Growing a “Do Gooder” Culture: Where Does Your Company Fall on the Spectrum

Credit: From a presentation at SchipulCon by Courtney Siegfried of the  20K Group Chris Vadez, Primer Grey

 

The benefits of cultivating a “Do Gooder” culture for a business are huge but you can boil them down into two basic principles:

 

• A Business Boost
• The Happiness Quotient

 

A Business Boost

 

It’s Good for Business, it is a great way to differentiate your brand, it is a wonderful recruiting tool for young talent and is also great for reputation management. There have been a number of studies showing that people are responsive to purchasing from bands that they see as being socially responsible.

 

Happiness Quotient

 

Implementing a cause focus (be it a formal Corporate Social Responsibility program or cause marketing) for your company also will pay dividends with employees. Companies with programs have better recruiting

 

You Cultivate the Next Generation of Happy Employees. Generation Y feels more personally responsible for making a difference in the world with 61% of 13 year olds feel personally responsible for making a difference in the world.

 

 

5 ways to spot a do gooder

So that said,w what are the qualities of a “do gooding” company. I loved this list of 5 things that Courtney Siegfried and Chris Vadez mentioned in their presentation.

 

1. Transparency (financial, public tax records and charity navigator, 95% on mission, look at the board list, ask around town)
2. Openness to change and Improvement
3. Conscientiousness
4. High standards for social engagement
5. Happy employees

 

5 Ways to Grow a Do Gooder Culture

 

Here is how Siegfried and Vadez say you should grow your “Do Gooding” culture.

• Lead by example
• Make social responsibility an core value
• ID and expand your spheres of influence
• Make room for individual passion projects
• Hire the right people

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