Many small businesses rely on the community surrounding them to keep them afloat. This is especially true for things that can’t really be sold online and delivered long distances. However, even if you do sell online, you’ll still want to ensure that you get a decent amount of foot traffic to any physical locations you sell from.
With that in mind, it makes sense to give back to your community and develop strong local relationships. If you’re unsure how to do this, you’ve come to the right place, as we’ve put together a list of five ways you can give back and show how much you care:
Ensure All Potential Employees Have the Same Opportunities
There’s a growing focus on inclusion in the workplace in Australia, and this emphasis exists for good reason. By affording equal opportunities to everyone who may be interested in a role in your business, you don’t just build a strong and diverse team – you also help support the local community. The more businesses there are supporting diversity and inclusivity, the more of an impact it will have on the community at large. As a business, your voice is amplified – make it count for good.
Help the People on Your Team Grow
Our second tip expands on the first. By running regular team culture and collaboration workshops and focusing on providing professional development for your team, you’ll be enhancing the skill set and harmony both within your business and within the wider community.
This tip draws from the saying, “train your team well enough that they can go anywhere, treat them well enough that they don’t want to.” Along with the benefits of long-term loyalty, you should find that this enhances your team’s satisfaction in their jobs and overall wellbeing. So you’ll be contributing to building a happier community in more ways than one.
Hold a Fundraiser Event
As a small business owner, you may not have the funds to provide sponsorship for a local team or initiative, but this doesn’t mean you can’t support them. By holding a fundraising event, you’ll be able to contribute a much larger sum than you would be able to alone, while also drawing positive attention to your business.
Examples of this could be an exclusive VIP shopping night where guests are able to purchase, with a percentage of each sale going to your chosen organisation. Really level up the class with this type of event by serving drinks and canapés from a local caterer.
Source What You Can Locally
Another great way to support your community is to choose local suppliers. While this won’t be possible for all components that go into the goods you sell, every bit counts. Service based businesses can get in on this by partnering with other local companies that provide complimentary services, or gifting clients with welcome packs or Christmas gifts sourced from local suppliers.
Donate Anything That Doesn’t Sell
Finally, donating anything that doesn’t sell within your store helps reduce landfill, while also helping those in your community who are less fortunate. While this obviously only applies to goods based businesses (FMCG in particular) it’s a great way to enhance the sustainability of your brand while also supporting locals.
Giving back to the local community is a great way to help others and make running your business feel more fulfilling. These tips are designed to give you a good idea of where to start, but you know your business best, so feel free to get creative in how you support those around you.
