The Business Case
Today’s economic climate is highly competitive. There is a growing recognition by businesses that how they interact with communities, and relate to social issues, can have a direct effect on their success. This relies on, in part, to community goodwill and interest as consumers and stockholders.
What businesses want
Small to medium sized enterprises
Testimonials
Links
BacLinks has discovered that businesses:
- Are interested in being socially responsible
- Are eager to move away from a cheque-book mentality
- Do not have the time, or in some cases the resources or information required to run an effective workplace volunteer program
- Are interested in finding innovative ways to support their community
Small to medium sized enterprises can get involved too!
Connecting with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is essential as it is believed that 90% of Australian businesses fit into this category. 1 Many of these already quietly support local community groups and causes. This support is often given as, or perceived as, an individual contribution, even by the small business owner themselves, rather than being associated with or credited to a business. This means these businesses can miss out on valuable promotional opportunities.
Small to medium sized enterprises can be involved in successful and mutually beneficial business-community partnerships. Although they may not have the capacity to participate in employee volunteering, SMEs often can contribute with other forms of in-kind support such as the donation of goods, professional services and resources. This contribution could be as small as a can of paint or some ‘no longer needed’ office equipment. This can provide an important component inside larger projects along with contributions from other businesses, or they can stand alone.
Resource
1. Ethical Investor, 2005, Issue 50
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Read what businesses and employees report of their experiences with participation in community-based projects
Business Testimonials
Employee Volunteer Testimonials
Business Testimonials
“BacLinks offers a variety of volunteering opportunities. This means we can offer interesting 'volunteer' options to our employees which in turn helps us contribute to our local community in meaningful ways”,
Judy Hase, Alcoa Community Projects Officer
“I thought this was something a little bit different. Not just asking for cash but looking for other ways that people like me could offer help. It’s a great way for a micro business to be involved”.
Brennan Ryan, Director, Black Dog Promotions
“BacLinks saved me a lot of time, money and stress…Workplace volunteering is great for team building and it promotes Suncorp as a caring, giving corporation”.
Evelyn Roussis, Suncorp
“We didn’t realise that something so small could mean so much”.
Helen Stevens, National Australia Bank
“Organising projects, especially between a number of businesses and community groups can be very difficult and can often end up being a logistical nightmare. BacLinks provided the perfect platform for coordinating businesses with community projects…everything was ready and in place, which allowed us to complete our community service without any complications”
Ford Motor Company Representative
“I was going to take a lot of it (office furniture) to the tip…and I had no idea what to do with the rest. BacLinks made it easy by organising and coordinating the distribution. I hadn’t realised the enormous benefit that a contribution like this could make”,
Ray Colenso, Accountant
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Employee volunteers
"Volunteering with the group from Encompass was a great experience. We really did have a lot of fun as well as accomplishing a transformation of tired, run down grounds. It was very satisfying to see the difference we had made, and our hosts thanked us for giving them such a boost. We accomplished in one day work they would need years to do. It is awesome that a group of people can offer so little, really, that is worth so much to others. And be paid to do it. I gained a greater sense of Suncorp's place in the community and my own place within Suncorp".
Sue Clark, Suncorp
"Doing volunteer works makes a person aware of the need out there for companies to get involved and the pleasure you receive from joining these activities.”
Judy Trotter, ANZ Senior Sales Consultant
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Links...
Business Case Studies