Displaying my small team on our website (A person doesnt want a photo displayed - doesnt look professional

[Lukejohn]

Hi all,

We are updating our website to show the team, one collague doesnt want to have a photo up, and I cant make them, it looks unprofessional that we have 5 with photos and one of the key business managers without one - any suggestions how we can over come this?

Thanks,

LJ

 

[WaveJumper]

Be interesting to hear other forum members thoughts on this subject, personally I would not care what your team look like,I wonder is there any statistics out there that say this is a good idea, do you think this is going to attract more business. However in answer to your main question you need to respect your employee's wishes unless of course they have waived their right if you included in their contract of employment

 

[kulture]

Own the situation. Demonstrate that you honour your employees desire for privacy and say so publicly.

 

[Lukejohn]

Yes, unfortunately I'll have to omit their picture. Its quite important, as a lot of clients have percieved the business as just me -ive been told to demonstrate capacity by one of them where we failed to secure the bid. In addition we have a number of bids in for asssessment at the moment and we want to show we can handle the work load. Im competing with a lot of similar companies now, with bigger teams.

 

[Newchodge]

Hi all,

We are updating our website to show the team, one collague doesnt want to have a photo up, and I cant make them, it looks unprofessional that we have 5 with photos and one of the key business managers without one - any suggestions how we can over come this?

Thanks,

LJ

Put up with it or remove all the photos.

 

[Newchodge]

Yes, unfortunately I'll have to omit their picture. Its quite important, as a lot of clients have percieved the business as just me -ive been told to demonstrate capacity by one of them where we failed to secure the bid. In addition we have a number of bids in for asssessment at the moment and we want to show we can handle the work load. Im competing with a lot of similar companies now, with bigger teams.

You don't need a photo. Why can't you just put in a pen picture?

 

[Lukejohn]

I was thinking of using an avatar or silhoutte, not sure what will look best.

 

[Lukejohn]

You don't need a photo. Why can't you just put in a pen picture?

Sorry whats a pen pic - when I google I get a biro on the screen

 

[Newchodge]

Sorry whats a pen pic - when I google I get a biro on the screen

You describe someone in writing - not their physical appearance, which is an absolute irrelevance, but their achievements, skills, qualifications etc. What they add to your business.

 

[Shopclicks]

I was thinking of using an avatar or silhoutte, not sure what will look best.

Describe them to MidJourney

BTW You've been a member here since February and we still don't know what you look like!

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Could you add something as simple as "picture coming soon" for theirs? It could be argued that it would look unprofessional if it's like that and then someone sees you still haven't put one on in a year - but is anyone actually going to check that, and if they do wouldn't they understand it's probably the least of your priorities?

Not sure what your business is or how seriously you need to be perceived, but at one of my previous companies I was responsible for doing the website. As a joke whilst it was in the build stage I set all the pictures as funny ones - the MD got a picture of David Brent, the ops manager (a coffee fiend) had a picture of a frazzled cat I think it was clutching a giant mug of coffee, I had Jay from the inbetweeners (I had a passing resemblance to him at the time). The MD found it so funny he told us to make the website live with it and once we did it was actually the source of much good humour and mick taking with customers and became a bit of a good talking point. It did help though that we were a small company, generally with a small circle of close customers that we worked with and had very good personal relationships with so the humour sort of worked. Had we been a team of investment bankers or similar - maybe not!

 

[sarky]

Just get a stock photo -- you can probably find a free one. Nearly all those businesses with smiley call centre staff use stock photos.

 

[Lukejohn]

Could you add something as simple as "picture coming soon" for theirs? It could be argued that it would look unprofessional if it's like that and then someone sees you still haven't put one on in a year - but is anyone actually going to check that, and if they do wouldn't they understand it's probably the least of your priorities?

Not sure what your business is or how seriously you need to be perceived, but at one of my previous companies I was responsible for doing the website. As a joke whilst it was in the build stage I set all the pictures as funny ones - the MD got a picture of David Brent, the ops manager (a coffee fiend) had a picture of a frazzled cat I think it was clutching a giant mug of coffee, I had Jay from the inbetweeners (I had a passing resemblance to him at the time). The MD found it so funny he told us to make the website live with it and once we did it was actually the source of much good humour and mick taking with customers and became a bit of a good talking point. It did help though that we were a small company, generally with a small circle of close customers that we worked with and had very good personal relationships with so the humour sort of worked. Had we been a team of investment bankers or similar - maybe not!

We work with Government, Councils and businesses. I do like the idea , but I think it wouldnt go down well.

 

[japancool]

You describe someone in writing - not their physical appearance, which is an absolute irrelevance, but their achievements, skills, qualifications etc. What they add to your business.

I thought you meant a picture from the court artist.

 

[Lukejohn]

Just get a stock photo -- you can probably find a free one. Nearly all those businesses with smiley call centre staff use stock photos.

Where can I get one of those?

 

[japancool]

Generate one with Bing AI.

 

[Newchodge]

Generate one with Bing AI.

But do not give the photo the name of one of your employees!

 

[Mark T Jones]

I think there is an element of empathy from showing photos - particularly for those who will be dealing directly with customers.

How about a team photo (the individual may or may not want to be part of it) with separate individual bios?

