Hey there ,

Reading time: about 1 min 38 secs

The week before last, I went to watch Bristol City (football) for the first time in over a year.

They clinched a last-minute victory, which was incredibly exciting after a tense final 20 minutes!

It also took me back to my early days as the BBC's first female commentator, poring over my Rothmans stats book, stacks of Four Four Two magazines, and my trusty stats notebook, doing my own analysis.

But the most striking moment of the evening happened before the game even started.

As we walked into the ground, a steward said,

'Enjoy your evening.'

It was such a small thing, but it made me smile.

And it also perplexed me.

In all my years of going to football matches – enduring a body patdown at West Ham, being denied entry with my crutches at another ground, and even being barred from a press box as a female broadcaster – I had never heard anyone say that at a football ground.

So, why does this matter?

And how does it relate to you, your business, and especially your hiring practices?

That simple phrase, 'Enjoy your evening,' represents a fundamental shift in perspective. It's about:

• Humanity over transaction: Seeing people as individuals with feelings and experiences, not just ticket holders or employees.
• Creating a welcoming environment: Fostering a sense of belonging and respect.
• Building positive relationships: Making people feel valued and appreciated.

In the context of hiring, this translates to:

• Candidate experience matters: Treat every applicant with respect and courtesy, regardless of whether they get the job.
• Culture is key: Build a company culture where employees feel valued, supported, and heard.
• Empathy drives engagement: Understand your employees' needs and aspirations.

When you create a hiring process and work environment where people feel genuinely welcomed and respected, you attract top talent, boost employee morale, and ultimately drive business success.

Let's make 2025 the year we prioritise the 'enjoy your evening' approach in all our interactions, both inside and outside the workplace.

Happy Hiring!

Helen

P.S. Ready to build a company culture that makes everyone feel welcome and valued?

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