Best Business Expert

Your business is a profit-center (or, at least, is working toward that goal). In a sense, your job is to take in money, in exchange for goods or services, and try to keep more of that money for yourself. That’s business: Generate revenue, increase profits.

But somewhere in there, businesses should not lose sight of the need for philanthropy. Your business might take in money and do okay, but we believe that your business will do even better when it takes in some money… but gives up a little for a good cause.

There are lots of theories about why businesses benefit when this happens: Is it karma? Is it the idea that "what goes around comes around"? Is it "buying goodwill"? Who knows. Maybe it’s a bunch of things. We believe that businesses have the responsibility and the privilege to give a little back, and will reap larger-than-expected benefits from that philanthropy.

Giving back could mean providing financial assistance to a charitable organization, but it might also include donating your company’s goods and services or providing some of your own time and/or expertise to a cause.

Your business has the responsibility to give back because you (as a business owner) are part of two special groups of people: First, you’re part of the human race and we need each other if we’re going to get through life. We’re a community that relies on each other. And, you’re part of a group of people who are able to earn revenue and build something.

Your business also has the privilege of giving back because being in a position to give is something that should be honored. You can be proud of the fact that you have something to share.

And the benefits? More than you might realize!

• There’s the factor of "what goes around comes around", mentioned above, in which we inexplicably benefit when we give. When you give, good things happen to you. Imagine the increased business you’ll get when you give a little to those in need.
• There’s the goodwill you get from people – prospective customers and others – who discover that you are someone who cares. People appreciate that you are someone who helps those in need. Imagine your customers telling their friends, "that business not only gives great service but they also work with disadvantaged youth".
• There are new networking opportunities that might not normally be available. Imagine meeting a hard-to-get-to prospect as you both serve homeless people in a soup line. You’ll definitely have a connecting point!
• There’s an entirely new perspective. It can be easy to get wrapped up in the challenges of your business but giving back reminds us all that there’s a bigger world out there. Imagine enjoying you work even more because you give something back.

Here’s how you can give back:

1. Find a cause that is special to you or relevant to your area of business. If your life has been touched by cancer, give generously to a cancer organization. If your niche market is women, give generously to a women’s shelter. If you’re a writer, promote literacy. If you have amazing sales skills, get involved in the fund-raising department of a charitable organization.
2. Be sure to include philanthropy in your business plan. Don’t just tack it on in your planner as "something to get around to later" because you may not. Other things will seem to take priority.
3. Encourage your staff to get involved, too. Have company-wide fund raisers to increase awareness about the cause you’re supporting. Use events to connect with customers and vendors in a new way.
4. Post a link to the cause on your website and give people a place to learn more about it and wy it’s important to you.

Contemporary VA

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