Giving Back

Ninety-one percent of small-business owners contributed to their communities in the last year through volunteering, in-kind contributions and/or direct donations, according to a national small business poll by the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation.
 
While donations definitely help the organizations businesses support, many company owners find that volunteering their time proves to be a better experience. Volunteering can good for you and your business – as long as it is the right fit.

VOLUNTEERING TIPS. Though giving back is a business practice many company owners choose to adopt, volunteers unfortunately sometimes wind up dreading the chore rather than finding it to be a rewarding and motivational experience. As such, if you want to volunteer, you need to do your homework to avoid disappointment. Here are some tips on what you should look for before devoting your time and energy to a volunteer position.
 
1. How will your time be spent? It’s highly unlikely you would blindly accept a job without getting some facts. Find out all you can about the organization before you commit to volunteering for them. What are the organization’s objectives? What goals have been reached? Who is the organization helping? Talk to the people who run the organization to find out what services they expect you to perform and how often. Are these services you want to perform? In addition, talk to other volunteers to find out if they actually enjoying volunteering for the organization.
 
2. How does it benefit you? Be honest with yourself about your goals. If you are volunteering in part to gain exposure for your company, make sure that you do. If your motives are more personal, you should still ensure that you feel fulfilled in your service.
 
3. Do what you love. Although you may be an excellent number cruncher, you may not want to spend your time volunteering as an unpaid accountant. As a volunteer, you may decide that human contact is more important then sitting behind a desk. The key is to volunteer doing something you love to do. It is not important that you use your skills from your business as a volunteer. Also, don’t feel guilty if someone tries to peg-hole you into specific spots. A volunteer assignment is not a paying job, so remember to do what you love or have always had a desire to do.
 
4. It’s okay to say, ‘No.’ Many times the staff at a nonprofit will see a good volunteer and ask for more service than the volunteer was originally willing to give. It is important to learn to say, “No, I can’t do that.” If you don’t learn to say “No,” more jobs will be piled upon you. Instead of volunteering five hours a week, you may suddenly find yourself at the nonprofit organization 12 hours a week. That extra time might considerably cut into time for yourself, your family or your business. In the end, you will wind up hating volunteering because it has become a weekly obligation that needs to be met rather than something you look forward to.
 
5. Don’t expect miracles. In the nonprofit world, remember not to expect miracles. Progress may be very slow. If you had on your business hat, you know things would be different. Be patient. Remember to keep in mind that you are not the director of this organization and a little slow progress is better than none.

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING. Volunteering for seasonal events where you help serve food to the homeless on Thanksgiving Day or visit a children’s hospital in December to help distribute toys are valuable experiences, but you’ll get more out of volunteering if you make it a regular part of your life. From spending time with underprivileged youth to caring for animals in a shelter to delivering meals to the elderly, there are countless opportunities to make a difference in your community.
 
Not only will you benefit from the positive experience of helping others, but your business will, too. Consider the following ways that volunteering can give your business a boost. 

• Experience working with many different types of people. When you volunteer, you will meet people from all walks of life and learn to work cooperatively with people holding views that can be quite different from your own. You’ll also learn to relate to people in new ways, which can only help your managing skills and customer relations.
• A network of contacts. Through your volunteering work, you will meet other community leaders and business owners you might not have come into contact with otherwise.
• Leadership skills. If you volunteer on a regular basis, you’ll probably be put in charge of various projects. As you manage people other than your employees, you might gain a fresh perspective on your leadership role as a boss and business owner.
• Recognition and publicity. Many people who volunteer receive awards for their work. Most often, they also receive free publicity because the award was presented at an event and covered by the local media. When they mention you, they’ll mention your business, too.
• New customers. People like to support those who do good for others. Don’t be surprised if you find your fellow volunteers – as well as their friends and families – frequenting your business.

This article was reprinted with the permission of the National Federation of Independent Business, a Washington, D.C.-based organization representing small and independent businesses across the United States. NFIB was recently ranked the most influential business organization and third overall in “Washington’s Power 25” survey conducted by Fortune magazine. Check them out on the Internet at www.nfib.com.