How to integrate your business into the local community

One of the toughest challenges for any business establishing itself in a new location is how to integrate itself into the local community.

Whether you are looking to create more jobs, offer a service to the local populace, or be granted planning permission for new premises, trying to get the locals on the side is never easy.

The reason for this stems from a basic human instinct – the craving for familiarity. People don’t trust what they don’t know, and this is true for your business. To all intents and purposes, the presence of your company could be disruptive or even destructive, as far as the local community is concerned.

While this is easier to appreciate if you are planning on developing a vast plot of land or hoovering up resources, it is also true for small businesses. Just ask any restaurateur or bar owner who has tried to establish their brand in a new town, only to be denied planning permission or other commercial licenses due to the fear of an oversaturated marketplace.

Therefore, it is crucial that you find proven ways to connect with the local community. Here are a few ways you can do it:

Use signed bricks to fund a new building or charity

A novel way to involve the local community in your business practices is to host a fundraiser. You could be doing this on behalf of a local community project that needs financing or even your own project if you can demonstrate its worth to the locals.

For example, if you wanted to construct a new building, you could host an engraved brick fundraiser. This is when people can sponsor you by purchasing a brick. If they are successful, you carve their name on the brick and use it during the construction of the building.

This both helps you raise money for your project and allows the community to be a part of the process. If you want to host a brick fundraiser, a brick engraving service that can help.

Meet with local leaders and government

You won’t be able to make much progress with your integration into the local community if you don’t have the local leadership on your side.

The local leadership team might include the town or city mayor, the council, local government officials, and prominent business owners who command influence over community decisions.

Set up meetings with these individuals in order to introduce yourself, make your intentions clear, and demonstrate your commitment to the local community.

This may be a gradual process, but it will make your life much easier in the long run.

Have an open day for prospects and their families

There is nothing like a great day out in the open air, with fun activities laid on and music blaring, for the locals to warm to your brand.

Open days are a fantastic way for the local community (and potential customers) to become familiarized with your company and the services you offer.

To entice locals to venture out for the afternoon, consider laying on food, drinks, music, and attractions to make it a day out to remember.