I went to school for interior design – not business. I learned about floor-plans, drawings, and renderings, not about business (which really should be part of the education, seeing as many designers start their own design business – shameless plug for mine, Health & Home) – but I digress. My point is, I never learned the basics of starting a business so when I decided to start not one, but three – I had a lot to learn.
One thing I did know was that I wanted my businesses to be meaningful, helpful, socially responsible, and committed to giving back to the community. However, it wasn’t until I did more research and learned about what makes a business successful today that I realized customers want the same thing! It’s no longer just about providing excellent products or services. People are actively seeking out businesses that are socially responsible and committed to giving back to the community!
Love to see it!
You might wonder, with all the benefits that giving back can bring, why aren’t more companies prioritizing it? Perhaps it’s because there’s a lingering stigma that giving something – anything – means losing something in return. But as someone who has experienced the positive impact of giving back, I can tell you that this simply isn’t true. In fact, giving back can give your work more meaning and purpose, beyond just benefiting yourself. It can positively impact your customers, your community, and – yes – your business too!
In this blog post, we’ll explore ten different ways that giving back can benefit your business. From improving your brand reputation and attracting loyal customers to boosting employee morale and even increasing profits, we’ll show you how you can create a business that not only makes a difference but also thrives. So let’s dive in and discover how giving back can be a win-win for both your business and the world!
Enhance Brand Reputation
When you align your business with a cause that resonates with your customers, it shows them that you care about more than just making money. You become more than just a business; you become a force for good in the community. This can lead to a stronger emotional connection between your customers and your brand, which can lead to increased loyalty and positive word-of-mouth advertising. Plus, when people see that you’re giving back and making a positive impact, it can attract new customers who want to support a business that’s making a difference! So, by giving back, you’re not just doing good, you’re also building a stronger, more authentic brand for yourself and your business!
Attract & Retain Customers
When you make giving back a part of your business, you’re not only doing good for your community, but you’re also attracting and retaining customers who value what you value and have a heart for social responsibility. Customers want to feel like they’re making a positive impact through their purchases, and by aligning your business with their values, you create a strong connection with them. When customers feel connected to you and your business and what you are trying to do, they’re more likely to stay loyal and continue supporting you! Happy customers also tend to spread the word about businesses they love, which can lead to even more customers and growth for your business!
Positive Employee Experience
When employees feel that their work has a greater purpose and that their company is committed to making a positive impact in the world, it can significantly increase their engagement and motivation. And let’s face it, happy and motivated employees are more likely to stick around!
By incorporating opportunities for employees to give back to their community, either through volunteering or fundraising, it not only strengthens the company’s relationship with the community but also fosters a sense of teamwork and camaraderie among employees.
Employees who feel that they are part of a company that prioritizes making a difference are more likely to be passionate about their work, feel valued and fulfilled, and are less likely to seek employment elsewhere. So, by prioritizing giving back, you not only improve your company’s relationship with the community but also your relationship with your employees.
Networking Opportunities
Giving back can also create networking opportunities for your business! When you get involved with charitable organizations or events, you have the chance to connect with other business owners and individuals who share similar values and passions!
These connections can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and even new customers. Finding time to volunteer at events or serving on a board can also help you develop skills and knowledge that can benefit your business! So not only can you make a positive impact in your community, but you can also expand your network and learn from others who are also in the “business” of making a difference!
Positive marketing and PR
One of the most obvious ways giving back can benefit your business is through boosted marketing and PR efforts. When you engage in philanthropic activities or community service, it creates an opportunity for your business to be featured in local media outlets or to be promoted through social media channels. This means that not only are you helping your community, but you’re also promoting your business at the same time! Customers love to support companies that do good, and by promoting your charitable activities, you’re showing that you’re a business that cares about more than just making a profit.
On top of that, by getting involved with local events and initiatives, you’re able to connect with potential customers and partners in a more authentic way – around something you all care about! So, not only are you doing good, but you’re also boosting your brand’s visibility and credibility at the same time.
Customer & Employee Happiness
Giving back doesn’t just benefit your business by attracting new customers or boosting your brand reputation. It can also improve the satisfaction of your current customers and employees. When you give back to the community or support a cause that resonates with them, it shows that you care about more than just profits. This creates a sense of loyalty and connection to your business that can improve their overall satisfaction! Your employees will feel proud to work for a company that gives back, which can boost their morale and engagement, leading to improved job satisfaction and retention. And your customers will feel good about supporting a business that cares about making a positive impact in the world – which benefits them too! Win-win for all!
Develop new skills and expertise
Giving back can also help you and your employees develop new skills and expertise that can be valuable for your business. When you work with a non-profit organization or community group, you can gain exposure to different ways of thinking and problem-solving that can enhance your skills as a leader and entrepreneur.
Your employees can also benefit from this, as they can develop new skills and gain experience in areas outside of their usual job duties. This can lead to increased job satisfaction and a greater sense of purpose in their work. And, who knows, you might even discover a new passion or interest that can help you and your business grow in unexpected ways!
Encourage innovation and creativity
When you’re focused on giving back, you’re not just making a difference in the community – you’re also opening up a world of possibilities for innovation and creativity within your own business! Encouraging your team to brainstorm new and innovative ways to give back can lead to some seriously creative ideas that can benefit your business as well as the community you’re supporting.
Plus, it’s a great way to get your team excited, working together, passionate and engaged in the work they’re doing and the difference it is making!
Community Support
Businesses that make an effort to give back can have a hugely positive impact on the local community, whether it’s by supporting local charities, volunteering their time, or even just sponsoring community events. By doing so, you can help to create a sense of goodwill and positivity in the community, which can in turn help to foster a strong relationship between your business and the people you serve.
The people in your community will be more likely to support you and your business because they can get behind what you are about and what you are doing. This leads to more business, relationships, networking and customers that are genuinely rooting for you! Plus, it feels good to give back to the community that supports you!
Personal & Professional Purpose & Fulfillment
You know that feeling you get when you help someone out or contribute to something that really makes a difference? It’s like a warm fuzzy feeling that fills your heart and soul. Well, giving back can give you that feeling and so much more! When you and your team contribute to a cause or organization that you really believe in, it can give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment beyond just making a profit. It can also bring your team together and strengthen bonds, which can create a positive and supportive work environment.
And let’s be real, who doesn’t want to feel good about the work they do and the impact they’re making on the world? Doing so will make you more passionate about your work and what you are doing, which will positively impact every aspect of your business and your life.
Win-Win All around
Giving back through your business is a win-win situation for everyone involved – your customers, employees, community, and the world at large. But guess what? It’s also a win for YOU! When you make a positive impact, you’re not only doing good, but you’re also living out your purpose and creating a sense of personal fulfillment. And let’s be real, the world could use more of that kind of positive energy.
So, what do you think? Have you tried any of these strategies in your own business? Are there any other ways you’ve found that giving back has benefited your company?
Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to share what your business is doing to give back or what you are planning to do to give back so that we can come alongside and support you as you support others too!
Thanks for being here and for looking to make the world a better place through your business 🙂
xx I love you, I mean it
DISCLAIMER
Please note that all content on this page, website, and any affiliated resources is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of treatment from a physician. NO information on this page or website should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition. Additionally, please be aware that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, from which I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through those links.