As part of our Relationship Management offerings, we help companies build connections and strengthen their community bonds. We also encourage them to share their stories — not to brag, but to encourage others to get involved. When you share your story of engaged employees, stronger relationships, and the incredible feeling of being a part of a community, you can help spread the spirit of giving.
Let’s face it… to say 2020 has been rough is quite the understatement! Business owners who are surviving may be tempted to quarantine their spirit of giving to protect their capital. This includes not making the needed investments to grow our human capital (our gifted workforce and our collective expertise), our structural capital (our systems, structures and processes), and our relational capital (our relationships with clients, partners, and suppliers, as well as our brand position, trademarks and reputations).
Maintaining a spirit of giving on the human and structural capital front for us means being transparent, maintaining open communication, rewarding team and individual contributions, investing in new benefits programs, and implementing new systems that enhance the work environment. Why? Because, as Richard Branson noted, “take care of your employees and they’ll take care of your business.”
Maintaining a spirit of giving on the relational capital front for us includes long-term commitments, such as being a member of the United Way of Gloucester County’s 365 Small Business Circle, supporting Rowan University’s internship program, and serving on the Creativity Collaboratory Charter School board, the Gloucester County Prayer Committee, the Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity Fundraising Committee, the Garden State Scouts Distinguished Citizens Award Committee, and Women Empowered’s Marketing Committee. Other outreach activities are seasonal, as in making a contribution to the South Jersey Dream Center’s Miss-A-Meal Fundraiser and joining our DDS Services colleagues in adopting an Emmanuel Cancer Foundation family to make the season merry and bright for seven children.
Sharing a spirit of giving also requires the right motivation. When I say “giving back is good business,” it comes with the understanding that “giving back to get back is bad for business.” The latter is not the spirit of giving that builds community connections, strengthens employee bonds, and supports a neighbor who can use a helping hand. Developing a giving spirit is good because it helps weave us into the fabric of our community. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it takes resources. And, yes, it’s a privilege. It’s giving yourself without expectations and trusting that doing good is a good investment — one that’s often beyond your ability to measure.
You see, it’s not just giving money or even giving time, though time is even more precious for many of us. It’s about giving yourself. That brings me to my ‘why’ for sharing our knowledge, experience, and resources with others. It’s found in Colossians 3:17. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” While we can’t possibly anticipate or see all the ways our contributions improve our world, giving is the best means for us to express our gratitude for our many blessings.
Wishing you all health and wholeness this giving season and throughout the New Year.
