Charity For Self-Serving Reasons

I recently attended a conference where I had the opportunity to hear from several well-known CEOs who shared insights about their companies and their perspectives on business. Most of them emphasized the importance of giving back to causes aligned with their company's values.

Interestingly, one CEO held a contrary opinion. He believed that a company's primary goal should be to maximize returns for shareholders, asserting that the responsibility of charitable giving lies with individuals rather than the business. According to him, allocating funds to charity could diminish shareholders' returns, and not everyone might agree with the chosen cause. While he personally donated to various charities, he did not endorse charitable giving by his company.

This perspective garnered disagreement from many other CEOs and the majority of the audience. The debate raises questions about the potential impact of forgoing charitable contributions on staff morale, company culture, and customer loyalty—factors that are challenging to quantify on paper.

Ultimately, it boils down to a value decision. Where do you stand on this issue?

If you're uneasy about charging for your services, one option is to consider incorporating charitable giving into your business or personal life. In the realm of personal services, you might allocate a certain amount of time each month to charity or pro bono work. This approach could provide a moral counterbalance to any reservations you may have about charging premium prices for your services.

Alternatively, coming to terms with the idea that what you offer is valuable provides a more straightforward path to overcoming any reservations about pricing. It's a mindset shift that acknowledges the worth of your services, making it easier to embrace fair compensation.