The world listens to successful people. People like Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Richard Branson, to name a few, are some of the most successful individuals in the United States. They have several things in common. One of the most interesting traits they share is they, as individuals, as well as within their companies, foster an environment the encourages giving back to the local and global communities. Not only do these individuals support their favorite causes and charitable organizations, but they encourage their employees to find something to support and they will then support it as well. In turn, these individuals have grown successful businesses and have, by all accounts, happy and productive work environments.
Giving Back and the Big Picture
The truth is, these people do not give back to be successful. They give back because they are grateful for their success and want to help people who are not as fortunate. On a smaller scale, your business can benefit from not only being grateful for its successes, but by helping others who need a hand up.
Developing a charitable business culture helps in several ways. First, you are thanking the universe for your success. It does not matter if you consider it simply good karma, a religious experience, or just part of the golden rule of doing unto others as you would have done unto yourself. Whatever you want to call it or how you approach it, you are showing your gratitude for your success by sharing your good fortune.
Another advantage to giving back to others is the positive publicity that comes along with charitable work. Fostering a charitable business culture leads people to want to work with you and your company. This type of publicity is not free, but it does not cost any money. Instead it costs time, a good heart, and participation in the charitable work.
Finally, you will attract like-minded talent to your company by getting involved in the community. This will help create a fun, productive work environment with like-minded individuals. Studies have shown that people who give to charity are more productive and all-around happier individuals.
Supporting Employee Efforts
In addition to supporting causes as a business, it is wonderful to support employees’ efforts to be charitable. Encouraging your employees to adopt their own causes can help create an environment in which people feel valued and think outside of the box. In turn, they will want to work harder because they feel valued as an employee and as an individual.
For example, it is great to encourage employees to participate in company-wide charitable causes, helping them get involved and get to know one another on a different level. However, it is also a good idea to support the causes in which your employees are involved. Offering something like an employer matching program or presenting the other causes to your employees to see who else wants to get involved and help will allow your employees see that they, as individuals, matter as much as they do as employees.
Fusion Employer Services practices what they preach. We have worked hard to support several organizations in the New Jersey community, such as Project Freedom, Community Options, and Corner House. To learn more about creating a charitable business environment, contact us today at 1-877-637-9175.
