Acts of kindness within the community and beyond can be helpful for small businesses that seek to build a strong brand and positive reputation.
Natalie Peace, a Forbes contributor, owned three Booster Juice businesses and, to promote them, began a campaign called 22 Days of Kindness. She wrote that while it may seem like a difficult and unworthy task – doling out resources for acts of kindness – promoting generosity through small business can be worthwhile.
Peace wrote that she paid staff members to spend their shifts doing random acts of kindness. These included washing windows for other businesses in the neighborhood and handing out flowers to strangers. The campaign went well for Peace, her staff, and her business. Her employees felt great about what they were doing, which led to a more productive and happier workforce.
In addition, the 22 Days of Kindness campaign afforded the Booster Juice businesses plenty of media coverage, according to Peace. Local news outlets all wanted to cover an uplifting and fun story, and Peace was glad to oblige. She estimated the coverage her stores received may have cost thousands of dollars through other marketing means.
How Other Businesses Can Make Kindness a Part of Their Culture
Other small businesses can easily find ways to contribute to their communities to receive similar coverage and increase foot traffic. A community bank can organize a day when financial tips are given to needy individuals, or a pet store can set up a monthly station where cats and dogs are groomed for free.
Making a small business more generous starts with the owner. Rene Lacerte, CEO of Bill.com, wrote on Inc. that he strives to be a role model. Remember that your employees won’t always be vocal about giving back unless you are as well. Lacerte wrote that while it sometimes may be difficult to open up about matters such as one’s generosity, it may be necessary to push employees to do the same.
This is important because a great way to promote small business generosity within the community is to provide employees with a forum to vocalize what they care about, Lacerte explained. One employee may want to volunteer at a homeless shelter, while another may consider organizing a food drive. For example, Lacerte’s company has an internal newsletter highlighting employee volunteer work.
Your small business can even take it a step further and ask that customers pledge to ask an act of kindness. Peace wrote that she and her employees did this at her Booster Juice stores to help promote the 22 Days of Kindness campaign. She wrote that people who signed the pledge enjoyed the challenge and told friends about it. This brought in new customers for Peace and her three businesses. Peace even started a website where customers could discuss the campaign and share acts of kindness they’d witnessed.
But, if you decide that your small business and employees could use a spell of generosity, ensure you are not forcing it on anyone. These acts need to be voluntary. He explained that the effort must come from within for small business philanthropy. Creating a foundation within the company culture based on kindness will lead to every interaction being tinged with generosity.
Help Your Business Out With First United Bank & Trust
First United Bank & Trust is here to help your business handle its finances so you can focus on gratitude and kindness in your company culture instead of stressing over your budget. Contact our team or find your nearest branch online to set up your account today!