Does your company have a community relation strategy? Have you even considered it? It is essential to have policies in place. Having run a small business for years which eventually turned into a multi-state franchise system, I realized early on that a business who is part of the community it serves can survive the ups and downs of the business cycles, making it somewhat recession proof. Nothing turns off the community more than a business which refuses to give back a little and gives some ridiculous excuse of; "It is our corporate policy, sorry!" Many times a volunteer for a club or organization will come in and ask for a hand out. Rather than giving them an excuse, talk with them about what you can do, have a policy which helps them too. Do not just tell them sorry; "No can do" offer them other assistance instead. For instance if they come in a are looking for a donation, you might say. We are not able to give a straight donation, but we are allowed to give you an item or two on the discount rack for a door prize or silent auction.
Your employees and managers of all your stores should have leeway to help you serve the community, which support your business. By having a policy up front and community relations over all strategy you can turn a potentially negative event, which will hurt you thru word of mouth into a bonanza of new discovered customers within that group. I have written an outline, which can assist you in promoting your community relations strategy. Now realize every business is different and ours is unique like yours. We are in the mobile car wash business and are able to do such things as car wash fundraisers and give out gift certificates for auto-detailing. But whatever business you are in you can easily develop a community relation manual by taking this outline below and modifying it and then writing three paragraphs for each item. This will give you an edge on your competition and help you align your business strategy with that of your community and insuring that you attain a larger and more loyal customer base.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
I. CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
A. Volunteer Support
B. Maintaining Lists
1. Change Yearly
2. Phone Numbers, Addresses
3. Share Lists
4. Networking With Lists
C. Carry Through
D. Remember Names
E. Environmental Groups
1. Maintain Communications
2. Volunteer
F. Attend A Meeting
II. SERVICE CLUBS
A. Rotary
B. Kiwanis
C. Optimist
D. Elks
E. Lions
F. Women's Groups
III. PTA'S, BOOSTER CLUBS
A. Community Relations Representatives At Schools
B. ASB Clubs
C. Student groups
D. Awards
E. Scholarship Funds
F. Fundraisers
G. Coupons, Etc.
IV. SENIOR CITIZENS
A. Discounts
B. Mobile Home Parks
C. Golf Courses
D. Square Dances
E. Senior Centers
V. SEARCH AND RESCUE
A. Fires, Locusts
B. Floods, Hurricanes, Tornadoes
C. Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis
D. Riots
E. Volunteer
F. Other
VI. WHEEL CHAIR WASHING DAY
VII. MISCELLANEOUS
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.worldthinktank.net/wttbbs
best cleaning company Lincolnshire ..Many mobile pressure-washing companies turn to government contacts to make... Read More
Congratulations, you are starting a small business! You are taking... Read More
Consistency is a huge word when operating your business. I... Read More
Due to the over regulation in the Franchising Industry and... Read More
Do you operate your business as a series of projects,... Read More
A Brilliant Marketing Idea... sounds great but what is it?... Read More
We visited Lexus USA, home of the Lexus North America... Read More
A corporate shell could be liken to a house that... Read More
Every company has business pain, but the pain does not... Read More
It's a commonly quoted statistic: 80% of all small businesses... Read More
Canon City, Colorado is known for it's 6 Prisons; State... Read More
If you're serious about wanting to start a business, the... Read More
I have to admit, I was curious. When I saw... Read More
Think of all of your business ideas as tiny seeds... Read More
Q: I'm curious. What is the dumbest business question you've... Read More
There are many choices when thinking about a small business... Read More
Seems as though there are a lot of business closings... Read More
Your business is making profits, but where is the cash?... Read More
To have one of the popular in home daycare businesses.... Read More
-- Building Credibility Through Success Stories --Successful solo entrepreneurs spend... Read More
So there I was ? sitting in the audience of... Read More
As I am preparing for my attendance to the CoachVille's... Read More
Business Process Automation or BPA for short. This was a... Read More
If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More
The way you manage your money is one of the... Read More
on demand house cleaning Lake Forest ..Most small businesses will not even try to advertise on... Read More
A thing worth doing is worth doing badly. Yes I... Read More
Remember the cleaning business is all about time ratio to... Read More
It seems so long ago that I started my first... Read More
In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined... Read More
When starting a business, you have to determine the method... Read More
One of the biggest excuses franchisees of home based and... Read More
Most businesses accept checks as form of payment for goods... Read More
Why are we over regulation the franchising industry, what purpose... Read More
As an Investment Representative you've worked hard to build trust... Read More
Where would a business be without a business plan? A... Read More
Your on-line success is based on your efforts and yours... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
More sales and more profit. Isn't that what you want... Read More
Just when the entire state was kissing Wichita goodbye, economically... Read More
Do you have a Business Plan? Congratulations, but you are... Read More
If you've been thinking about starting a business, but are... Read More
If you are a franchisee of a large franchise system;... Read More
At first blush this idea might be difficult to wrap... Read More
Congratulations, you are starting a small business! You are taking... Read More
If you're anything like me then you dislike with a... Read More
Many people ask how many graphs or charts they should... Read More
All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More
If you're serious about wanting to start a business, the... Read More
Looking for a place to add a Quick Lube away... Read More
Small Business |