ONE OF THE BUSINESS WORLD'S BEST KEPT SECRETS! (or Warm Hea
Image by Chatsam (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The desire that many business owners have...
There have been a few reminders for me recently about the desire that many business owners have to help others whilst providing for themselves and/or their families. The Social Bite team are making amazing progress in the fight against homelessness with their latest plans to create a village for homeless people and they’re successfully creating a buzz around their different ventures and their cause. Various other people are also running successful Social Enterprises with the aim of making a difference in the world either close to home or further afield. Even some traditional businesses seem to be taking an interest in how they can help disadvantaged people or the environment whether it’s sourcing their products from social enterprises or co-ops or donating some of their time or profits to others. It all warms the heart in this cold and frosty weather!
One of the business world's best kept secrets!
However, I do think that, perhaps with the exception of Social Bite and their celebrity endorsements, social enterprise, for example, is one of the business world’s best kept secrets! And it really shouldn’t be! Sure, the word is starting to spread and people setting up new businesses are often now being offered the social enterprise model as a possible route to creating their business but, are consumers really aware of what’s going on? Compared to the FairTrade movement, there’s still a bit of a way to go…
If you're meeting with a client...
So, what can I do? Well, maybe not house people who are homeless but I can help others to tell their stories, showcase their products or services and generally explain how they can help others and enrich their lives. We have to do some joined up thinking these days about how our actions, our businesses and our profits can be made good use of and work together to help overcome the harrowing times that many people are facing. Whether you’re massaging or caring for your clients, coaching people through their financial, health or business worries or creating amazingly beautiful products for people to enjoy – we can all support good causes and good enterprises. For example, if you’re meeting with a client you could use a social enterprise café as a venue or consider sourcing your materials or supplies from co-ops.
It's important to say it...
I know that I’m very likely preaching to the converted and I’m certainly not the first or the last person to point this out but, I still think it’s important to say it – doing business doesn’t have to be ruthless, cut throat and all about the money! No, we can run businesses which are helpful, caring and giving and not just in the run up to Christmas but all year round. We can be kind to others not just in our private lives but in our business lives too.
If you’re already helping people, or the environment, in any way then do think about letting the world know! Don’t keep it a secret! Clients and consumers love to know about these things – it helps them to feel good about their spend and hopefully, in turn, encourages them to consider how they can then help people in some way. And you know what? A video can help you to spread the word and to show people on a global market just what you’re doing and how! We can all make a difference.
Whether you want to make your own video or have it produced for you, Julie Neilson Media can help you to harness the power of video. So, get in touch and visualise YOUR business!
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