To all entrepreneurs: We need you if the world is to thrive

‘T

here is no business too small that cannot make a difference in how we live today and what the planet and how its inhabitants will look like tomorrow’

Find below a few tips on how to make a difference with your existent business

Many small entrepreneurs have started a venture with that newly found passion and drive that will help you succeed. You have your own views and values and imagine all the good things that can come out from your business. Yet, when it comes to making an actual impact, small businesses tend to be unsure of what to do, where to start, how to finance any action you may want to take. In all honesty, small and medium-sized businesses only want to survive, and once the ship is floating you will be able to think about changing the world. After all, what can your tiny tweeny company do to address global warming, unemployment, racism, or sustainable living? Nothing your small company can do will make lasting change…these are some of the comments and questions I’ve often heard.   

Let me tell you this: Yes, YOU matter. Yes, you CAN do something about all of these issues, and more. Yes, you can CHANGE things. Yes, you DO bring value to the world, and frankly, WE NEED YOU. There is no business too small that cannot make a difference in how we live today and what the planet and how its inhabitants will look like tomorrow. Everyone and any organisation can bring value to society, to the environment, no matter how big or small. You may think that with your starting business you have no money to invest. Or maybe you want to make a difference and don’t know where to start. You feel like climbing Everest when it comes to sustainability or “social entrepreneurship”. Adding further value to your existing business is easier than you thought.

Let me give you a few tips on how to make a difference with your existing business.

From a social perspective, small and medium-sized businesses are closer to their communities than many other stakeholders. SMEs can help identify challenges in the neighbourhood, bring cohesion and come up with solutions.

• As much as possible, provide jobs to locals and be fair and respectful towards them

• Do not hesitate to reach out to your customers and find out what keeps them up at night – see if there is something you can do, for example:

  • offering up space in your shop or office for quarterly neighbourhood talks so that locals can find their own solutions;

  • providing vocational training for teenagers to keep them out of the streets;

  • volunteer in the community, etc.

From an environmental perspective, every little helps. Whether that’s about increasing your offices’ recycling rates, participating in WWF’s Earth Hour, using sustainable alternatives to commonly used products in your offices or shop, educating your clients on environmentally-friendly practices or sponsoring sustainable awareness-raising activities, all businesses no matter how big or small can contribute.

From a financial perspective, small businesses can also set trends and/or invest wisely: every small entrepreneur can get its own differentiating element by investing in their own workforce – training and upgrading employees skillsets, paying above the living wage, facilitating women's empowerment events – or giving back to the community through sponsoring educational events or infrastructure building when local governments are not in a measure to do so.

Small businesses can impact their cities and towns in ways that go beyond just jobs or service creation. They can add value to society from its very core, so I encourage you to do so.

To know more, get in touch: maite@valuebymaite.com