Most business owners have seemingly endless to-do lists, and only so many hours in the day. Combining key tasks is ideal, but often elusive. Well, I’ve got some good news: There are ways for your business to combine the important functions of teambuilding and corporate responsibility, effectively killing two birds with one stone.
See, there are any number of ways to improve team dynamics—team training, bonding activities, and basic workplace collaboration. You can also do it by setting aside some time for your team members to work together on volunteerism, perhaps in service of a non-profit group your business supports.
Some general tips for doing so:
- Provide your team members with some actual time off to invest in non-profit stuff. Don’t make them do it during their precious evening and weekend time, at least not always. Even devoting four hours on a Friday afternoon to serving at a soup kitchen or putting together gift boxes for military families shows your company is committed.
- Delegate responsibilities within your non-profit initiatives. Don’t feel like you have to take the lead on everything. If you have one employee who is especially passionate about social responsibility, involve him or her in the decision-making process, and provide some opportunities for real service.
- Don’t underestimate the value of education. Maybe your company’s cause is breast cancer awareness. Get your team together some morning for an informative seminar, video, or Q&A with someone from a local cancer center. Build knowledge, as well as action.
- Give your team members some time and space to talk about the social initiatives that are meaningful to them, and to brainstorm some ways they could lead the company’s philanthropic outreach. Give them a sense of ownership.
Teambuilding and philanthropy are both important to fleshing out your company culture—and the way I see it, there’s no reason the two things can’t be done in unison.