Do Good

Doing good seems like a good idea. I mean, it makes sense, right? You want to help the environment, children, a shelter, a cause, and you will, just once you get a bit of free time. But you are just so busy, between work, networking, family commitments, where do find the time? I know, just send a check. Well, y9ou ca check that off your list.

And that is exactly what many professionals do, send a check and their logo. Done and done.  Other professionals join local chambers, have a car or walk in a parade, join a charity (but never show up), so that they can say they are invested in the community that they are located in.  This is all well and good, and does help their business and the cause to a small degree.  But what would really make an impact not only on your business, but on the community projects or the local charities would be to actually get involved, I mean find the time to actually show up and be involved on a personal level.  The other people there will be more likely to form a favorable view of you and by extension your business, rather than seeing your business name and thinking that they have never actually met you.  You will reap the rewards personally by doing good works in your community and you will become a known individual for positive reasons. 

Most charitable organizations are desperate for volunteers, volunteers that actually show up and lend a hand.  As someone who ran a charitable organization, I can tell you finding volunteers who show up consistently are hard to find. Volunteers who deliver on their promises are even harder to find.  If an organization can find a volunteer who shows up, pitches in, delivers on donations and can get people to attend events you have literally found a unicorn in the charity word. So as a volunteer, if you can do half of those things you will be a valued member of any charitable organization. You as a professional will have a great reputation and your business will be top of mind for those involved in the charity.

Once you start volunteering, you will find that the personal satisfaction and business rewards will make it hard to stop.  You may even find that the relationships you build through volunteering are some of your most rewarding ones you have, so on many levels, doing good is a good thing.