Businesses and business leaders from all over the country have similar concerns – hiring skilled employees, finding customers who can afford their goods and services, and operating in an environment that spurs innovation and economic vitality. Overwhelming, rigorous evidence shows that the root of all of these factors lies in children who have a good start that will prepare them for success in school and life. That’s why everyone from the world’s most prominent companies’ CEOs to business owners in rural communities is taking steps to foster an environment where kids may grow up healthy, happy, and ready to contribute to society. Companies are acting on their initiative to support low-income early education initiatives within their communities as they see the results and benefits locally, nationally, and in their profit margins.
In this article, we share some inspiration to help business owners, entrepreneurs, and management executives create their own initiative to support low-income early education within their communities and beyond.
Companies can support programs in their community that help young children thrive. While many corporations make charitable contributions to community organizations, those to early childhood projects are particularly important for several reasons. One is that philanthropic efforts are still much more common to target older children. It also sends an important signal to policymakers in countries that traditionally have yet to make their youngest residents a high priority. Since many early childhood interventions, such as vaccines or food, are inexpensive and generate tremendous benefits, a relatively small investment can significantly impact.
With so many options, many companies face the question of deciding what to do first – or next. Executives must make good decisions about allocating their limited time and resources to develop an initiative that will accomplish their goals and is a good fit for their company. These questions may help executives determine the best course of action:
– What does my community or nation need most?
– What are the significant issues facing our young children?
– What is my company’s goal in this arena?
– Am I interested in improving the productivity of current workers, improving the quality of life near my facilities, attracting young parents as employees, building my company’s visibility, and/or building for the future?
– What do I want our role to be – Providing money, products, expertise, reputation?
– Would our involvement be short-term or long-term? Who should be involved?
Whether a company wishes to engage in advocacy, create a child care facility, host an event, or fund an excursion program (theatre, museum, educational visits) to share the benefits of early childhood, it’s essential to develop a careful process and choose the right partner who can help the company achieve success. The early childhood field has its own culture, jargon, leaders, and procedures – all of which may feel very different to someone from the business community. Due to the complexity and specificity of programs and practices, consulting with experts in the early childhood arena will help companies develop and carry out their plans. The following steps briefly illustrate a process that can help ensure a successful experience…
Assess your goals and determine what you can commit:
Using the questions above, select the outlines of an optimal venture for your company.
Find a compatible partner:
Choosing the right partner is crucial – a leader who knows the field and “Investing directly in families and children’s wellbeing is both a social and moral imperative and an economically sound investment strategy for the future.
Establish trust:
Successfully working in this field requires respect and trust on both sides. Companies must realize local leaders’ substantive expertise, the significant challenges in serving young children, and the constraints under which programs operate.
Create mutual agreements:
The company and its initiative partners should agree on the endeavor’s scope, the resources each party can commit to, and the desired goals. The outcomes must be commensurate with the scope and timing of the effort. Therefore both sides must avoid the temptation to overpromise results.
Participating in local events gives your company a friendly face, which boosts brand recognition. The more people in the area see your company’s name and logo, the easier it will be for them to learn about your products and services and become familiar with your brand.
Studies show that social responsibility affects consumer decisions. Engaging in community activities enables you to attract new clients.
Just as consumers want to feel good about the businesses they buy products or services from, employees also want to feel good about the organizations they work for. Employees are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs if they think they work for a socially responsible employer.
Engaging in community events gives your business leverage and makes your brand more favorable in the eyes of consumers. Getting involved in local events helps you stand out from the competition and establishes your brand’s identity.
Changing the lives of young children is a marathon, not a sprint; as the old Chinese proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” If all parties are serious about improving the educational opportunities for the country’s youngest students, they’ll need to assess their success and be willing to make improvements regularly. Leaders in the business world are well aware that the future of their companies and the country rests on their employees’ creative problem-solving, teamwork, innovation, and optimism. These traits are established at a young age. Executives from various countries, industries, and companies of all sizes have taken it upon themselves to set an example for the youngest people in our communities. It will, without a doubt, make the world a better place for us all.
