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How can a small business start a ‘giving back’ program?

A small business may not have much flexibility in their budgets when it comes to volunteer work, but there are ways to make a meaningful contribution. Below are some suggested measures that can be considered.

  • Donate some of your products. Manufacturers of electrical wire can designate some organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity or Building Homes For Heroes, to help out. If there are local opportunities, you can also encourage employees to help. You don’t need to be a carpenter or electrician, so just about anyone could take part.
  • Partner with community institutions. Supporting an existing organization that is already serving the community makes volunteering simpler. There are many causes where employees can take part, from cleaning up a public space to bringing food to a local food bank or homeless shelter. An employee given even a half-day off to help out will appreciate the change of pace, and respect the commitment to giving back.
  • Match company expertise to needs. Tying in an industry core competency to the community can be a good approach. That could range from management serving as mentors to local businesses to HR employees hosting workshops on resume writing, practice interviews and job hunting. Individual employees often have interests that could lend to similar purposes.
  • Organize a volunteer program. The best way to get people to buy into a process is to ask for their advice. Employees could be asked to list what fields they would be willing to share their knowledge in. It could also be a special dedicated meeting where everyone could provide not just their possible contributions, but discuss what focus the community might most benefit by.
  • Pick a specific month. Setting a defined period during which the company will support given activities makes it easier for employees to see how they can best fit in. Outline some specific plans. Asking for suggestions, may result in strong employees response. Make sure to follow up on the results. Post it on social media so everyone can share in the positive results.

Manufacturers GIVING BACK

This is a sidebar from Wire Journal International's first-ever feature presenting 16 manufacturers that have given back to their communities: hundreds others could just as easily have been here. Each entry has a unique story, yet the common thread is the people—of all ranks—who care about their companies as well as their communities. Big volunteer efforts deserve applause, but so do smaller ones as they all head in the same direction. In a time when there is seldom a lack of daunting news, one can take pride in the industry spirit.

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Looking for other parts of this feature series?

Companies Featured:
Hitachi Cable America (now Proterial Cable America), Viakable, Acme Wire Products, High-Performance Conductors (HPC), Kris-Tech, Allied Wire, Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., Cerrowire, Belden, Fort Wayne Metals, Optimus Steel, Prysmian, Minnesota Wire, Southwire, Service Wire, Alloy Wire International
Bonus Content:
> Employer alert! Volunteers make for a better workforce.
> How can a small business start a ‘giving back’ program?

Read 500 times Last modified on December 22, 2022
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