18/11/2021
A TIME TO GIVE
It’s that time of the year again where all advertisements are on sales and giveaways. We are a few days to Christmas and to many people this is a season for celebrations and gifts.
This year has not been an easy one for many businesses. Hence, planning a celebration is not as easy as it used to be in these trying times. Yet, being a business that gives back to the community is still very important especially now more than ever.
Giving is part of relationship building. For a business, having a community that supports you is important especially in the current context. But what’s the best way to express your gratitude? There are plenty of ways you can do some good this season, I like to start from the inside out.
1. Employee appreciation
As the old adage goes charity begins from home. This is the right time to appreciate your employees. It doesn’t have to be the biggest party outside town it could be a small dinner at their favorite restaurant, where they all go on that Friday when they receive their pay. Or a lunch in the office if you have space where you can all sit and have a meal, laughter and an exchange of gifts.
If you performed well this could be a good time to give bonuses no matter how small they may be and appreciate high performers as well as encourage the whole team.
This would also be a good platform to address the challenges the company is facing and give a hint to next year’s strategy.
Stick to the good parts of the year and name the good things that the team has accomplished through difficulty even if it is maintaining one client or just staying afloat. This is not a time to announce the layoffs that will be coming in the next year. Encourage good work and feedback.
Ensure participation from your staff especially if it is a small team let them decide how they want their party to be as long as you tell them that you are on a budget, you will be surprised by how good they are at organizing something that excites them.
Secret Santa is a good way to ensure team participation and to ensure that everyone goes home with a gift.
2. Employee Volunteering
For many businesses their clients are also shutting down and therefore staff have time to mentor and volunteer in charities or events of their choice that appeal to their interests. They could volunteer physically where you would give them time to participate in the events of their choice or they could give a contribution that the company could match it up as a means of encouragement.
3. Donating to Charity
This is the best season to donate to charities. Is there a children’s home near your business? a school in need or a community that needs cleaning? This could be an opportunity for your employees to participate in community initiatives or for the organisations to give financially to these causes. You can give the products you sell or the services you offer. For example, if you are a salon you can offer to beautify and do make up for children with cancer, or at a children’s home. Ask your team to help you nominate a charity, or choose a cause linked to your business. A charity is also a good PR activity for the business.
4. Participate in charity events
You may be willing to do a charity event but your budget may be very limited. Do not fret. If you look around you will find that other stakeholders and partners are hosting an event that your business can participate in. normally the big events usually have better organized PR and you may reap good publicity from being a sponsor or a contributor.
5. Gifting stakeholders
Every business is raised by its different stakeholders, they vary from direct customers, suppliers who ensure that your business is running even when you can’t raise capital, friends who are your business ambassadors, partners, mentors and many others in your community who keep you going. A little token of appreciation goes a long way to show how you value their participation in your business. It doesn’t have to be something too big a handwritten physical card or personalized e-card could be well accepted.
Christmas giving should not be something that will break your bank, it should not be an HR event or a rift for the finance department. It can be a satisfactory event that can bring people around your business together and ensure they end the year well.
End.