 

[Fagin2021]

Call me an old cynic but people who represent stock photos as employees just make me wonder what other porkies they're telling about the business.

 

[DontAsk]

Yes, unfortunately I'll have to omit their picture. Its quite important, as a lot of clients have percieved the business as just me -ive been told to demonstrate capacity by one of them where we failed to secure the bid.

I would be asking how they want you to prove capacity, rather than assuming a few photos on your website will do it.

 

[thetiger2015]

I wouldn't use stock photos imo. They're too staged and lots of other people are using them.

Interestingly, I used to work somewhere that published everyones photos online and, unfortunately, it resulted in a few dodgy creeps phoning the company and asking to speak to certain females who they'd taken a shine to from the photos. We took everything down and simply added a small bio for the most important team members, the customer service team didn't want to have their names online, as it would mean someone could just keep asking to speak to them. Better to be anonymous sometimes.

 

[Exben]

You could commission some nice illustrations of each person that suit the aesthetic of your website, based on a photograph, or preferably just use an avatar for the individual who doesn't want a picture. A decent looking avatar won't look particularly unprofessional and will make absolutely no difference with regards securing contracts. More important than what they look like is a brief bio outlining their skills and contribution to the team.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

From previous experience, having worked with a telesales girl who's dulcet tones made her sound like a cross between Joanna Lumley and Brigitte Bardot and who's sales patter was flirtatious to the point where she was often asked out for a drink, a photograph on the company website would have done her and the sales targets no favours.

Shallow I know but..............................

 

[Financial-Modeller]

...a lot of clients have percieved the business as just me -ive been told to demonstrate capacity by one of them where we failed to secure the bid. In addition we have a number of bids in for asssessment at the moment and we want to show we can handle the work load...

Surely you want to be demonstrating your collective achievements, and emphasising how those achievements have underpinned your preparation for bigger contracts.

Pictures won't help and stock photos could actually be detrimental as it could look like misrepresentation.

 

[IanSuth]

I would go with a picture of something the member of staff loves and a statement like _ "Here is Jeff's Car as it is his pride and joy" or a Football/Rugby club badge

 

[UKSBD]

You can use my duck if you like?

Seriously though, I personally think greyed out sihouettes look far better and more professional than stock photos or tring to do anything humorous

 

[sarky]

Where can I get one of those?

Here's one for example: https://unsplash.com/s/photos/office-worker

 

[Lukejohn]

Thanks all , interesting to get everyone's thoughts!
We've gone with a mix of photos and avatars for those that don't want the pics up there. We are an innovation agency so we think it matches being create etc.
We are working on stronger bios and these will be on quotes going forward too!

 

[Lisa Thomas]

Can you not just use an avatar? or just have their name and bio, with no picture.

 

[paulears]

Every year in pantomime, we are quite active in photos and social media, but a couple of people do not want their images shown in social media, yet hapilly join the group for team photos, but then complain when they appear on facebook. One even has a facebook and youtube account with his pictures on it. That dosn't matter, I cannot post their image without permission - end of! Luckily I'm not bad with photoshop. You only have to watch TV to see people who do not want to have their image on TV. Some are simply because maybe they cannot be identified to ask them about a waiver form, but others just said no. You have to respect their wishes. They joined the team to do a specific job - I bet nothing about being a face on the net was mentioned?

 

[Bob Morgan]

They appear as though they have Second or Third Jobs under the Radar. Make it a Contract Condition for future appointments.

 

[paulears]

It might cut down your pool of good staff? Look at TV shows that take place in hospitals. Plenty of highly skilled, well qualified people who do NOT want to be on the internet. Seems foolish to pick somebody based on their willingness to have their face on the net? I'd rather have a better candidate and respect their privacy?

 

[thetiger2015]

They appear as though they have Second or Third Jobs under the Radar. Make it a Contract Condition for future appointments.

What? That they have to have their photo and name publicly searchable and visible to potential scammers/dodgy people?

That will just cut off some potentially great employees who are very private people. Some people have reasons for limiting their online presence and I don't think the company makes any profit from publishing employee photos/names online. I don't recall any time I've wanted to know what an employee of someones business looks like, I don't care.

 

[Bob Morgan]

What? That they have to have their photo and name publicly searchable and visible to potential scammers/dodgy people?

That will just cut off some potentially great employees who are very private people. Some people have reasons for limiting their online presence and I don't think the company makes any profit from publishing employee photos/names online. I don't recall any time I've wanted to know what an employee of someones business looks like, I don't care.

Did I say that? - I think not! I merely suggested that it gave the Wrong Impression! Of course there is an alternative . . .

"Staff are unwilling to provide personal photographs as they are part of a Witness Protection Programme!"

 

[Lisa Thomas]

Not everyone wants their face plastered over the internet, especially without consent, and why should they?

 

[fantheflames]

Thanks all , interesting to get everyone's thoughts!
We've gone with a mix of photos and avatars for those that don't want the pics up there. We are an innovation agency so we think it matches being create etc.
We are working on stronger bios and these will be on quotes going forward too!

I think that's a great idea. If everyone said yes that would make life so much easier, but the reality is we have to adapt to the people around us. And I salute you for coming on here, asking for opinions, and then creating a different approach to it!

And I think that this outcome is far more better than having everyone's images up. It shows that not everyone is the same, and it will give your business more personality.