You’re in business and hopefully successful, and if this is the case and you don’t already, then why not consider giving something back to the community that supports you?
In fact, giving something back should be as much a part of your business ethos as every other business facet and for good reason. In addition to the support and help that the charity receives, and which must always be the primary motivator, supporting your local community is actually pretty good for your brand too.
People’s attitudes are changing and now customers are far more likely to do business with a company that isn’t simply profit motivated, preferring instead to seek those businesses that have a more socially compassionate side.
The benefits are many but perhaps the most significant is the positive branding and image it creates for your business. It is also a good way of differentiating your business from your competition; people have a choice and unless purely lowest cost-driven, will give business to companies with a social side. It is also a good way to boost morale, with employees feeling they are not simply a cog in some ‘money-at-all-cost’ machine, as well as also being able to engage themselves with the charity or social cause.
It’s also free publicity and the best kind – positive publicity. Of course, this should not be the only reason to do charity work, but you are in business and the win-win benefits the charity too, so you should not be afraid or shy to recognise this aspect.
Finally, it IS good for business – if you support your community, then the community will support you and that means an increase in profits.
Jooce, although a SME does what it can to give back and presently is volunteering to help at the local foodbank – Warrington Foodbank. Our local foodbank is part of The Trussell Trust – www.trusselltrust.org/ – which supports a nationwide network of foodbanks, to provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, as well as campaigning for change to end the need for foodbanks in the UK. If you don’t already support a local charity, then maybe this would be a start and given the present cost of living crisis, it is more relevant than ever.
So go on, take your business to a higher level and support your community – it’s good for them and may well be good for your business too.