PRINCE GEORGE – It has been said that companies who prioritize a triple bottom line far outperform those who don’t. How can a business be involved and benefit in social good, while also building their brand? It is a delicate and often frustrating balance for many businesses that are constantly approached by clubs, school groups, and sports teams with requests for employee time, financial or donor support in the form of product or services.
We often hear from our members that they feel guilty saying ‘no’ to some requests but that they also can’t give to everyone who asks. By overcommitting to their community, they risk jeopardizing the health of their business.
The reality is that many businesses do not have a plan for social good; a strategy and set of internal filters that help them align the ways they give with their strategic business goals. Developing a plan takes time and focus but, once in place, such a strategy can transform the effectiveness and stress of ‘business giving’. A plan can leave entrepreneurs and managers feeling more in control of the donation process and happy to give their resources to community causes that resonate with both their brand and also their hearts.
We are happy to provide the Prince George business community with some guidance on how to become more strategic in their attempts to create social good. This month we will host ‘Social Good for Business Impact’, a Speaker Series Luncheon with keynote speaker Shauna Harper from Live Work Communications. The event will take place at the Sandman Signature on June 7th from 11:30AM – 1PM.
Shauna Harper is recognized as a community builder and entrepreneur having won our Business Excellence Micro Business of the Year Award in 2015 and also Business Person of the Year in 2013. Her company, Live Work Communications, uses their expertise in video production, marketing strategy and group process facilitation to lead community building in Prince George (such as the recent Innovation Central Society’s Hubspace Community), throughout the province (BC Economic Forum in Vancouver and Nation2Nation Forum in Terrace), and nationally (Startup Canada movement).
Luncheon attendees will benefit from hearing the stories of Shauna’s experience and lessons learned around social cause, community building and business growth. By registering for this event, they will also learn why social good is important from a business perspective, how to get involved in social good whether they are an entrepreneur or a larger organization, and how to build strategy around this for their business while not diluting their brand.
Anyone interested in attending this luncheon event on June 7th may purchase tickets online at www.pgchamber.bc.ca or may contact our Chamber directly by phone: 250-562-2454. The ticket value for Chamber members is $26 per person and for future members is $36. This luncheon is generously sponsored by Integris Credit Union.
– Christie Ray is the CEO of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at christie.ray@pgchamber.bc.ca.
