Collaborate with companies through Business Involved

Sometimes, collaborating with a company is a great way to add value to your organization. And there are certainly companies that are eager to be socially engaged and make their contribution. The new platform BusinessInvolved.Amsterdam connects companies and social organizations. What exactly is it, and does it work? How do you stand out, and how do you create a comprehensive profile? These and other questions were answered during an online inspiration session with social organizations.

What is Business Involved?

Business Involved is an initiative of the City of Amsterdam, Deedmob, and VCA, and helps businesses and organizations connect. The platform is designed for companies and their employees who want to volunteer their time to an organization. Ultimately, the goal is to build long-term relationships. This is where the difference lies with the VCA job board. On the platform, we don’t talk about vacancies, but about opportunities. Furthermore, the focus isn’t just on matching supply and demand, but also the other way around: supply and demand.

What can you ask as an organization?

The request for assistance depends on the organization’s needs and what the company has to offer. Corporate donations are not meant to be monetary. Money isn’t always the best option. You can also achieve your goal in other ways. For example, a contribution could be an in-kind donation, such as coffee makers or laptops. Other good examples include sharing expertise, making spaces accessible, or deploying employees as volunteers. Ultimately, the request for assistance is answered without asking for a penny. So, think of helping hands, knowledge, supplies, services, spaces, or networks. For companies, the added value of contributing to social organizations lies in the fulfillment of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy.

How do you start a collaboration with a company?

• Make sure you have a clear request for help. What’s your motivation, what do you want to achieve, and what do you need? Knowledge, expertise, network, supplies, or hands?
• Also, know that you need time to guide and advise people. And that collaboration sometimes requires perseverance.
• Please be aware that these are sustainable and impactful collaborations. For other support requests, please refer to the VCA vacancy database.
• It’s also important to consider what the organization has to offer the company. Why would they want to associate with this organization in particular?
• Consider which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are relevant to your organization and align with them. The SDGs are seventeen goals designed to make the world a better place. They serve as a global compass for challenges like poverty, education, and the climate crisis. Read more here .

Create a complete profile

Once you’ve gathered all the information, you can register your organization on Business Involved and create an organization profile. Be clear, honest, and specific. Companies can search using various filters, such as SDGs, location, activity, etc. Include all of this in your profile. This ensures your organization is found by the right companies. Use clear images. These are often the first things a company sees when they visit your profile.
Complete your profile by adding an “Activity”: start date – end date, summary of the opportunity, number of people you’re looking for, and any conditions. Finally, it’s important to send an automatic personal message when someone responds. This makes it more informal and creates a good foundation for a lasting collaboration. VCA regularly reviews all posted opportunities and is happy to provide tips and tricks as needed.

Relationship management

Building lasting relationships is crucial for sustainable collaboration. Relationship management is crucial in this regard. Stay in touch with people who might be able to help you. It’s crucial that you reach out not only when you need help, but also when you have something to celebrate, for example, by inviting them to an annual party, Christmas drinks, or similar event. Building and maintaining relationships with companies is a long-term process. In some organizations, it’s part of a role, and there’s time for it. This also ensures support within your organization.

Use social media

Not everyone uses social media (optimally). The power of social media lies in  staying connected  to your network, which is often larger than you think. For example, a relationship doesn’t end with a single LinkedIn connection. For example, an organization might have received help from a glass company. The glass company might only be able to install glass once, but it also has a network of its own that might be interested in helping you.

A few more tips

1. Discuss the possibilities within your organization.  Agree on the next steps. Who will do what?
2. Bet on multiple horses. Despite the time investment, companies can sometimes withdraw. Therefore, it’s wise to bet on multiple horses to spread the risk.
3. Start your request well in advance! The platform offers no guarantee that your request for assistance can be answered within a short period of time.
4. VCA Advice. Contact VCA if you need advice on your approach, want to practice approaching a company, or want to see or share good examples.
5. Talk to people , go to networking events, be genuinely interested.
6. Listen carefully and be open to new ideas.
7. Invest time in it .
8. Stay connected with your contacts. (Offline and online)

Need personal advice?

For questions or advice on using Business Involved, please contact Rachida el Alami .