Perhaps it is a common notion that only large-scale corporations need are giving back to the communities through some kind of philanthropic works. After all, these are huge businesses with large budgets that truly can reach out and help various charities or projects in a community.
The real scenario is that the United States actually has thousands of small businesses on these businesses employ about half of the total workers in the country. While each small-scale business might be unable to give as much as a huge corporation, it is not true however that what they give isn't as relevant to local communities. At the same time, the benefits of a charitable giving program help those in need as well as benefitting these small businesses.
Giving Back Is Good Publicity
Positive publicity - especially in a social media world where any story can be shared - is invaluable for a small business. And while you may dutifully send announcements out to local publications and TV stations every time you launch a new product or run a promotion, they're simply not going to cover every one of those stories.
However if the story is going to tell about your business giving back to your community through monetary donation, or donating in kind, services or the time you share doing voluntary works, any local media would find it highly interesting as it is good news for everyone.
For example, in Utah there is a small tire business called Burt Brothers Tires. While they could pay for advertising and send out press releases about new products and services, it was their charitable giving that got them noticed in Forbes, a national publication. Burt Brothers Tires has been a big supporter of a local community project, Coats for Kids, and their hard work was noticed by Forbes and publicized. This positive publicity was free and just a happy side benefit of doing some good.
Your Employees Will Appreciate It
To be able to work in a company that cares is a good opportunity. Since your business is small and your employees are mostly "locals," you are likely to find common causes significant for them as well. And so, to give back to the community is a big morale booster and a solid team-building activity for all. There can be several options for your employees to become participative, including:
A day off from the business in order to give way for a "Volunteer Day" with all employees encouraged to report to a planned volunteer activity rather than work is good.
Have a sit down session with employees soliciting their personal preferences for causes to support and vote on one which the whole group finds the best. Maybe a simple way of setting up an online philanthropy platform like InstaGive could entice employees to donate financially.
This provides simple and intuitive access for any small business to set up a branded webpage to collect charitable donations via credit card.
Customers Also Value Giving Back
If a small business learns to give back to its community, those who benefit from it are not only the employees of the business. You'll find customers considering this to be valuable as well in that they often buy from businesses who have the heart for its community. There is a positive publicity showcasing goodwill and this can definitely have an impact on customers whether current or prospective. This should not be the end of it though.
Here are few ways you can directly involve your customers in your giving program:
Maybe you can put donation jars in your counter or you can think of any other simple yet quick ways for your walk-in customers to participate and talking to them about it while they are in your outlet ought to make them more aware.
An InstaGive site is another good idea as you can utilize visual signage to promote it as well as via email and the use of social networking sites.
You can always ask customers to join your employees for organized activities. The more work that needs to be accomplished, the more people you will need to partake of all the labor.
Pick a specific time period - say, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday - during which a percentage of every purchase will be given to a charitable cause. Actively promote this event so customers who care can plan their purchases accordingly.
Here you've read about some of the reasons for considering giving back to communities via planned charity or voluntary works though you may be a small business as individual businesses may find something unique to do. Be sure you find time for planning any solid and strategic program so you can start giving back now!
The real scenario is that the United States actually has thousands of small businesses on these businesses employ about half of the total workers in the country. While each small-scale business might be unable to give as much as a huge corporation, it is not true however that what they give isn't as relevant to local communities. At the same time, the benefits of a charitable giving program help those in need as well as benefitting these small businesses.
Giving Back Is Good Publicity
Positive publicity - especially in a social media world where any story can be shared - is invaluable for a small business. And while you may dutifully send announcements out to local publications and TV stations every time you launch a new product or run a promotion, they're simply not going to cover every one of those stories.
However if the story is going to tell about your business giving back to your community through monetary donation, or donating in kind, services or the time you share doing voluntary works, any local media would find it highly interesting as it is good news for everyone.
For example, in Utah there is a small tire business called Burt Brothers Tires. While they could pay for advertising and send out press releases about new products and services, it was their charitable giving that got them noticed in Forbes, a national publication. Burt Brothers Tires has been a big supporter of a local community project, Coats for Kids, and their hard work was noticed by Forbes and publicized. This positive publicity was free and just a happy side benefit of doing some good.
Your Employees Will Appreciate It
To be able to work in a company that cares is a good opportunity. Since your business is small and your employees are mostly "locals," you are likely to find common causes significant for them as well. And so, to give back to the community is a big morale booster and a solid team-building activity for all. There can be several options for your employees to become participative, including:
A day off from the business in order to give way for a "Volunteer Day" with all employees encouraged to report to a planned volunteer activity rather than work is good.
Have a sit down session with employees soliciting their personal preferences for causes to support and vote on one which the whole group finds the best. Maybe a simple way of setting up an online philanthropy platform like InstaGive could entice employees to donate financially.
This provides simple and intuitive access for any small business to set up a branded webpage to collect charitable donations via credit card.
Customers Also Value Giving Back
If a small business learns to give back to its community, those who benefit from it are not only the employees of the business. You'll find customers considering this to be valuable as well in that they often buy from businesses who have the heart for its community. There is a positive publicity showcasing goodwill and this can definitely have an impact on customers whether current or prospective. This should not be the end of it though.
Here are few ways you can directly involve your customers in your giving program:
Maybe you can put donation jars in your counter or you can think of any other simple yet quick ways for your walk-in customers to participate and talking to them about it while they are in your outlet ought to make them more aware.
An InstaGive site is another good idea as you can utilize visual signage to promote it as well as via email and the use of social networking sites.
You can always ask customers to join your employees for organized activities. The more work that needs to be accomplished, the more people you will need to partake of all the labor.
Pick a specific time period - say, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday - during which a percentage of every purchase will be given to a charitable cause. Actively promote this event so customers who care can plan their purchases accordingly.
Here you've read about some of the reasons for considering giving back to communities via planned charity or voluntary works though you may be a small business as individual businesses may find something unique to do. Be sure you find time for planning any solid and strategic program so you can start giving back now!
About the Author:
Sebastian Troup enjoys writing about philantrophic solutions for businesses and non profit organizations. For more information about the competitive advantage of corporate philanthropy, or to find about setting up employee giving campaigns , please check out the Truist.com website today.
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