To succeed in your business, it is important to understand, communicate and create productive relationships within the communities where you do business. Your community is comprised of a variety of people and organizations with different relationships and abilities to positively or negatively impact your business.

Stakeholders, or those with significant interest in your organization, make up a small but powerful segment of your community. They influence large numbers of people and organizations and require specific focus. Other stakeholders and community decision-makers include elected officials, neighborhood associations, educational institutions, service and non-profit agencies and business development groups.

Everything from your community involvement and service to philanthropic giving should be strategically measured, planned and implemented. Your organization’s community relations must be strategically aligned with your business plan to help your image as a corporate citizen and ultimately help your bottom line.