An independent survey has revealed that small businesses should be doing more to support their surrounding community.
The survey, conducted by communications consultants, Hot Cherry, shows that entrepreneurs are failing to reap the potential benefits associated with community based work.
Many people within local communities are unable to provide the cash for business services such as legal advisors and property surveyors. This is where pro-bono work from local firms can help contribute to groups within their immediate community.
The research argues that business owners are unaware not only of the benefits to local people, but also for the reputation and public perception of their business.
Of the 100 businesses surveyed, 80 per cent said that they did not actively support the community. However, 98 per cent of organisations said that local communities would benefit from businesses offering time and skills support.
The situation in the UK is vastly different from the one in the US, where businesses show a higher regard for their local community, in-turn benefiting from local and national opinion polls.
One reason for the lack of enthusiasm from individual businesses in the UK may be that most believe that enough is being done to support local development.
Three quarters of organisations think that UK businesses are doing enough already to support their local area, while 20 per cent feel that it is the responsibility of the Government.
Harry Cymbler, Managing Director of Hot Cherry, said, “All UK organisations should have a policy in place to support local businesses.
"Business leaders need to think practically about what they can provide in terms of support – such as time, skills and knowledge. Our coverage was used to promote activities at an Islington farm and it helped the farm secure lottery money to stay open for another five years.”
