In the fall of 2017, a group of women in the entertainment industry put their minds together to discuss what they could do to prevent abuse and ensure equity for all working women. This meeting of the minds quickly evolved into a revolution, now known as the Times Up movement.
#TimesUp sparked female empowerment inspiration outside of the entertainment industry. In response to the movement, the healthcare industry created its own offshoot, Times Up Healthcare.
The founding members of Times Up Healthcare are working together to support anyone and everyone who is subjected to any type of bias in the healthcare industry.
While the Times Up Healthcare movement is instigating necessary change, it’s impacting various business aspects. Heightened awareness around these issues, for example, means medical sales recruiters will see a change in their strategies and recruitment practices.
To help you prepare, here’s a look at how the Times Up Healthcare movement will impact medical sales recruiters:
Recruitment strategies evolve into whole business strategies
“Unite healthcare workers across all fields.” This is Times Up Healthcare’s first goal listed on their website’s mission page. It doesn’t say, “diversify recruitment” or “unite all healthcare recruiters to solve inequity.”
The founders specify “all fields” because diversity is no longer an HR or recruitment problem. It’s a business problem. Companies are taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to issues of sexual harassment and inequality. Leaders understand that diversity and inclusion impact their brand, productivity, and creativity. These holistic viewpoints are imperative as we move toward positive change. However, they also demand holistic business strategies — and recruiters are on the frontline.
Be prepared to work alongside other company leaders and departments to develop recruitment strategies that increase diversity and inclusion. To move quickly and efficiently, it will be imperative everyone is open and transparent about areas for improvement and expectations. Recruiters, specifically, will need to communicate their strategies to ensure they align with business demands.
Accountability for who you recruit increases
Your goal, of course, is to recruit only the best medical sales reps. This has always been the goal and should remain so. But in today’s ever-changing atmosphere, your actions and the reasons behind who you recruit will be magnified.
You’re going to have to balance even more goals. The first goal is to find successful sales talent. Then, that sales talent must fit within your company’s culture and mission. And it’s critical all of this is accomplished while ensuring talent is diverse and is being assessed fairly.
More than ever, recruitment strategies require reevaluation. Where you look for talent may change based on evolving diversity needs. Additionally, core branding messages should be altered. Medical sales candidates want to see what leaders are doing to ensure harassment and discrimination are extinguished from their company.
There will be a push for ongoing inclusive recruitment strategies
Equity begins with inclusivity. You can’t read the minds of underrepresented groups or assume their needs. Many well-intentioned companies attempt to resolve this by hosting roundtable meetings or taking surveys.
These are positive actions, but if they stop after just a few rounds, you’ll lose ongong insight into the issues at hand. Times Up Healthcare was created because healthcare companies must find a more consistent approach.
Concerns surrounding ending harassment and inequality have been woven into the fabric of many organizations. As a result, it’s imperative that recruiters commit to consistently focusing on inclusive recruitment strategies to continue making these issues central and visible.
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