Business Development Through Philantrophy

As Seen in Small Business Advisor

December, 2001 Issue

There are countless books, tapes and seminars available on how to improve the performance of your business by developing your employees. While I imagine that many of these are worthwhile, there is an alternative that you should consider - getting involved in the community.

From a business owner's perspective, getting involved in the community provides benefits such as practical continuing education, networking opportunities and the development of a strong sense of satisfaction.

My own experiences from serving on boards and committees, both locally and internationally, have allowed me to glean a host of best practices that I can then utilize in my own companies.

Numerous parallels exist between the philanthropic arena and the for profit world. The experience and lessons learned through instituting fundraising activities will carry over to your company's sales efforts. The financial scrutiny which many not-for-profits are under will allow you to examine more closely and concisely the financial records of your own company. Finally, the observations you make on how to manage and successfully operate a philanthropic organization will inevitably provide you with the means to improve business operations.

Certainly, community involvement will help to expand your network and ultimately, it may even increase your opportunities for new business. It has also been my own personal experience that working within the community has allowed me to develop a network of trusted advisors and vendors to whom I can turn to in times of need. Whether the problem is with a customer, another vendor or even within my organization, the view provided from an outsider's perspective has proven to be invaluable.

By no means should you limit your involvement only to yourself. Rather, you should also encourage your employees to become involved. Each of the benefits previously cited will apply to your employees, although admittedly to a different degree depending upon their level of involvement. Regardless of how they participate, one thing is certain - those employees will become better team members through the development of their own personal skill sets.

Employees that become involved have an opportunity to come in contact with many different people and challenges. It becomes necessary for them to work with others to reach consensus and to realize the goals of an organization. They will be required to work with individuals of different backgrounds, experiences and perceptions (Does this sound like your business?). Each contact will provide them with ongoing educational opportunities as they enhance their communication and collaborative skills. Ultimately, the skills and practices that are developed will spill over into the workplace.

As a business owner, you set an example for your employees and the community. Your involvement and dedication will be contagious to others. Employees will take note of the experience and lessons gained through your involvement. These same employees will want to reap similar rewards. It goes without saying that others in the community who observe your commitment will inevitably associate a similar level of drive and enthusiasm with your employees.

In the final analysis, philanthropic involvement is really about making a positive difference in the lives of others and building our communities into better places to live. The involvement of you and your employees within the community will unquestionably improve Kansas City and your business. If you ask, "how can I or my employees afford to be involved", I would respond, "how can you afford not to be?"

Shane Jones is CEO/President of the Astra Group and Ace Personnel. Additionally, he has started his own not-for-profit organization, the Alliance of Community Educators.