April 12, 2022
"The business of business is business," said John D Rockefeller in 1892. That was a long time ago, but the sentiment still rings true today. Entrepreneurs are focused on building their businesses and making money—that's why they're entrepreneurs! But what happens when your company starts to take off?
Shouldn't you be focused on that instead? The answer is yes...and no. Yes because you should always be thinking about how to grow your company and keep up with demand; no because there's more to life than just making money and expanding your brand.
As I like to say: "It's not enough to just do good work; we also have a responsibility as entrepreneurs to give back." In this article, I'll explain why giving back can help your business grow while also making it easier for you (and me!) to sleep at night knowing we've done our part as citizens of the world...
Well-intended business owners often say they don't have the bandwidth to give back because their businesses are too demanding. But this view falls short on two fronts: First of all, there are plenty of ways for them to give back without spending money or going out of their way; second, doing so can actually benefit your bottom line more than you might imagine!
Giving back to the community is an important part of being an entrepreneur. It's something that we all want to do, but that doesn't mean we have to do it in traditional ways.
You can donate your time or money, volunteer at a non-profit organisation and help out with events or fundraisers. You can also sponsor a local team or even create your own non-profit organisation!
You may be thinking that philanthropy is not a priority for your startup, given all of the other things you need to focus on as an entrepreneur. But giving back isn't just about making the world a better place, it also has many benefits for entrepreneurs themselves:
Giving back is not always about money. There are plenty of ways to give back that don't cost you a dime, and they can be just as rewarding as donating thousands of dollars. Here are some ideas:
I love this quote from the late Steve Jobs (circa 2005): "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." I believe that with all my heart.
It's not just a fun thing to say or think about, it's actually an important thing to consider when building your business and making decisions every day.
The idea behind this quote is that we should do our very best in everything we do because we may not have many more opportunities left before our time on earth comes to an end. It can help us focus on our goals and make sure we don't waste any time doing things that don't matter or aren't important enough for us to spend time on them today instead of tomorrow (or next week).
Giving back is about helping others - and being able to say we gave something back when we leave this planet. It's not about getting anything in return...but luckily for us, it tends to work out that way anyway!
Giving back is not just about helping those who are less fortunate than yourself or your business; it can also include supporting other entrepreneurs and businesses in your community or industry. This can be done through sponsorships, donations or partnerships with nonprofits that align with your mission as well as providing pro bono services (like coaching) for local organisations like youth sports teams or community centres that provide programs for disadvantaged youth at risk of falling into crime/drug addiction etc.
There are many ways that entrepreneurs can give back without having to spend money or go out of their way.
As an entrepreneur, embracing philanthropy and social responsibility can have a profound impact on your business and the world at large. Our FAQ section delves into the importance of giving back and offers insights, tips, and strategies for integrating philanthropic and socially responsible initiatives into your entrepreneurial journey. Find answers to common questions and learn how to create a lasting, positive impact through your business endeavours.
While your business is the most important thing in the world, it's not the only thing in the world. You are a part of this community, and it is your responsibility to give back to that community.
The concept of social responsibility has been around since before there were businesses, it's just something that comes naturally when you're an active member of a society or community. But as an entrepreneur, it's even more important for you to take on this role because it helps strengthen relationships with other people who may be interested in working with or investing in your company down the line (or even right now).
Here are some ways that establishing yourself as someone who cares about others will benefit both them and yourself:
Philanthropy is the act of giving money, time, or other resources to help those in need, particularly by individuals, businesses, or foundations. The word philanthropy comes from the Greek words philein (to love) and anthropos (man). Philanthropy has been called "the noblest of virtues" with which it is associated. It was first defined by Sir Francis Bacon in 1623 as "the love of mankind; benevolence to others; goodwill."
In modern usage philanthropy often refers to an organisation or individual who funds initiatives for the public good.[citation needed] For example: Charity begins at home...
Social responsibility is an important part of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial mindset. It's easy to get caught up in all the things you have to do with your business, but it's just as important to think about ways that you can give back and make a difference in your community or industry.
Start small when it comes to social responsibility. Don't try and tackle everything at once (unless of course, this is something that aligns with your business goals). Instead, figure out what one thing could be done right now that would help someone else? Maybe it's donating some extra supplies from last month's sale or giving back some time by volunteering at an organisation close by, the options are endless!
Be creative when brainstorming how best utilise any excess resources while still keeping them accessible if/when needed again later down the road; this will provide added value beyond just handing over money which can sometimes feel impersonal anyway! Don't worry too much about what other people are doing either; everyone has different strengths so stick with what makes sense for YOU personally rather than trying too hard following someone else's lead without truly understanding why they made those decisions themselves first hand."
Philanthropy and social responsibility are two of the most important ways to build your brand and attract top talent.
So, how do you go about giving back? The most important thing is to do what you can. If you have the means and opportunity, then by all means give back in whatever way makes sense for your business. But if not, there are still plenty of ways to give back without spending money or going out of your way - especially if you're an entrepreneur who's struggling financially yourself!
