AI is transforming the way we handle many work-related tasks and the HR strategy is not an exeption to this. Employee portraits are not merely decorative elements on a website, in email signatures, or HR platforms; they serve as invaluable tools for building and strengthening business relationships and internal culture. For companies utilizing employee portraits, establishing a policy for their use, including defining the frequency of updates due to the importance of GDPR, is imperative to ensure that outdated images are not inadvertently used.

Presenting employees is building trust

Employee portraits are the gateway to a company’s professional image. They reflect an aura of organization and care, providing customers and stakeholders with the impression that the company is dedicated to presenting itself in an orderly manner. This is critical for making a first impression that says, “we are professional and reliable.”

However, it’s not just about professionalism. Portraits are also a means of expressing a company’s culture and values. They can showcase the diversity within the workforce or highlight the qualities of employees that the company wishes to emphasize. This creates an identity and connects employees with the company’s mission and values.

Effective employee presentation entails:

1. Trust and relationships: Through these portraits, customers and stakeholders can see the faces behind the company, building trust and personal connections. This positively impacts customer relationships and business connections.
2. Branding and culture: These images can express a company’s culture and values, showcasing diversity or emphasizing specific employee qualities.
3. Employee engagement: Inclusion of employee portraits in company documents and websites can enhance employee engagement, making them feel valued and recognized by the company.

Identifying employees is security

In addition to presentation, employee portraits play a vital role in employee identification. In industries where security and access control are crucial, these photos are essential for ensuring easy and precise identification at the workplace.

Moreover, identification make it easier for employees to recognize each other, fostering efficient communication and collaboration. They save time and resources by helping colleagues and customers identify the right person to contact.

Identifying employees offers numerous advantages:

1. Security: Identification photos are indispensable in industries where security is paramount, making it easier to identify employees accurately at the workplace.
2. Access control: In large organizations or areas with restricted access, identification photos are necessary to control and monitor access to specific areas.
3. Efficient communication: Identification photos make it easier for employees to recognize each other across departments or teams, improving communication and collaboration and help save time by making it easier for colleagues and customers to identify the appropriate contact person.

Regular updates and GDPR compliance

However, having employee portraits is just one part of the equation. To maintain their relevance and accuracy, it’s essential to update them regularly. An image from several years ago no longer reflects the employee’s current appearance, which can lead to confusion and reduced credibility – not to say less security. It is recommended to update portrait pictures every 3-4 years to ensure they remain accurate and up-to-date.

Protection of personal data is critical, especially with the introduction of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Companies must adhere to the law and ensure the privacy of employees. This entails obtaining consent from employees for the use of their images and having an appropriate storage policy for these pictures. GDPR mandates that personal information, including portraits, be securely stored and in compliance with the law. And to minimize handling of these essential criteria, Eikonice offers automation of this entire area.

Automation is the solution

For larger companies with multiple locations, managing and updating portrait photos can be challenging. This is where Eikonice comes into play. Eikonice is a platform that helps companies streamline and simplify the management of portrait pictures. By using Eikonice, companies can easily update and organize portraits across their organization, ensuring GDPR compliance and creating a consistent and professional presentation of their employees.

In today’s digital age, portraits are an integral part of a company’s image and identity. They are not merely decorative; they are powerful tools for building trust, fostering relationships, ensuring security, and enhancing efficiency. By using employee portraits strategically and thoughtfully, companies can create a strong and professional identity that helps them stand out in the competitive business world. Therefore, a comprehensive strategy for the use of portraits should be developed, making the process centralized, rather than the current decentralized and uncoordinated approach present in many companies today.

LinkedIn, with its vast user base of professionals and businesses alike, is more than just a platform for job seekers and recruiters; it’s a thriving ecosystem where corporate interests intersect with personal branding ambitions. It’s a place where the lines between promoting a company’s image and enhancing one’s personal brand blur, creating a unique synergy that can be a game-changer for both entities involved.

Corporate interests on LinkedIn

Companies worldwide have recognized the potential of LinkedIn as a strategic tool for achieving their objectives. From recruiting top talent to establishing a formidable online presence, LinkedIn offers an array of opportunities for businesses to showcase their prowess. A well-maintained company page becomes the face of the organization, shaping how it’s perceived by potential employees, clients, and partners.

The key lies in consistency and professionalism. A strong company presence on LinkedIn ensures that every interaction, from job postings to content sharing, aligns with the brand’s values and objectives. Organizations like Microsoft and IBM serve as prime examples of how to master the art of company representation on this platform.

Personal interests and branding on LinkedIn

On the other side of the equation, individuals wield LinkedIn as a potent tool for career advancement and personal branding. Crafting a compelling personal profile is paramount, but authenticity is equally crucial. LinkedIn is not merely a digital résumé but a stage for showcasing your expertise and passions. Successful individuals on the platform, such as entrepreneurs and thought leaders, use it as a canvas to share insights, engage with their networks, and build an authentic personal brand.

The interplay between business and personal

Here’s where the magic happens – in the overlap between corporate interests and personal branding. In the model below, the two circles are representing the interest of the company and the individual – and intersecting to create a shared space. Within this overlap lies a treasure trove of opportunities and challenges.

In the shared space between corporate interest and personal branding, several key topics come to the forefront. Let’s take a closer look at the 5 most interesting areas in this tension field – in random order, as a prioritization does not make sense without knowing the specific case.

• Employee branding: Individuals must strike a balance between personal and corporate interests when sharing content and engaging with their network. Being seen as a thought leader benefits both the individual and the company they represent.
• Thought leadership and content sharing: LinkedIn provides a platform for individuals within an organization to position themselves as industry experts and thought leaders. By sharing valuable content such as articles, reports, and opinions, employees can strengthen both their own personal brand and the credibility of the company within their industry.
• Recruiting and talent acquisition: Companies use LinkedIn as a powerful tool to attract top talent. Simultaneously, individual users seek job opportunities and employers that align with their career ambitions. This creates an overlap where companies aim to fulfill their recruiting needs while individuals seek to realize their professional goals.
• Onboarding: Companies benefit when new hires quickly adapt to the corporate culture and values. LinkedIn can facilitate this process by connecting newcomers with colleagues and providing insights into the company’s ethos.
• Networking: Building connections is at the heart of LinkedIn, and it’s a bridge that connects the two circles. Whether it’s nurturing relationships with potential clients or establishing partnerships, networking on LinkedIn can be a boon for both professional growth and corporate success.

One of the most critical aspects of this delicate dance between corporate interests and personal branding on LinkedIn lies in employee branding and onboarding. These two facets are not only interconnected but mutually reinforcing.

In today’s digital landscape, employees are more than just cogs in the corporate machinery; they are brand ambassadors. When individuals within an organization authentically share their experiences, insights, and expertise on LinkedIn, they not only enhance their personal brand but also contribute to a more human and relatable corporate image. This symbiotic relationship elevates the company’s profile and fosters trust within the professional community.

And for companies, the journey begins with onboarding. LinkedIn plays a pivotal role in ensuring that new hires swiftly immerse themselves in the corporate culture and values. It connects newcomers with seasoned colleagues and offers a window into the company’s ethos. This alignment of personal aspirations with corporate objectives starts right at the beginning of an employee’s LinkedIn journey.

As you embark on your LinkedIn endeavors, remember that this platform is more than just a digital resume or an online company brochure. It’s a dynamic intersection where careers are nurtured, brands are built, and professional relationships flourish. By effectively balancing the interests of both the individual and the organization, you can unlock the true potential of LinkedIn in today’s digital age.