The mentality used to be that once your business was profitable you would use your profit to give back to the world in some way. Now, however, entrepreneurs are realizing that there is no need to wait to make a difference. They are solving some of the greatest problems we face by placing giving models directly into their business models. Within my company, we offer free swim lessons and water safety sessions in various communities to help those in need.
To learn some of the most innovative ways businesses today are giving back I interviewed five leading founders and CEOs. Read on to see their tips and learn how you can incorporate giving into your business model too.
Be Brave Enough To Revolutionize
I recently spoke with Simon Rowland, Founder of Direct Leap Technologies, a leader in providing communication tools designed to serve non-profits. Simon reflected, “If you are brave enough to pioneer a market for something that is worthwhile you will not only stand out, you will also have a much greater capacity to change the world.” Simon founded Direct Leap because he saw that charitable organizations and political campaigns were behind when it came to leveraging technologies that were common at large corporations. He decided to create a set of communication tools such as telephone platforms designed specifically for their needs, that would help them optimize their fundraising efforts. If you are bold and look for ways to transform how an entire industry operates, you can give back on a much larger scale and really make the greatest difference.
Empower Your Team To Give
My friend Brittany Hodak is the founder of Zinepak.com, an agency in the entertainment space that has created a program where every employee gets at least two paid days off per year in addition to regular vacation and benefits to volunteer at a community-based charity of his or her choice. It's totally up to the employee which cause to support. As Hodak says, “We've found the giving back days, as we call them, are a really nice way to connect with the community and for the founders to get a sense of what causes are important to each employee. This initiative doesn't cost us anything out of pocket and it's something our employees have really grown to love and embrace.” This tip is simple to incorporate into your own business model no matter what kind of company you've built.
Give To Your Audience
I follow the technology space closely and recently heard Damian Bradfield, president and founding shareholder of WeTransfer, share at a conference how at they give away 1 billion impressions annually to emerging artists and innovators because they use the WeTransfer product more than any other demographic. Bradfield shared that, “By giving back to this community they in turn have supported us more and more each year. We never ask for anything in return, which is what a true gift is and should be: unconditional.” We can all look to our own customers for ways to give back.
Get Creative
Jess Jacobs is a young actress and advocate who I spoke with recently about how she is using creativity to make a difference with her new female-led production company called Invisible Pictures. "Getting creative with how you give is key," said Jacobs. "Working in the entertainment industry, I am aware of what a powerful tool storytelling can be for change. I give back by sharing stories that change the world on camera and encourage viewers to give to the causes they are learning about. That is something any business can do, by including all different kinds of people in your company's media and by giving philanthropically to unique and unexpected causes and organizations as a corporation.” Jacobs is right. Deviating from the norm might be hard, but imagine the variety of customers you can incentivize when they see you being creative with how you are making a difference.
Give Locally Using Your Expertise
Giving can start right in your own neighborhood. I follow the blog of Mila Morgan, the leading Medical Microcurrent expert known not only for her celebrity following but also for how she gives back to those in the community. Morgan recently shared with me that, “Working in the medical field for more than two decades, I have witnessed how thousands of people in our local communities are in desperate need of care and support. So, when I founded my private practice I decided to help them by using what I know best: the medical profession. I provide complementary treatment and give free lectures at local community centers, offer free content on our blog about how people can stay healthy and I teach other providers how to care for those in need at no cost." As she says, “Giving, like a positive attitude, is contagious!” Even a small business can make a big difference. It’s easy to do if you offer the skills and training you know best.
While creating a giving model within your company might sound challenging at first, it’s actually easier than you think, and hopefully, the tips above will be helpful for you as you decide how you want to make a difference.
