Q: What’s the best way to get your team involved in the holiday spirit? A: Make corporate giving a team effort. So often, companies that do give, do so without much fanfare internally. Even worse, they do so without involving their team. The CEO or other person decides who to give to, writes a check, and it’s done with. Rinse and repeat next year.
But the better way to do it is to involve your team. Get them excited about what the company is doing to support the community, help the needy, and in the process, spread the word about the company. (Yes, community involvement can be a marketing strategy…and no, that isn’t evil).
Top 5 benefits to involving your team in giving
1. They buy-in to the giving
When they are a part of choosing the recipients, everyone rallies around the cause.
2. Teamwork increases
When office teammates work together outside of work, it provides a unique bonding experience. Their teamwork skills will improve as a result.
3. New leaders shine
One thing I’ve found from doing this is that new leaders emerge. Because the giving or community project isn’t “official” company business, hidden leaders feel more empowered to lead. The same is true with planning office parties. I’ve seen countless people come out of their shells and not only show me they could lead, but show others as well. It changes things in dramatic ways.
4. Everyone feels happier
Giving is fun. When your team works together to give money or time, the levels of joy in the office will increase and that is always a good thing. The stress levels will lower and productivity will increase.
5. Increased loyalty to the company and each other
When people see the generosity of the company, they are more loyal to the company. When they see the generosity of each other, they are more loyal to each other. It is that simple.
Those are just some of the benefits. What others can you think of? Share in the comments below.
Top 5 ways to get your team involved in giving
1. Let them pick a charity or charities of the year
Start early in the year and the effect is longer lasting and more positive. Let each team member suggest one or two charities at the beginning of the year and then vote on which ones to support.
2. Give them time off to volunteer
Dave Ramsey’s company gives an entire week off each year for a mission. You don’t have to give an entire week off. Maybe it’s an afternoon. But encourage your team to get involved in the community by giving them time off to do so.
3. Match donations or time
One of the best ways to get your team involved is to match their financial donations up to a certain amount. For every $1 they donate to a chosen charity, you match it. The same goes for time. In addition to that afternoon off in #2, allow your team to take an additional two to four days off per year and pay for half their time. In other words, half their time is their own and half is on you. Or, even better, make a donation in their name for their wages during their volunteer time.
4. Keep reminders around the office
If you’re doing a shoe drive, put the bin at the front door. If you’re sponsoring a village in Africa, put their pictures up everywhere. If you are supporting a children’s hospital, make sure the thank you letters are everywhere.
5. Make it fun
Make team t-shirts, share success stories, and keep it fun. If you’re sponsoring a local baseball team, go cheer them on. Invite your people to cheer on the team, invite their kids, and pay for their peanuts and cracker jacks. Do whatever you can to go beyond just a donation and a picture of the team on the wall.
There are countless ways to involve your team, but those are my favorite.
And…they apply to families as well.
What are your favorite ways to involve others in giving? And what benefits do teams get from it?
Questions?
Text me anytime at (260) 217-4619.
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Giving is something my wife and I are very intentional about teaching our kids. This is a great list and you hit it right on the head this can and should be used with your family as well! Great post Matt. Merry Christmas to you and yours:)
That is great to hear Zech. You have to teach them in both word and deed. This is just a primer. The real fun happens when companies and families get creative 🙂
Terrific ideas, Matt, and so true. The benefits of creating a giving culture are incalculable.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Katherine 🙂
Love these ideas Matt! I would love to implement some of these! I think as a leader you have so many more ways to give and serve, we’ve realize that and think that way! Thanks Matt!
Hopefully you can implement them someday soon!
On Wednesday, I helped fill an SUV with gifts from our employees to a local youth organization. We’ve been doing this for the past 3 years. Each year, it gets a little bigger. Soon we will need a tractor trailer to collect the gifts!
That is so awesome Jon! What a great thing to be a part of!
Hello Matt,
What great ways to unite a team together. I’d add team volunteering (Besides just individual volunteering), were a group or entire team all volunteer at the same place at the same time. If everyone (from the bottom-up) serves together, it will connect each person together for a common purpose.
This site is super. I’ve been looking for information on Team Effort. Your site will be bookmarked for future reference.
Cicero,
Welcome to the site! I can tell you that bookmarking it is a fantastic idea! (actually, i’d just sign up for Matt’s newsletter and get his free ebook at the same time!). You’ll find that you’ll get all sorts of leadership and business advice on here that will be priceless to you!
I hope you’ll come back and join us again!