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Business Community

Many people approach businesses solely with requests for funding, but remember that they can contribute through time, expertise, reputation and leadership as well. When approaching them it is very important to address the two questions that they might focus on: Why should we make this investment? and What is in it for the company? A company has many resources to share, but is always concerned that they be allocated in a way that is in the best interest of the company. Some reasons that a business might consider your proposal of help with an international education campaign:

  • Many businesses value workers with international skills and therefore understand the need
  • On a personal level, business leaders feel a concern for the community in which they live and want to make sure the schools develop the best programs possible for their own firm's children
  • Companies have a mission statement and often the philanthropy of the company will fall within this mission or community statement

Role of the Business Leader

The Business community has much more to offer than time or money. Here are some roles that businesses can play:

    • Motivator/Leader: Help your group attain new levels of energy and responsibility. A leader can help inspire trust, loyalty and commitment
    • Networker: Business leaders can network with their colleagues and friends and with other leaders in the community who are critical to the success of the initiative
    • Teacher: The business community can share a skill set that your effort may not have. They may be able to donate time in the areas of accounting, technical skills and strategic planning
    • Mentor: International aspects of the business world can be shared in your school/community

How to Approach the Business Community

  • Join the local Chamber of Commerce whose meetings provide a great networking opportunity. Try to speak at a meeting to present your plan and gather support.
  • Make contact with the CEO through another employee in his/her firm or another contact. Before any company can grant its support it must have the blessing of the CEO, but usually it is best not to go directly to the CEO yourself, decision making on these issues is usually delegated
  • Push the benefits of the partnership instead of the cost to the business

The Meeting

Preparation is the key to a successful business meeting. Research the company through annual reports, websites and newspaper articles. Determine who is the best person for you to contact. Be sure to have arguments ready both to persuade your contact and for him/her to use with senior management and colleagues. In preparing, focus on these questions:

  • What do you need from the business community?
  • Does the business have a community policy or mission statement? Does international education fit in with these policies?
  • Is the workforce of the company skilled, academic, professional or semi-skilled? What types of skills does the company require in a worker? Will it benefit from an internationally literate workforce?
  • What help can they provide that no one else can?
  • How can your work help them achieve their goals?
  • How can your organization help them with this partnership?
  • Are there other partners that can be involved?

Request a meeting via a telephone call and follow-up with a written request that includes background information. An initial meeting may not produce results, realize that you may need to take time and develop a relationship. Follow-up the meeting with a thank you letter outlining your proposal.

References and More Information

The Institute for Healthy Communities. Engaging the Business Community: Insights and Strategies to Create Partnerships with For-Profit Businesses. Harrisburg, PA: July 2001. Accessed at: www.haponline.org/ihc

Heart of the City. Engaging with Business: A Good-Practice Guide for Community Organisations. London, PricewaterhouseCoopers. Accessed at: renewal.net/Documents/RNET/Policy%20Guidance/Engagingbusinessgood.pdf

 
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