This February we are launching our Month of Kindness campaign with which we hope to encourage others to carry out some small acts of kindness to support their industry, local area and beyond. It’s been a tough start to the year for everyone but even the smallest act of kindness can bring a smile to someone’s face and change a bad day into a great one.
Some small acts of kindness to inspire you to share a little love;
1. Donate to a food bank
Support the work of your local food bank by donating some of your brand’s products. If your products aren’t suitable for donation (they must be shelf stable), think about whether there are any surplus ingredients you could donate, or simply pick up a few extra items on your weekly shop.
2. Support a local charity or hospice
Hospices and charities often rely heavily on the proceeds from their shops, many of which have not been trading for almost a year due to Covid-19 restrictions, and as a result charities are struggling to raise the money needed to continue with the care they provide. If you are able to, we encourage you to make a donation to a local charity or hospice, whether it is a one off payment or you become a regular sponsor, every little helps.
3. Collaborate with smaller brands in your sector
Support your fellow business owners and collaborate with a smaller brand who compliments your own or that you think your customers would enjoy and use your following to drive brand awareness for them.
4. Write five Google reviews about other brands or businesses you have used
Reviews are so beneficial, especially for small businesses, and help gain consumer trust so head over and let them know what you think – you’re bound to put a smile on someone’s face too!
5. Try shopping with five different small producers or retailers
It has been great to see so many small business owners rise to the challenges faced by the pandemic and adapt their businesses to offer more online services, doorstep deliveries or contactless click and collect, meaning you can still shop safely. This month try shopping with five different small producers or retailers to show your support.
6. Write a testimonial for a supplier you have worked with
Have you worked with a supplier recently that has really impressed you or gone above and beyond to meet your needs? Send them a testimonial to publish on their website or social media so other people can see how brilliant they are.
7. Endorse five of your connections on Linkedin
Linkedin offers a fantastic community where you can make meaningful connections within your industry. Support that community by endorsing 5 of your connections and spreading some love
8. Connect four people that would benefit from being connected
As they say, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know so why not go ahead and introduce 4 of your contacts to other people that you think would be helpful to them? Everything is better when we support and help each other so start those conversations and spread the love.
9. Send a mystery gift to someone just because you can
Maybe someone you know deserves a thank you, or perhaps they are finding things particularly tough at the moment – put a smile on their face and show them that they are appreciated by sending a surprise gift. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, a bunch of daffodils on a neighbours doorstep, or a packet of their favourite biscuits, the smallest gesture can turn someone’s bad day into a great one.
10. Be kind to the planet
Check your packaging and processes. Are there changes you can put in place to make your business more eco friendly? Is your packaging recyclable? Could you invest in renewable energy? For anything you can’t change, consider donating to a charity that will offset your carbon footprint
11. Share your expertise and offer guidance to new businesses in your sector
Everyone needs a little help sometimes so be generous with your knowledge and experience and help to build up other business owners to boost your industry.
12. Help support stressed out parents struggling with homeschooling
Think of ways you and your business can help lighten the load for parents and keep children occupied whilst schools are shut. Maybe you could create a recipe using your product that kids can make at home, run a competition or even offer mentorship to young adults looking to get into business.
We hope you will join us with your own acts of kindness this month. If you do, please share it with us on social media by using the hashtag #tfmemonthofkindness.