or collaborating with you,” Cash stated.
At a conference like AFROTECH, brands should lean into the honesty of who they are and what they represent.
“Be mission-led. The organization I lead has a mission dedicated to bringing diverse people together to create a stronger, more equitable community through leadership and uncensored self-expression. And so that’s the first thing, making sure that the things we believe are at the forefront,” Cash pointed out.
But don’t get it twisted; value is core, but people still need to be interested in what a brand is, and that is done best with creative lead-ins. Understanding your brand’s marketing, how it presents, and how you want to engage are all vital to attracting great talent to your inclusive organization.
“We’re [Black people] not a monolith, so we all have differences. I think you are rewarded when you are your best self and your most authentic self because you don’t have to fake it, and it’s not going to be hard to sustain going forward when people rely on you in the future,” Cash stated.
There is no need for brands to be performative or lean into something they are not. So, when considering how the booth is set up and what type of interactions are planned, ensure the organization’s authenticity can shine through. And that authenticity needs to be coupled with confidence — that will make any organization stand out as the out loud, passionate brand people want to be a part of.
“Where can your organization lean into the personality of one of its leaders and the people who work within that same organization,” Cash questioned. “How is your brand culture structured, and what kind of autonomy can you provide? What kind of other fringe benefits are associated with working with your organization and why? Maybe it’s work-life balance. Lean into those things when considering your setup and presentation with people.”
Organizations can show that they mean business regarding DEI in several ways, but following these core tips can be a sure way to give your brand an upper hand onsite at AFROTECH Conference.
Register for AFROTECH now to meet all of the organizations looking to build their brand, and stay up-to-date by clicking here.
