How

Cause&Effect helps companies make a more meaningful connection with their community. We do this by taking the time to understand our client's business, and then establish a direction that's focused, effective, and rewarding.

This can include creating community partnerships, engaging employees in focused volunteer programs, or communicating directly with those whose support is critical to success. We also monitor and evaluate results to ensure the company is achieving the desired outcome - for the business and the community.

Our Approach

While different businesses require different means, below is our 'top 8' list for rock solid corporate community investment:

1. tell your story - Facebook, Twitter, on you web page, wound into your speeches and even within your annual report. If no one knows what you're doing, no one can support you.

2. get outside - look around and ask what are the most pressing issues in your community. Then ask where your business expertise would do the most good. Commit to visiting one not-for-profit organization a month. Ideas will come. Probably quite a few.

3. forget about the money - okay, not entirely. But you can invest in your community without breaking your budget: products, services, expertise, meeting space, used computers, volunteers, fundraisers - and these are only a few suggestions.

4. ask your employees - what could we be doing in our community? What would excite you enough to get involved? Who's doing a great job at addressing our most pressing social issues? Discussing how your business can be more socially responsible provides a great break to the routine, and shows you care enough to seek input.

5. consider the environment - environmental responsibility and community spirit are connected. If you think your business will benefit from paying attention to its environmental footprint, then there's probably no better place to start. Community passion will naturally grow from here.

6. lead - if you're the CEO, or in a senior position, it's important you understand and believe that business plays an important role in keeping communities strong. You need to feel personally connected to at least one of the social issues that your business takes on, and most importantly, an effort must be made to be present and involved. Employees want to get behind something big enough for the top brass to care about. Knowing that you're supporting the team, or more importantly, on the team makes all the difference.

7. focus - nobody is very good at anything when they try to do everything. Go through the process of prioritizing which social or environmental issues will get most of your attention. Only then, venture forth and give it everything you've got.

8. measure progress - monitor and be able to articulate the difference your efforts are making. After all, it's not just the community that's benefitting here; your bottom line should, too.