Well – it is Christmas time again. There are Business Christmas parties on two or three times a week. Business owners are pouring largesse for their clients – dinners, parties, gifts.
Yet I am not. I think it is sort of nuts to only show gratitude or to work on building solid relationships in a great big burst at Christmas time. Why not do it all year? Or at least at times when people are not in a “Partied Out” State?
Parties are great things.
A few years ago as I was about to purchase restaurant vouchers for my clients – which was my “usual” gift around Christmas time – it occurred to me that there might be a better use for the money. My clients obviously enjoyed receiving a gift – and it always nice to know that you are appreciated. The amount I was investing was becoming a tidy sum – if not a princely one.
Then I received a card from a friend who instead of giving me a gift had instead given a chicken to a village in Kenya or Eritrea or somewhere… A chicken is a livestock investment. It is real, and increases the wealth of a village considerably over time.
I discovered that not only can you donate chickens, but also equipment – like water sterilization systems. If you are child in poverty – and someone in business in a distant land gives up handing out “overeating” vouchers to his wonderful clients so that you can get have safe water to drink – it that a really, really good thing?
Or if you are a parent and the only water you have for your children is smelly, dangerous and dirty – and you know it that is dangerous – but you have no choice – how do you feel?
And then World Vision turns up in a Land Rover and begins to set up the water treatment plant?
So for the last few years I’ve been privileged to bundle the “Christmas Party Funds” and create a little positive ripple for some less fortunate people. This year I was caught up in the emotion of having a loved one lose more and more of their sight.
And I discovered that $25 can give someone their sight back. That is about the price of a good entrée. Throw in a main meal, a bottle of wine, some coffees and you paid almost enough to have something like this happen:
Click Here and Read The Article And if it strikes you as a good idea – then consider your Christmas Party Investment – or the “upgrade” you pay extra for when you fly – or any other time you pull out your credit card – and decide which has more value for you.
Have a safe and happy Christmas
James Hooper
Business Coach Townsville