One of the most challenging aspects of managing a workplace giving campaign is getting the employees engaged. This can be particularly difficult for a campaign at a larger company where people are busy doing many different things throughout the day. Most employees would love to contribute to charitable causes, but with all the demands of the workplace, it may not always be a priority. There are some simple things you can do to build employee interest for a workplace giving program, and most of them center on taking a more strategic approach to your campaign.
Making it personal is a great way to increase enthusiasm. Often charities seem a bit too abstract, and it is difficult for employees to really relate to a cause. In these cases, it can be wise to bring in people who were helped by the charity. A presentation featuring individuals whose lives were changed for the better is a big source of inspiration. When people can put a human face on a charity, it becomes more tangible, and enthusiasm for the project is sure to build.
The last thing you want to do is cause division with a workplace giving program, so make sure that you choose a non-partisan cause. Helping children or helping to spread awareness about a specific disease or condition, such as breast cancer, are choices that appeal to a wider base of employees. Rather than choose a cause with a political agenda, select something that employees will feel comfortable about supporting regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum.
Too often, employees only think about worthy causes at specific times of the year, such as the year-end holidays. The reality is that these charitable programs need assistance all year long. By keeping the issues involved with the causes at the forefront of employee engagement on a consistent basis, your workplace giving program will be more successful in getting participation year round.
Using social media to bolster employee pride in the program is another excellent strategy. Be sure to highlight the efforts of your employees through various social networking sites. This creates a sense of pride among your employees and increases their pride in the company, as well. When a single employee or a few employees make a particularly outstanding contribution, be sure to publically acknowledge this act via social media as well providing personal praise.
Your management and the employees also need to operate effectively as a team. When everyone is involved, the end result is far more positive and encourages further growth. If your company is supporting a program to aid the homeless in your area, get managers and employees to donate time serving food at a local soup kitchen together. When everyone is working as a group to help a cause, this builds a positive sense of community and allows a unique opportunity for employees to interact with managers and additionally, to support a worthy cause.
Making it personal is a great way to increase enthusiasm. Often charities seem a bit too abstract, and it is difficult for employees to really relate to a cause. In these cases, it can be wise to bring in people who were helped by the charity. A presentation featuring individuals whose lives were changed for the better is a big source of inspiration. When people can put a human face on a charity, it becomes more tangible, and enthusiasm for the project is sure to build.
The last thing you want to do is cause division with a workplace giving program, so make sure that you choose a non-partisan cause. Helping children or helping to spread awareness about a specific disease or condition, such as breast cancer, are choices that appeal to a wider base of employees. Rather than choose a cause with a political agenda, select something that employees will feel comfortable about supporting regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum.
Too often, employees only think about worthy causes at specific times of the year, such as the year-end holidays. The reality is that these charitable programs need assistance all year long. By keeping the issues involved with the causes at the forefront of employee engagement on a consistent basis, your workplace giving program will be more successful in getting participation year round.
Using social media to bolster employee pride in the program is another excellent strategy. Be sure to highlight the efforts of your employees through various social networking sites. This creates a sense of pride among your employees and increases their pride in the company, as well. When a single employee or a few employees make a particularly outstanding contribution, be sure to publically acknowledge this act via social media as well providing personal praise.
Your management and the employees also need to operate effectively as a team. When everyone is involved, the end result is far more positive and encourages further growth. If your company is supporting a program to aid the homeless in your area, get managers and employees to donate time serving food at a local soup kitchen together. When everyone is working as a group to help a cause, this builds a positive sense of community and allows a unique opportunity for employees to interact with managers and additionally, to support a worthy cause.
About the Author:
Sebastian Troup enjoys blogging about philantrophic solutions for businesses and non profit organizations. For additional information about workplace giving programs, or to find a corporate charity giving campaign, please check out the Truist website now.
A fantastic presentation. Very open and informative.You have beautifully presented your thought in this post.
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