Today, we will be hearing a lot about a Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This is an opportunity for businesses and individuals to give back to the community and make a positive impact. By participating in community service on this day, you can reap various business benefits and some personal ones as well.
One of the most apparent benefits is building a stronger relationship with your community. By working together to improve the community, businesses can create a sense of shared purpose and camaraderie that can foster stronger bonds between people. This can lead to increased brand recognition and customer loyalty.
Some hidden benefits include networking with other community leaders and perhaps discovering new skills, best practices, and tips that can help your agency grow and evolve.
If you are a storefront with employees, this is a time to literally wear your brand on your sleeve—or T-shirt or jacket. A local real estate office in my hometown adopts a non-profit to help, and they show up en masse and ALWAYS make the local paper. In past years, they have cleaned up properties, helped demolish a building, herded goats that were cleaning up overgrown shrubs, and worked with at-risk youth to improve their reading skills.
For the solo agency owner, the opportunities and benefits are the same. You can contact your municipality to see if they have a list of volunteer opportunities and jobs—most will. But no matter where you end up, wear an agency logo and be sure to bring business cards—you just never know!
As for me, I will head to a local museum that runs a school program taking at-risk youth out sailing on a classic wooden skipjack. While schools are out, there is nothing like the look on the faces of kids who are experiencing a new adventure. I became involved when I learned that despite living less than a mile from the Chesapeake Bay, many had never seen it. And it makes me feel good if I can make a slight difference. As to any business, I have realized from my efforts—not a lot, but a little.
And while any added exposure and business is always welcome, today, on this day of remembrance, the name of the game is making a difference.
What will you be doing?
