Socially Active Business Network
The Context
Business owners are struggling with issues related to what is often called “social disorder” in and around their businesses, a situation that has been amplified now with COVID and pandemic conditions. Many business owners and managers have said that they want to move from complaining to being a part of the solution. Working in partnership, REACH Edmonton and The Nook Cafe are leading a prototype exploring ways that businesses can be good neighbours and actively support people experiencing marginalization.
Today, more than ever, the corporate world is conscious of its social responsibility. There is understanding of the concept of the triple bottom line which consists of three elements: profit, the planet, and people. While there are numerous resources for the first two, there is less support for the social side of things, and most are focused on more removed transactions, such as donating money or volunteering, and not much about supporting the neighbourhoods and neighbours of businesses. The challenge is that many do not know what to do to help marginalized people and need support. The challenge is to connect and build a supportive community of business owners to collectively address and advocate for change relating to complex social issues that exist in our community.
We know that wellbeing is a whole community responsibility, and this network would support businesses in developing healthy, reciprocal relationships with marginalized members of our communities. The idea for a network is to offer support to members - training, scripts and other tools, as well as mentorship - to become more successful socially active businesses, experiencing more of the multiple kinds of profit. The idea is to bring people into conversations, figure out what their needs are and find ways to address them.
Relation to RECOVER’s Wellbeing Framework
Targeted Outcomes: connection to community and the human project, for businesses, patrons, and those who may be seen as contributing to social disorder
Tools/Levers: roles & resources, interactions & environments, and frames & narratives
What We Did
We created a platform for Edmonton businesses to help them to strengthen their triple bottom lines, starting with a website collecting information about who wants to be part of a network. It is a hub and community for advocacy and support.
In addition to the website, REACH and The Nook have worked to develop workshops and have done some small presentations. They are keen to dive into communications, engagement, and developing a working board.
What We Learned
There are wide-ranging ideas on what it means to be a socially conscious and socially active business.
Personal beliefs and values, as well as cultural background and life experiences have a significant impact on the motivation for a business owner to adopt socially active business practices.
Adopting sustainable socially active business practices requires connectedness to the community.
Support to businesses is required to help overcome challenges.
There are potential economic returns as well. The Socially Active Business Network could assist local businesses in developing business/service models that are not only mindful of, but also act and respond to the social and environmental needs of the community in which a business is a part.
Where to From Here
Based on a positive first meeting with the Downtown Business Association, we are working towards establishing an information session for businesses. The next step will be the development of a working committee to take this to pilot implementation.