How We Encourage Industry Leaders to Assess Their Work

1. Stand Strong & Have Patience.
   In the beginning this work may feel unfamiliar and challenging as you build your impact muscles, plant seeds, and advocate for the resources needed to make your initiatives grow.  Identify allies and have patience with yourself and others as the roots for your program grow.  If you encounter overwhelming resistance, negativity, and blocking - consider taking your talents to a company more in line with your heart. 

2. Think BIG and long-term.
   Instead of sponsoring the ice cream truck at the next community event, think about creating a scholarship fund. Or giving people access to capital through a new business accelerator.

3. Create multi-year goals and KPIs.
   (1, 3, and 5 Years) with hero organizations that speak to the current needs in the communities you serve. 

4. Measure your impact not just in dollars but in what was done.
   Collect copious amounts of quantitative and qualitative data to showcase and publicize your impact.  Create multi-year goals and KPIs and go deeper with partner organizations that speak to your mission and the communities you serve.  Use surveys, census, interviews, and reports from your partner organizations to measure and understand your impact. For example: 12,000 books, over 100,000 hours of reading, 60,000 meals served etc.

5. Create a long-term plan for how your company will create impact.
   Work to gain buy in, resources, and the necessary budget from senior leadership to execute a long-term plan.

6. Capture the Moment and Spread the word.
   All of us, no matter the size of our organization or the clients we serve, can make an impact. Change begins in units of one. One person, one company and one event can make a huge difference.

7. Don’t be afraid to speak—and live—your truth.
   Not every organization may be willing to do this work or grasp its urgency. That’s OK. It requires a deeper investment and more follow through—things that may feel difficult or unfamiliar to some. But being true to what you believe in comes before all.

8. Celebrate Your Wins
   All of us, no matter the size of our organization or the clients we serve, can make an impact. Change begins in units of one. One person, one company and one event can make a huge difference.