Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM April 2020 | Page 22

SOMMER KIBBEE/BRIAN STOTTLEMYER
Vernon Graphics & Promotions
832-274-5245
www.myvernon.biz/brianstottlemyer
BRANDS That GIVE BACK
W
ould you be willing to pay a bit more if
you knew someone or something was
befitting from your purchase? Would
you choose to purchase a product
from a business that made regular
charitable contributions over one that did not? Would
you like to get your brand on a product that’s known
to be environmentally friendly? If you answered yes
to any of these, then you’re not alone. More than 50%
of us consider a brand’s social (responsibility) status
when making business, employment, and purchasing
decisions.
Business
Business to business relationships are stronger
when they share common principles. It’s easier to sell
a product when you stand behind it not only in quality
but in social responsibility. Brands that give back are
more likely to fly off shelves than those that don’t. It’s
the same concept as “Made in America”. People want to
purchase products that are good for our economy so
it’s important to communicate those brands and efforts;
don’t make your customers look for the good, show it to
them.
Promotional products are the perfect example of a
business to business relationship.
Careers
We’ve taught Millennials to recycle, be kind to the
earth, and be charitable; so it comes as no surprise that
as adults, they want to work for socially responsible
companies. They prefer to work for businesses that
participate in local humanitarian events, make regular
donations, sell environmentally responsible products,
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and give their employees the opportunity to actively
participate in altruistic events. We have instilled this
giving mindset in Millennials, so it’s imperative to lead
by example and give them the tools they need to be
successful as our future leaders.
Trying to attract new employees? Make your
social responsibility report available to the public. A
sustainable company sells itself to potential employees
and a social responsibility report can also be used as
a sales tool to help your account executives acquire
customer relationships. Remember, the only way to
provide annual content is to make annual efforts;
holding us accountable to DO GOOD all year.
Partnerships
We’ve all heard the definition of TEAM as “Together
Everyone Achieves More” and that holds true in just
about every aspect of life. Communities are brought
together through partnerships that are formed for
the “good” of a cause. For example, if an organization
decided to hold a benefit, and they needed some
logoed items, that would be an opportune time to
partner with that organization to provide items at cost
or as a donation. It’s likely that those companies that
participate will end up listed as sponsors on one thing
or another, building community partnerships.
Benefits and fundraisers are all around us so
partnering with other socially responsible companies
should be simple. Often times, larger corporations can
partner with smaller companies to achieve their common
charitable goals by using their larger footprint to spread
the word; businesses of all sizes CAN make a difference.
Purchases
We’ve all been asked if we would like to “round up”
at the register, right? Pay a bit more to feel good about
our gasoline or soda purchases? Purposely choose the
family meal deal just because $1 of every purchase is
donated to St. Jude’s even if we don’t want that extra
2-liter? Life is busy so if we can give back a bit by simply
purchasing a little something, shouldn’t we?
Brands that give back are all around us, making the
world a better place. Ask yourself, ask your customers,
ask your employer, what can I-YOU-WE-do to give back?
And…give back for the right reasons; because it feels
good and it’s the right thing to do. Good employees,
healthy business relationships, and an abundance of
sales will be an effortless by-product of your DO GOOD
deeds.