First things first, what is a community? The basic definition puts it as a “group of people living in the same place or sharing a common characteristic.” But we all know that it’s more than people happening to live near each other.
A community is a complex social unit with unique needs and characteristics. The people within that community all have something in common, whether it’s location, customs, or values. But each person is also an individual, a unique puzzle piece in a larger picture. So, what’s your place in the picture?
Helping Each Other
One of the mainstays of an effective community is a spirit that revolves around helping each other. People within the community share some of the same concerns, and part of the purpose of the community is to allow everyone to support one another. No matter who you are, you can’t take on everything yourself.
A community is a safety net and a support system all at once, and everyone can benefit. If you’re an individual, then you have a place to get your feelings heard and, hopefully, make a difference.
However, many businesses can also be part of the community. This may seem like a cynical option at first. After all, being involved in the community could easily be a marketing ploy. The company doesn’t really care, they just want more customers.
Businesses in the Community
If you’re a business owner, then you likely recognize the marketing options that community schemes offer. But it is more than that. By investing in your community, then a business owner also invests in their business and themselves. There are plenty of reasons for a business to be more involved in the community, and not all of them are simply to find opportunities to make more sales.
The fact of the matter is that, while businesses and corporations aren’t people, they are made up of people. A business owner is a person, as are any employees and shareholders and everyone else involved in the business.
By keeping your business involved in the community, then you emphasize this human connection with your peers. You can use the chance to network with other businesses and to support each other, working on projects together or opening up new avenues for your company and for your customers.
More than that, you’re able to show people that you care and that you want to improve things, not just for yourself, but for other people. Fostering a healthy community is good business sense, but it’s also just a good thing to get involved in. By investing in the future of your community, you can be a part of what’s known as social enterprises. Leigh Morgan goes into more detail about this, discussing how sustainable business operations impact the future of your community and even the planet as a whole. Business owners should be more focused on being involved in schemes that improve the community, as it’s linked to the success of businesses and people alike.
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