I think we can all agree that we spend a lot of time and money hiring, training, and managing our employees.  They are the heartbeat of your organization after all.  A healthy well centered and engaged workforce can make a measurable difference in the growth and success of your business.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to engage your team in something greater than themselves by giving back to the world around them.  Your employees want to know that the company they work for stands for something other than increasing the bottom line.  They need to know that the organization’s executives are actual people who care about the world around them.  Sponsoring a food or coat drive for those less fortunate, raising money for victims of natural disasters, or spending some time with the ill or dying can be a tremendously rewarding experience for both your staff and the company.  There are so many worthy causes; I am sure you can find one that fits your organization.

The benefits of giving back to the world are well documented.  I have experienced this first hand by watching company sponsored events at a local homeless shelter I volunteer for on occasion.  The employees volunteering were filled with gratitude for the companies that allowed them to take time out of the work day to participate in such a rewarding activity.  They told me they looked forward to these events and admired their organization for the social conscience they so clearly demonstrated.

Take time this year and think about how you and your team can make the world a better place.  Your employees will thank you for allowing them to participate, your organization will be empowered by the experience and you will beam with pride for having done a great thing for your fellow man!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!