Community Relations Strategy for Small Business

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

---

20 Great Ways to Market Your Business Locally

Whether your target audience is in your neighborhood or across... Read More

Setting Up a Pressure Washer Rig to Clean Concrete

Maximum efficiency in the cleaning industry is a key to... Read More

Measuring Your Way to Success

Are you a motivational speaker who consistently gets rave reviews... Read More

So What? How to Elicit Benefits from Features

"So what?" is a lovely question.It can lead to a... Read More

Small Business and Branding ? Why and How?

When we speak of branding most of the time people... Read More

How to Remove Stress from Owning a Business... Forever!

I meet and talk to hundreds and hundreds of business... Read More

Entrepreneurs Go Virtual!

With the massive explosion of start-ups and home businesses developing,... Read More

Sex Up Your Business Growth

A top executive called up me late in the night.... Read More

We Know Who THEY Are

Am I the only one that does not have an... Read More

Employee Email and Internet Use - A Small Business Guide

IntroductionIt is widely recognised that Email and the Internet is... Read More

Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time on Service Businesses in the United States

The Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time changes the way we... Read More

Forming a Corporation ? Investors

You've come up with the best idea since sliced bread,... Read More

Small Business Marketing - How Important Are Your First Words?

"What do you do?" It just might be one of... Read More

City Wide Garage Sales: Hidden Riches!

Most of us remember going to at least one garage... Read More

The Key to a Successful Business

Where would a business be without a business plan? A... Read More

Pressure Washing Business Case Study, Tractor Cleaning

So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More

How To Plant Seeds of Success With Small Business Ideas

Think of all of your business ideas as tiny seeds... Read More

Franchising VS Business Opportunity; What is the Difference?

The modern Franchise business model and the much different business... Read More

Small Business Owners - They Owe You The Money Why Dont They Pay?

Doesn't it frustrate you when you've given good service, sometimes... Read More

A Look at Small Business Incorporating in Florida

The choice to incorporate a small business in Florida has... Read More

How to Become Successful in the Field of Financial Consultants

Financial Consultants are one of the fastest growing industries today.... Read More

Competition in the Mobile Car Wash Industry

We have all seen the mobile washing units cruising our... Read More

How To Ruin Your Business

If you're like the rest of us, you've spent a... Read More

Is Your Business Legally Prepared?

It is imperative to have your business legally prepared. How... Read More

FTC Franchise Rule if Enacted will Trigger Hardship for Private Sector

The FTC Franchise Rule maybe changed, as the Federal trade... Read More

Data Loss - Can Your Company Survive? (Most Do Not)

Data. Most people think it is a term relegated to... Read More

Slip And Fall Professionals; Service Businesses

Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More

How to Raise Your Fees and Thrill Your Customers

Think the best way to get more customers is to... Read More

Are You a Small Business Casualty?

When a person knows and knows not that he knows.... Read More

How to Find Success in the Import Export Business

Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More

Small Business Strategies - Four Critical Success Factors

Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More

How To Cut Expenses And Manage Your Business

If you own a small business, you should know that... Read More

Starting Your Small Business

Where do you find more customers?How do you compete with... Read More