Running a business takes a great deal of work, dedication and time. It can be easy to become consumed with the day-to-day activities required to keep your company afloat. However, an area that is often neglected when it comes to corporate priorities is community involvement. Failure to give back to the community you serve can be a missed opportunity of significant importance. In fact, your business can even gain quite a bit through giving back.

Build Network Connections

Getting involved with charities and volunteer efforts within your community is a great way to connect with other business owners or representatives who are doing the same. It’s likely you’ll encounter new contacts who could potentially contribute to your business in some way. Even if the new people you meet aren’t of any way significant to your industry, perhaps they will become customers or can refer you to a friend or associate who may be just the kind of network connection you’ve been needing.

Build Team Spirit

Encouraging your employees to get involved in giving back can have benefits you may never have considered. Working together outside of the office for a good cause lets co-workers get to know each other in ways that would never have been possible on-the-job. These good feelings and stronger connections can definitely spill over into the workplace, leading to a stronger team dynamic. Workers who feel connected to each other and the company are likely to be more productive and remain on the job longer.

Build Your Company’s Brand

When you volunteer for causes within your community, it’s smart to talk about the experience on your website, blog and social media accounts. Let potential customers know about the good you’re doing. People like to do business with company that give back. You may even be able to recruit folks to volunteer with you. In addition, you can sponsor community events, allowing you to sometimes receive signage with your company logo to be place on-site at the event or an acknowledgement of your business in the nonprofit’s newsletter. You’ll be doing good, all the while receiving positive publicity. That’s a win-win.

Community involvement has proven to be a successful venture for numerous companies like Palmco and ACCO, who contribute greatly to American the Childhood Cancer Organization. Find causes that resonate with you, and get involved!