Step Six - Charitable Contributions - Build a Better Workforce

THE STONE GROUP
1981 MEMORIAL DRIVE
Suite #223
CHICOPEE, MA 01020

Michael J. Stone
phone(413) 726-9095
toll free: (866)615-6698 Mike@BuildaBetterWorkforce.com

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Step Six - Charitable Contributions

In a BBWF world, charitable contributions strengthen the message of your efforts regarding the previous five steps. In many ways, it presents a means of validation. It exemplifies to your employees, your customers, and everyone touched by your company that you have more to offer than your products and services.

I do not intend to give you research based facts on the affect charitable contributions will have on your bottom line, but I assure you it is available if you research it. However, for you to get the greatest benefit from this step, you must not look upon monetary gain as the reason to act.

Do not look upon charitable contributions as a means for local public relations. This unfortunately is way too common in the case of small business. It is thoughtless, fruitless, and transparent.

If you are insincere your employees will know it, your customers will know it, and the charities you pretend to be "involved" with will know it. This will lay a poor foundation for you to build strong win/win relationships.

The reverse is also true. If you are truly committed to charitable giving, your sincerity will not go unnoticed by any one of those critical partners. Even people who don't support your chosen causes will see you in a better light.

What I find interesting is a lot of small business owners are very charitable privately. Many of them are very committed to, and actively involved with one or several amazing organizations. In many cases, their own employees have no idea what a generous boss they have. (Need I remind you that perception is reality? Whether they think you are cheap or generous, they are right in their own minds.)
If you're not convinced as to why charitable giving is important to building a better workforce let me give you some more to think about. How about 6 Simple Things.

1. If the charitable giving you do is correlated to your overall brand message (which, of course it will be.hint.hint) it helps your employees to visualize, through real-life examples why we all come to work in the first place.
Your employees will know that you are really passionate about that brand message. They'll know that it means more to you than just a business model. You will become more, dare I say, endearing, and admirable. Your brand message will become stronger, more consistent, and better understood.

2. You will build relationships. One of the most valued experiences an employee has is personal time with the owner of his/her own company. This is especially true if it involves non-work related issues.

Think about it. How much do you know about your employees? Are their parents still alive? Do they have any siblings? If so, what are their names? Are they married? Do they have kids? You get the point.
The point is, the more you know your employees personally, the more they feel connected, and committed to working for you.

3. You will foster teamwork. It is no secret that sharing a common interest helps to form camaraderie. People that like the same things tend to like each other. Even in heated arguments, if commonalities are discovered, often the tension begins to dissipate.
In any organization with multiple functions there are built in barriers to teamwork. Cross function departments are often seen as rivals more than partners. Your employees can also benefit from forming new relationships with cross function department members.

4. You will develop leaders. One of the great benefits to charitable volunteerism is the opportunity for leadership development. Every charity needs committees; every committee needs a chairperson. Every chairperson needs help. This is a great way for you to let people shine.

Think of that recent college grad that you see as having great potential, but her co-workers see her as the timid rookie. You recall from her interview that she has some experience with charitable fund-raising. You encourage her to chair the committee for this year's charity event and she takes charge.

She is suddenly no longer the "timid rookie" in the eyes of her co-workers but an assertive, effective leader. She has gained self-esteem, confidence, and respect from others in a non-threatening way (without costing you a penny.)

5. Charitable Contributions give you an opportunity to reward anyone. In any organization, regardless of how much you struggle to avoid it, there are roles that are just near impossible to reward. How do you reward the part-timer who empties the garbage cans and cleans the bathrooms?

What about the new recruits? As they go through the work-force cycle as Motivated but non-productive employees it is critical to the "on-boarding process" to reward them quickly. For some key positions the time it takes to go from motivated/non-productive to motivated/competent can be months. This is when most new hires feel the most stress. They aren't contributing, they aren't succeeding, they don't "fit in" and they quit.

As soon as is able, get him/her involved with your charity. Use this as part of the ramp up. Explain how this charity is connected to your brand message and send them off to experience what it is that will drive his/her business.

Provide opportunities to demonstrate his/her skill and passion; ability to build relationships; to lead; and to follow. Reward him/her right away and make them feel a part of something special. After all, aren't they?

6. Make charitable giving an employee benefit. In addition to vacation days, allow and encourage your employees to take one day a month to actively participate as a volunteer for the charity of their choice. Allow them to present to their supervisor what skills they learned while volunteering that might help them develop as a person, as a leader, as a follower. If they can demonstrate personal growth, pay them for the day, and reward them the first chance you get.

The bottom line is this. Everyone knows the value of charitable contribution and commitment. The problem is Suzy needs braces, we're saving for a house, or we just had a baby, etc., etc. Life gets in the way.

By your commitment, you allow those employees to feel good about themselves due to their affiliation with you. Maybe they can't afford to give of their time or money at this point in their lives, but since you do, they can join in that glory by contributing through you. How many times have you heard someone proudly say, "We donated to that charity! Well, 'we/I' didn't but my company did."
Through charitable contributions you will build a better workforce and multiply the gratification you will receive for being allowed to contribute to the success of others.