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Business is in itself competitive and unforgiving. And it is very easy to drive your company so hard against competitors and legislation that you overlook important factors, such as the community, the environment and your responsibility to set a good example.

It is also difficult, as a small organization with tight margins, to look at ways that you can socially interact with the society you serve. It is OK for the bigger fish to offer scholarships, community building operations, medical research funding, and sponsorship deals. But what about the man with 3 employees, and a strict bank manager?

1 - RECYCLE: This is a relatively easy task. Simply analyze all of your waste streams and then segregate your waste into recycle bins. This can be hard work to instigate, but will be low cost and very socially responsible; it is also relatively simple to maintain. Make sure that you advertise the fact that you recycle 100% of recoverable materials in your workplace. You will be surprised home many greens are among us.

2 - CONTRIBUTE TO CHARITIES: This can be a difficult task without vast amounts of money. Yet, as a businessman(woman), you have the necessary contacts throughout the business environment, to make a fine spokesperson - or figurehead - for a charity organization or any good cause. This is guaranteed to give you attention, whilst showing you as a socially conscious, responsible organization.

3 - WORK EXPERIENCE: It is likely that your local school(s) will run work experience networks, that give their students a chance to get out in to the business/industrial world. Offer your company as a provider of work experience. It will not cost much, generally a free lunch for the student and a small thank you payment for them at the end of the week or fortnight.

4 - SCHOOL VISITS: Offer your services as a speaker to local schools. Offer to talk to the prospective school leavers about careers in your sector. This will cost you time and a little pre-planning, but can be very rewarding, as you have a chance to input in to the future of your community. You may learn a lot more about your sector and yourself.

These are all activities that we can all get involved in, without hurting that precious business balance. It provides a great deal of personal satisfaction; and the efforts can be very rewarding, both socially and commercially, especially if you provide service to the public rather than to other businesses.

Learn more about this author, Douglas Allen.
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