Sir Richard Branson highlighted it best when he said, “Do good, have fun, and the money will come.” I believe that plus provide a service, look after people and money will come.
There are numerous reasons why small businesses should get involved in charity and giving back, ranging from a desire to do good in the world and give back to the community, to the recognition that it raises the company profile and creates good PR – in fact most major businesses include a corporate social responsibility strategy and research suggests that consumers are more likely to engage with a business who does ‘good’ within the community.
While the big business can invest on a higher level, it’s the small businesses who can really give back to the community at a grass roots level. Getting involved with local events and assisting local causes helps to build a profile at the base level… and it feels good too.
Word of mouth is still a strong marketing tool, and it’s only been emphasised through the growing prominence of social media. If your business is shown to actively give back for genuine purposes, it inspires trust, and in turn this will help drive business, at which point you just have to ensure that you deliver customer satisfaction.
However, this is just a very business-minded view on why small business should get involved. On a more personal and social perspective, the ability to give back to the community in itself is special and brings you much more than money can buy.
If you are able to get everyone in the office on board, it helps to build a strong culture that looks beyond the walls of the office. Find out what charities your employees support – often there is a reason why they have chosen to support a cause, a personal connection, so if a small business can look into supporting the causes of their employees it improves team dynamics.
While it’s undoubtable that it’s beneficial for small businesses to be involved with charities, in order to make sure you get the most of it you need to ask yourself two key questions – who do I want to support and how do I want to support them?
Make sure the charity you choose to support is a cause you believe in, if you are dedicated to what they are doing you are more likely to make the commitment to support them in the long run. You don’t have to limit yourself to one charity either – the fact that you can choose how to support the charity means you can allocate different means of support, whether it’s attending an event or regular donations.
Personally, I am an avid believer in giving my time and supporting charities and local organisations such a schools and sporting clubs. Pendragon Management supports a number of causes including Jeans for Genes Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) and Save the Children, however we also look to local charities such as Western Sydney Academy of Sport. WSAS revolves around the development of talented young sportspeople living in western Sydney. The Academy seeks to optimize the opportunities for these athletes to access effective programs which are constructed in collaboration with local, State and National sporting bodies.
Finally, even though there are numerous potential benefits, at the heart, give your time and don’t expect anything back. The knowledge that you are helping is the most powerful benefit you will receive.
WSAS – John Glover, WSAS Committee Member from Know My Life on Vimeo.
To attend Western Sydney Academy of Sports ‘Night with the Stars’, the region’s premier celebrity sports dinner, on Friday 10th March 2017 at the Castle Hill RSL’s Lyceum Room call call (02) 4725 6466 to book your seat.
