As a business leader, what have you done lately to help the people in your community?
While your business likely employs locals and contributes to the local economy (both of which are great things), there is another great means by which you can help locals have a little bit better lives numerous times throughout the year.
When you get involved in your local community, specifically giving back to others in various ways, it not only allows your brand to receive positive public relations, but it also leaves you feeling good as a business leader when all is said and done.
So, are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work in 2016 and beyond?
How Can I Help?
For starters, look at the different avenues of help you can provide locals and even some outside your community in your role as a business owner.
One of the more popular means of helping others over the years has been giving back to the troops and their families.
Deployments both abroad and home can be tough for many who protect you and everyone else nationwide, so let them know you are thinking about them. Gathering up care packages to send to the troops is a relatively simple yet very effective way to say thank you for a job well done.
If you can’t find a way to participate in that avenue, look at helping the families of those troops back here in the States and other families and individuals for that matter.
Through reading programs and other initiatives, you can make your mark and put a smile on the faces of others, such as what the Sands Las Vegas has done.
Another option is to get involved with local fund-raising events.
Oftentimes, communities will have runs/walks that are geared towards raising money for a good cause, be it health-related, for someone in the community who may have lost their home to a fire or other disaster, or to gather funds for a local school or organization etc.
Anytime you can either be a participant or even a sponsor in such an event or events, it not only gives you the business owner a good feeling, but it reflects well on your brand now and over time.
While you certainly will take and enjoy the publicity that comes from any such events, always remember not to make it about you and your brand, but those you are helping.
Educating Others
Still another possibility is contributing your time and efforts to the local schools.
As was pointed out earlier, giving back to educational institutions is a great way to say you care about your local community.
This is where you can also get your employees involved when it comes to visiting the schools, reading to youngsters, having some older students’ intern for your business and more.
Reach out to local school leaders and see how your business can assist them.
If you have a high school, four-year college or community college in your community (perhaps more than one), talk to them about the possibility of having one or more of your employees come in on career days and the like to talk with students.
The employees can provide personal insight into how they came to work with your business, what it takes to get to that level, and answer any questions students may have.
Network and Get Results
Even though there are a number of avenues to go with when it comes to being involved in local events, getting word out about them and learning about them yourself means sound communication.
One of the ways to make this happen is by social media.
Get together with other area merchants and individuals to promote local fund-raising and other such events. Given the power and reach of social media these days, there is no reason that countless people can’t become involved.
Use your own social pages to promote and share such events, allowing your business to be seen as a leader in helping others in the community.
While you shouldn’t look at helping others as just publicity for your brand, there is no doubt that your business stands to benefit when you are an active player in your area.
