On the path to good relations with the community
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2024 9:29 am
A large company in a city has its advantages. Businesses gain customers, the city government earns more revenue, and infrastructure tends to improve. However, imagine an industrial plant in your neighborhood, right next to your street. Think of the heavy traffic, the loud noise of the machines, the strong smell. It is easy to understand why relationships with the surrounding community are among the biggest challenges in corporate communication.
Depending on the city (and the level of negligence on the part of the government), residents are unaware of the economic benefits generated by their “rich neighbor”, although they live every day with the inevitable inconveniences that they also bring.
It is important for the company that the surrounding communities are doing well. After all, that is where a large part of its capital is headquartered. Or where, in most cases, a considerable vp quality email lists contingent of its workforce and suppliers reside. None of these colleagues will live contentedly just because they have a job. Of course, they also want to live in a safe place, with clean air, without too much noise. Corporate actions that benefit the local area end up resulting in empathy and even motivation within the internal environment .
Furthermore, the well-being of the environment is a sustainable development policy . A concept that we read in reports is expressed in missions and values, but often does not exist in the routines of managers. Sustainability is more than selective collection or support for environmental groups. Sharing growth is also part of it.
There are many strategies and they vary according to the nature of the business. However, any type of solution will require dialogue and organization. The arguments are all on the table. Now, how can we make this relationship work?
Creating channels for interacting with the community
It is up to the company to develop channels to provide information about its projects and also to answer questions. There are positive examples of 0800 lines to serve the community. Those with good structure open their doors to regular meetings. Many achieve great returns by promoting events in schools, church halls and even squares.
Identifying community leaders
Dialogue is best carried out when you know your interlocutors. Knowing who the leaders are and trying to get closer to them makes things much easier. Due to the multiplier effect of these agents, the message you want to convey will reach more people.
Being transparent
Since every relationship is a two-way street, demands are inevitable. Especially in factories located in poorer districts, requests for work, food baskets, school supplies and medical assistance are common.
When addressing these needs, it is important to make it clear that the company is not the government, the chamber or the city hall. It is not responsible, for example, for policing the streets, maintaining a bus line or building a sewage system.
Fostering an active community
Even though the company is not a public authority, it should, like all of us, contribute to the creation of a fairer society. To do this, the company does not necessarily need to increase costs or promote improvements. Often, a little guidance is enough.
In meetings with leaders, for example, it is worth encouraging the creation of a community committee that strengthens the voice of residents in political spheres. Helping to create an active and organized community can be a legacy that is as important, if not more important, than taxes and jobs. After all, companies move or close, while movements of this type continue to build better neighborhoods, cities and countries.
Depending on the city (and the level of negligence on the part of the government), residents are unaware of the economic benefits generated by their “rich neighbor”, although they live every day with the inevitable inconveniences that they also bring.
It is important for the company that the surrounding communities are doing well. After all, that is where a large part of its capital is headquartered. Or where, in most cases, a considerable vp quality email lists contingent of its workforce and suppliers reside. None of these colleagues will live contentedly just because they have a job. Of course, they also want to live in a safe place, with clean air, without too much noise. Corporate actions that benefit the local area end up resulting in empathy and even motivation within the internal environment .
Furthermore, the well-being of the environment is a sustainable development policy . A concept that we read in reports is expressed in missions and values, but often does not exist in the routines of managers. Sustainability is more than selective collection or support for environmental groups. Sharing growth is also part of it.
There are many strategies and they vary according to the nature of the business. However, any type of solution will require dialogue and organization. The arguments are all on the table. Now, how can we make this relationship work?
Creating channels for interacting with the community
It is up to the company to develop channels to provide information about its projects and also to answer questions. There are positive examples of 0800 lines to serve the community. Those with good structure open their doors to regular meetings. Many achieve great returns by promoting events in schools, church halls and even squares.
Identifying community leaders
Dialogue is best carried out when you know your interlocutors. Knowing who the leaders are and trying to get closer to them makes things much easier. Due to the multiplier effect of these agents, the message you want to convey will reach more people.
Being transparent
Since every relationship is a two-way street, demands are inevitable. Especially in factories located in poorer districts, requests for work, food baskets, school supplies and medical assistance are common.
When addressing these needs, it is important to make it clear that the company is not the government, the chamber or the city hall. It is not responsible, for example, for policing the streets, maintaining a bus line or building a sewage system.
Fostering an active community
Even though the company is not a public authority, it should, like all of us, contribute to the creation of a fairer society. To do this, the company does not necessarily need to increase costs or promote improvements. Often, a little guidance is enough.
In meetings with leaders, for example, it is worth encouraging the creation of a community committee that strengthens the voice of residents in political spheres. Helping to create an active and organized community can be a legacy that is as important, if not more important, than taxes and jobs. After all, companies move or close, while movements of this type continue to build better neighborhoods, cities and countries.