Today, I had the privilege of attending the Escondido
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant celebration. The grant funds were given to Palomar College for the EMT training program, which allowed them to purchase a SIMBaby Manikin. The manikin comes with a hefty price tag of $28,708.00. If you see this hiDEF manikin in action, you will understand why. These life-like "dolls" simulate over 1000 responses, which allow the EMTs to practice caring for infants before they are called into action in the field, which increases the odds of an infant surviving a medical emergency.
Firehouse Subs is just one example of a business that understands community engagement and the importance of supporting a cause. If you are considering incorporating community engagement into your business model, here are some tips for you:
The Benefits of Community Engagement for Your Business
- To retain the talent pool. There needs to be a deeper sense of purpose. Having a sense of self-worth while performing a job is a much stronger motivator for many in today's workforce.
- A happy and healthy workforce will produce a higher quality of performance. One way to motivate, inspire, and validate the workforce is by developing a community engagement program.
The Power of Giving Back: How Community Involvement Can Boost Your Bottom Line
According to a May 2013 study by Cone Communications and Echo Research, 82 percent of U.S. consumers consider corporate social responsibility (CSR) when deciding which products or services to buy and where to shop.
Here are a few things to consider when incorporating community service into your business plan:
- Build relationships within your community. Look at your community to see what's important. Are the schools struggling? Does the animal shelter need donations?
- Get your employees on board. Giving employees an avenue to give back is important to morale and builds a collaborative and inspired team. Volunteering also provides leadership opportunities for employees, which leads to increased staff performance and fulfillment.
- Create a custom volunteer plan. Select volunteer activities that draw upon your employees' strengths. For example, if you own an accounting firm, you could volunteer to help a nonprofit set up their accounting practices or do their taxes.
By the way, the funds raised by Firehouse Subs is due to the generosity of its patrons. It is amazing to see how the nickels and dimes add up to thousands of dollars, which will have a direct impact on public safety in our community.
Sincerely,
