In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Alison Covington of Good360, a matchmaker helping to repurpose items of value by directing them to Australians most in need.
Alison shares how retailers such as Big W, Harvey Norman and Lego have partnered with Good360 to make valuable contributions to their communities. We hear how it works, the success stories and the benefits for retailers. In a year full of bushfires, floods and Covid19, this conversation is a timely reminder that acts of giving are good for us all.
It is worth focusing on one aspect that Alison referred to – our hesitance to talk about the good we are doing in Australia. Whether this be via Good360 and whether it be on a large or small scale, we need to be more public with our contributions. There are four good reasons why:
Firstly, it will strengthen your connection with customers and help build affiliation.
Secondly, it gives your teams a higher purpose and pride.
Thirdly, it lends profile to the charities and causes we support.
And lastly, we need to show other retailers that we prioritise giving and the wellbeing of our communities – this kind of leadership encourages others to follow.
Don’t look at it as chest beating – look at it as leadership for good.
It has gone from what was excess and idle to being very purposeful and intentioned giving to communities
Alison Covington
Questions answered in this episode include…
- How does the process of matching excess goods with those in need work?
- How do you inspire businesses to get on board and donate their excess goods?
- What benefits are there for retailers?
- What kind of difference are you seeing this make in the community?