Are you getting involved in your community?
Community involvement is essential for any successful business. Whether you champion a non-profit organization, or a fraternal or civic organization, you realize the value of giving back to your community - and the insurance industry has generally been exceptional in this regard.
It would be nice to think that we get involved without any sense of wondering, “What’s in it for me,” but the reality is that we’re human. Most businesspeople hope to see some return in the form of enhanced relationships, branding, marketing, and promotion. Some people get involved due to a personal passion and expect nothing except for the opportunity to be of service. However, these are generally the exception, so let’s take a pragmatic look at volunteer activities.
The biblical maxim holds that what you give comes back to you tenfold. Yet, there seems to be a multitude of perceptions when it comes to defining the term “involvement.” The question is whether you’re involved in “name” or in “deed,” and, maintaining a holistic symmetry, are your returns in name or in deed?
The 50-40-10 Rule
After years of serving on various boards (mostly non-profit) and helping many other boards in their strategic planning, I’ve come to believe in the 50-40-10 rule of community involvement.
Fifty percent of board members seem to feel that they’re fulfilling their commitment by simply attending a 90-minute meeting once a month. They offer their opinion when asked, vote on various measures, say their goodbyes, and go on about their lives. In their defense, they feel that they’re making a major contribution to the organization, are quick to cite their board membership, and never fail to attend high-profile fundraising events. However, they’re members in “name” only.
Unsurprisingly, these people get their returns in name only. Social and/or business conversations usually end with the comment, “We’ve got to get together to… give me a call and we’ll do lunch.” As we all know, the relationship seldom goes any further than this well-meaning shrug-off.
Forty percent of board members split the difference between “name” and “deed” membership. They do everything that the 50% group does, but they move beyond this by joining and participating in various committees and sub-committees. These people receive far more in return than our first group. Although their actions have earned them a higher return on their investment, the relations they develop are somewhat limited in scope and less fulfilling than they could be. Their commitment is half-hearted and so are their relationships.
Then we get to the top 10%. These are the people who not only make things happen; they jump into the fray, roll up their sleeves, and git’er done. Their actions make up for all the shortfalls of the other 90%. Granted, they put in more time and effort than anyone else, but their returns are usually well beyond the 10-1 ratio. Due to their actions, people want to become close to them in both business and social circles. After all, winners attract winners, and everyone wants to be associated with a winner.
Is it any wonder that this 10% also encompasses some of the most successful business leaders in the community? The traits they developed to build their success are the same ones that serve them well in the volunteer arena. The qualities that enable them to lead their employees help them lead the community as well.
You Get in Proportion to What You Give
As a case in point, I recently produced a four-hour, live talent competition show here in Branson for a particular charity. I knew that several board members would rally volunteers and get specific jobs done. These same people were also among the busiest of our board members in every facet of their lives.
I also knew that I needed assistance in other critical areas and that I couldn’t rely on board members to follow through and complete these assignments. So I looked to the community and found highly successful, non-board members who were fans of this particular charity. They jumped at the opportunity to help in many, many ways, and were directly responsible for much of the event’s success. Is it any wonder that they’re so successful? People want to do business with people like this!
I also invited a friend and a relative to the event. One sat in the audience and did a little schmoozing to little avail - a few polite conversations, but that was about it. My son-in-law, on the other hand, asked how he could help. I chuckled and said, “How about being my legs during this 12-hour day?” He replied, “I’d love it, what time do we have to leave in the morning?”
During the course of the event, which took place in Branson’s largest venue, he probably ran about 15 miles helping to make things run smoothly. Since he was backstage with me, I had an opportunity to introduce him to some movers and shakers, and explain that he lived in the Nashville area and was a genius at building Web sites—particularly for the entertainment industry. These “action people” were able to see his hustle during the course of the day; and before we left, several of them made a point to give him their business cards and ask him to call about some work they’d like him to do. By becoming involved on an active basis, he positioned himself to receive the rewards.
Whether you choose to get involved in the hope of making business connections or for the altruistic purpose of feeling good by helping others, you only get back in proportion to what you give. If you’re involved, how involved are you? If you’re not involved, why not?