“Giving Back” means functioning as Part of the Community

During the holidays in November and December, our relationships often take on a new meaning. Whether personal or professional, recognizing that we’re part of a community is a step in the business owner’s journey. We realize that this podcast will originally be published in October. That’s a conscious choice on the part of DOC’s because we want you to think ahead, prepare and take action in YOUR community. We encourage you to make “October – November – December” more than just the 4^th quarter. Make it the time you planned and acted as a member of your personal and local business community.

 

Does “Giving Back” Sound Like BS to You?

Right now, there are commercial cleaning professionals who are front line workers and business owners who are struggling. We understand that and we don’t want to dismiss the cost-of-living changes we’ve all seen in the post-pandemic world. Economic circumstances come and go. And as cleaning professionals, we are often requested to “take a little off”, “put in the time” and our personal favorite, “If you can just work with me on this one…”. Yeah. That last one is a classic.

We understand that “giving back” sounds like a slap in the face after many cleaning company owners are faced with a constant request to lower prices. We hear it too.

 

Before “Giving Back” sounds like an insult

Joel has worked in the commercial cleaning industry for decades. Negotiation prices and dealing with aging receivable is part of every business. For those readers who are Cleaning Supervisors, aspiring Supervisors and Cleaning Company Owners, you ARE different. You CHOOSE to serve, lead and take responsibility. Most often, not because it’s easy, or because you’re feeding an ego. Most of you do this because serving, leading and taking responsibility are part of who and what you are.

That’s why you rise to the occasion.

 

Giving Back means Declining Negativity

To our fellow business owners and leaders, there will always be a sense of challenge in our work and the world around us. When we choose to stand-tall and see what we’ve gained, it provides a sense of accomplishment. Take stock of what you’ve done. Life may not be perfect for you, but you’ve made progress. And that same act of self-assessment also allows us to see the needs in our communities. We can’t solve the world’s problems, but we CAN impact our corner of it. By choosing to give where we can, we decline negativity. That method of giving may be financial or the offer of time. We suggest that the type of giving you perform speaks to your core values.

 

Why We Chose Veterans

DOC’s gives to many community endeavors. In this podcast, Joel describes his family connections to several, including the military. When you select a cause, go with one that inspires you. Because as a community leader, that inspiration will shine through. And it’s our humble opinion that when it does, you’ll light up your corner of the world, too. Now, Let’s get into the podcast.

 

Ray

Joel, we’re back, and our topic is giving back to the community. I know that you have some specific community groups that you have interest in. What do you have for us today as this pertains to cleaning company owners?

 

Joel

One thing as a cleaning company owner that you have to give a lot of thought to is, how is your company seen by the general public? You don’t I want to be seen just as someone who takes money. In a lot of instances, that’s what usually happens. And the companies that tend to get a little bit more attention by the community at hand are ones that are very involved in community advocacy activities. So, over the years, we’ve represented at different firms around the holiday. And every year, a good couple of friends of mine, they own a restaurant, and I sponsor a golf tournament for the Wilmont Cancer Center. And I sponsor that golf tournament, mainly because my father, who had had cancer and has since passed, was at Wilmont Cancer Center. So, it’s part to me, it’s a feel good to give back for the cancer research. In the past, I’ve done things with Adopt a Grandparent. Yes. Again, I have parents who are grandparents. I remember my grandparents with great fond memories. And with my cleaning company, we do a lot of senior living facilities, so it’s important that I gave back because of that.

 

Joel

And this year, what I’m doing, because I come from a military family, my father was an army reservist. My grandfather was a major in World War II. My great, great, great grandfather fought in the Civil War. My sister and my brother-in-law were in the military. My brother-in-law fought during Desert Storm. My niece works for the Air Force. So, we are a military family. And having grown up in the ’70s and ’80s and going to parades and things like that, I remember a lot of the soldiers that would march in from the Korean War and the Vietnam War. And I remember the negative connotation when they came back to the United States that Americans had against vets. And I can even remember some of the comments of some of the soldiers walking by was, as we’d clap and be standing, “Where was this when we came back?” Vets are still a very overlooked part of our population. Veterans have post-traumatic stress syndrome. Sometimes because of the things that they’ve viewed and have been around, they may have addiction issues. They might not be able to hold a job. I know that there’s a large percentage of veterans that have been in and out of rehab, in and out of lockup, things like that.

 

Ray

They can even spread into family issues. It can make holding employment very difficult.

 

Joel

And it can be. Sometimes certain people still have a negative connotation and may overlook a veteran. So, this year, I’m actually working with somebody that I know through my association with the Greece Regional Chamber of Commerce. Her name is Michelle Martell, and she’s involved with the Veterans Outreach Center here in Rochester. But one of the things we’re doing in the month of November of 2024, we’re going to have a collection center here at our office. I’ll let our staff know as well as our clients and push it out there through social media. Looking for $5, $10 gift certificates, underwear, socks, gloves, scarfs, hats, jackets, anything like that, because a lot of veterans need those. And that’s a year-round need. And it’s a way to… Even if we collect just a few things, everything helps somebody who is in need. And being the holiday times, people are more in the spirit and have more first of thought that they should be helping others because maybe they’re a little bit better off than somebody living on the streets. We want to bring awareness to this need and also reach out to other cleaning owners wherever you are in the United States or abroad, is look to give back to your community and do it with things that you’re passionate about.

 

Joel

I’m passionate about the Cancer Center because my father had cancer. I’m passionate about autism because two of my children have autism. I’m passionate about the veterans because they do come from a military family. Just don’t do something because it just feels right. Do it because of a specific reason that you can hook to. Because more people are more apt to help these programs for you and give back to the community because you’re involved in the community. Not that we’re looking to grow our business, but when they see that, Hey, DOC’S is out there doing this, that, and the other thing, indirectly, that drives additional awareness to your brand and your name. And shows that you’re not just taking the money and running, but you’re giving back. And people want to know that you’re doing something with the money other than pocketing it.

 

Ray

Joel, what you’re really describing is being a good neighbor, whether it’s a good business neighbor or not. Actions to support our vets who have supported our community in our country, it’s hard to argue with that.

 

Joel

We walk every day because of what they do.

 

Ray

So true. Thank you, Joel.

 

Joel

You’re welcome.