Making money feels good, but giving back can feel even better. Generosity can even be good for your company’s reputation, which in turn can help increase business.
Here are some ways in which businesses can start giving back to society.
Donate money
Donating money to charitable causes is the most common way to give back. You can donate some of your profits to a cause or continue to donate a portion of your income (some businesses may sell certain charity products where a certain percentage of the proceeds go to charity). You can even sponsor local events and projects, donating money to a cause so that you can advertise through the event/project. You can even find your own way to raise money from sponsors such as keeping a donation box, taking part in charity events or organizing your own charity event.
Donate services and products
There may be services and products you can give to people for free as a gesture of kindness. For example, a hair salon might conform to cut the hair of the homeless, while a toy retailer might donate some toys to the local orphanage for Christmas. Certain businesses may even donate their venue for events (eg a youth center may allow charity organizers to host events there freed from charge).
sharing knowledge
You may have special knowledge that you can share with the world. Many outstanding figures such as stage directors Travis Preston has dedicated an incredible deal of time to helping students break into the theater industry. You may have the ability to help people who want to enter your profession yourself – this could include conducting seminars and workshops, writing handbooks or even designing courses. Alternatively, you may have the ability to offer a client or supplier free advice.
Save the Environment
You too can find ways to give back to the planet. Many industries leave a carbon footprint, but you may have the ability to offset this by finding ways to help restore the environment. In addition to giving money towards environmental causes, you may have the ability to take steps such as planting trees. Some companies around the globe have even found ways to turn waste into profit, helping clean up the streets while earning money – you can read more about this at Pacific Standard.
Offer work experience
If your business is part of a popular industry, consider whether offering work experience could be of great benefit to people trying to get in. This can include job shadowing opportunities, internships or apprenticeships. In addition to helping others follow their future careers, you will be hiring a helping hand (even though work experience should not just be seen as cheap labor) and possibly seeking future employees for your business. Forbes offer an article here on further benefits of offering work experience.
