Social Engagement Ideas for Professional Service Firms

Without a doubt, corporate social engagement has grown into one of the hottest topics over the last decade in the business world and society. Consumers care about it, so businesses have no choice but to follow suit. Integrating professional service engagement ideas into corporate strategies can not only boost a company’s reputation but also create meaningful connections with the community, showing genuine commitment to societal growth.

Sadly, there still are a lot of companies that look at their responsibility towards society as another annoying side of the business they have to pay for. Their efforts in the social domain usually become fragmented, lack strategy, and remain downright superficial. Their efforts are more often than not a waste of time and resources as they have little to no impact over the long run. Such businesses do nothing but just tick the CSR box.

At the same time, however, the number of entrepreneurs who genuinely want to contribute is growing. Whether it is a natural urge among people following years of consumerism and focus on capitalism or it is generational, it is a fact.

Being a business mentor and philanthropy endeavors consultant, I often meet business owners who are as concerned about growing their business as they are about leaving a legacy and making a difference that goes beyond writing the odd cheque to a non-profit organisation.

I find that many entrepreneurs, and especially professional firms and service providers, struggle as to how to approach philanthropy so their effort is sustainable but also optimal in the impact they make.

If you are a professional service firm and you find yourself in the same situation, here are a few ideas for you.

Work for free

As I’ve said before – when it comes to making a difference money is not everything. A lot of professional service providers especially the smaller ones underestimate what they can offer. Your knowledge and what you do for your clients in terms of expertise is among your biggest assets. Many underprivileged groups out there that need your services but mightn’t be able to afford them. Non-profits dedicated to a cause you support, social entrepreneurs, or young people from poor communities may greatly appreciate your help.

Give time   

Lending a hand can go a long way. However, unlike many of the larger businesses out there, don’t just volunteer for the sake of it. Select carefully the organisations you give your time to in terms of what they do. Your efforts need to tie in with your organisation’s scope of social purpose. If you were a property estate agency focused on helping homeless people, you might partner with a non-profit. For example, you could work with an organization that provides free meals or clothes to the homeless.

You could dedicate Friday afternoons to handing out meals or collecting old clothes for the homeless. Focus on tasks like distributing donations or managing supplies. Support this group by assisting with any other needed activities. IBM offers its employees a unique opportunity to address critical community issues in emerging economies. This program allows participants to contribute for an entire month.

You don’t need to do anything on such a large scale but every effort counts. Imagine if every business was doing their part in helping just their local community!

Share knowledge & expertise

Another way to help is to pass down your knowledge and skills. If you were a solicitor focused on education as your social impact domain, you could collaborate with organizations that offer free courses. These courses could support people in underserved communities, orphans, or homeless individuals working to rebuild their lives.

Deloitte, a leading management consulting firm, engages in extensive skills-based volunteering annually. This initiative allows employees to apply their expertise to support non-profit organisations.

And if you can’t find a non-profit organisation in your area that is suitable, why not start an initiative yourself? You could teach business skills or even knowledge and skills in your professional domain. Put some time into organising it and dedicate a couple of hours to that every week. Apart from being a great cause for obvious reasons, sharing your expertise through offering free courses is also good for your reputation as a professional in your field.

There are various ways to get involved and contribute to the greater good. And whether you do it independently or you partner with an organisation, what is essential is that your activities tie in with a well-rounded strategy of social purpose and mission and that you are consistent in what you do. What many companies still fail to understand is that random efforts here and there don’t make an impact. Your first job is to identify a cause (i.e. healthcare) or target group (children) that you feel passionate about. And preferably these need to be somehow related to what you do as an organisation. Then you need to figure out what the best way is for you to help by giving your resources and the expertise you have.

If you are also looking for ways to make a difference and don’t know where to start, please don’t hesitate to contact me. As a business coach specialising in philanthropy and corporate social engagement, I would be happy to talk to you and help you integrate a social mission into your business in a meaningful way.