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Now is the time to connect. Whether you’ve been separated from friends and family for the past year, have struggled to get your business off the ground, or been unable to do the things you want to do, now is a great time to get creative and reconnect with the community. Around you. The same is true in business.
Being part of a community is powerful. Not only is it essential for our mental health and well-being, but it is also a vital element of a thriving business. A sense of community is important between businesses and customers, and also between employers and employees.
With the following tips, you can start building a business that is not only a positive part of the community at large, but also fosters a positive community within the business itself.
1. Get involved locally
Even if you are a global or international business, or operate entirely online, you can still contribute in your local area. You are providing value and growth to the local population, albeit indirectly, so why not make an effort to connect with your community and get involved?
This could include donating to local causes, participating in fundraisers, offering internships or work experience for local students, giving pep talks or speeches at schools, and more.
There may also be some complementary local businesses you could collaborate with. You could make joint offers with them, for example, or joint advertisements. And if you have similar or crossed skill sets, perhaps you could join forces on particular projects.
Whether you’re building a community online or in person, reaching out to potential collaborators can reap real rewards.
2. Start from within
Building a community is not just about looking out at your larger environment. It’s also about looking ahead and reflecting on the community you’re building within your own business, big or small.
It may be helpful to consider your company’s values and mission in general, and how you can reflect them within your company culture.
For example, your values may include originality, innovation, and self-expression. Think about ways you could encourage these values among your workforce, like scheduling regular creative activities or outings for your team members, perhaps.
Another great way to create additional community within your company can be to attend events or training courses together. Perhaps you could start by researching the certifications or qualifications that are most valuable or relevant to your industry and then get started.
You and your workforce will not only build great team values and stronger connections, but you’ll also be more qualified.
3. Organize events
Of course, community is about bringing people together, and what better way to do that than by hosting events? Perhaps you could hold conferences, conventions, or networking events and set them up online, if necessary.
For example, during national lockdowns, many businesses or educational institutions around the world have moved their programs and services fully online.
Lectures, Q&As, and live-streamed tutorials are especially popular and can be hosted via websites or social media platforms. This can be a great way to connect with potential customers and customers who may be all over the world, as well as those who are more local but may have limited mobility.
Attending a wide variety of events, both online and in person, or even hosting them yourself, is a great way to build a strong and supportive community for your business. Not only will you give genuine value and knowledge to others, but you will receive the same in return.
4. Outsource to experts
Building a community starts within your business, branches out to your customers, and can also include those you subcontract to! Outsourcing important aspects of your business to experts is a great way to save time, make use of the skills of others, and grow your business organically.
Outsourcing to an expert may mean entrusting your blog to a professional writer with knowledge of search engine optimization, for example, maximizing your chances in bidding by hiring a professional bid writer, or seeking guidance on technical issues such as regulations. of GDPR, perhaps.
These are all examples of outsourcing crucial business facets to experts who may have years of valuable experience.
By outsourcing in this way, you can help the community by providing jobs and building a knowledgeable and experienced collective, while giving your business the best chance of success!