A Season for Green Giving

During the holiday season, instead of trendy gifts, I donate for example a half day to rake an elderly friend’s yard, plant bulbs or begin the pruning process. On seasonable warm days, I encourage friends to sit nearby where they can see me at work. Then, adding to my visit, I share the bounty of my garden, perhaps providing vegetable soup as a meal.

So, this year when my colleague issued a challenge - 'a 30-day' giving event, I decided to accept and made a commitment to share green life-style tips and/or strategies. To view a complete list, link to GBTV blog The Wright Scoop, http://www.buildinggreentv.com/keywords/green/9826.

Deciding to focus on both personal and professional networks, it was an eye-opening experience. For, it is through the act of giving that we gain the ability to see beyond ourselves.

Almost immediately a difference between traditional and 30-day gift giving activities occurred. The latter created a ‘consistent worth-while presence’. And, believe me when I say, it was not an easy task to identify 30 worth-while tips and/or strategies that provide universal appeal to a diverse mix of professionals.

Based on the concept “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~Galations 6:9”, a part of this challenge was to tally participant response. I expected to encounter people who would find the 30-day giving activity a bit overwhelming; still, I was surprised by the reaction of two ‘green’ colleagues. Both on numerous occasions directly benefit from the donation of my PR/marketing or ‘green’ skills; but, when expected to participate in reciprocal activities, opt to unsubscribed.

On the other hand, in contrast to the few who opt to unsubscribe, I received requests from individuals and groups through Facebook to ‘be a friend’, was notified by Twitter of requests to ‘follow my tweets’, received emailed messages that expand colleague networks; and related to the statistics of my web site usage, www.TheWrightScoop.com, it experienced more than a 100% increase in site traffic.

So, simply based on a tally of professional network responses, I’d say participation in my colleague’s challenge was successful; nevertheless, there were additional benefits. I acquired work assignments. In other words, through creating a consistent presence, the 30-day activity not only inspired others to participate but reciprocate, expanding professional networks and increasing market share.

The daily tips and/or strategies were so-to-speak a form of advertisement. And, through highlighting niche products or services, more defined networks were acquired both new as well as the elimination of participants with limited or self serving interests.

Although I may not again choose to participate in such an intense activity, I am grateful for the opportunity. During this holiday season, in addition to extra doggie, kitty and sticky grandchild kisses, I’ve reap a harvest, reciprocal acts of giving that enabled an opportunity to see beyond myself.

In the spirit of the holiday season, I extend the challenge to you. Create a consistent presence of ‘giving events’, share your skill, personal time or knowledge. Join me in a quest to green life’s garden one scoop at a time.