Why It's so Important for Business to Give Back

I am Tahlia Mandie from Kakadu Plum Co and today I wanted to share with you how I came to understand the importance of doing good and giving back in business. 

When I had my previous tech company, it was all for the dollars. Back then, success to me was about securing client contracts and getting investment. Turns out, neither of those two things ended in success; after eighteen months of operation we decided to shut the business down. 

It was only through this experience of my ‘failed start-up’ that I realised the necessity of social good and social change in business.

You see, I now realise how easy it is to do good in this world through your everyday practices and business. 

Yes, making and creating amazing products should be the core of any business, but, the question of what else can we do should be second fold. But what many companies and individuals may not understand is that social impact is not necessarily about sharing and giving profits or being a not-for-profit organisation. 

In fact, some of the most successful social enterprise companies are ones that make a huge impact in ways that are far more meaningful than giving money.

THINK PURCHASING PRODUCTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES OR EMPLOYING PEOPLE FROM DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES. THINK ABOUT COMMUNITY INITIATIVES THAT GIVE BACK AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS THAT BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. THINK COLLABORATIONS WITH CHARITIES AND SPECIFIC PROJECT DRIVES. 

Yes, you can still keep all your profits and make a difference in your business on a greater social level and do it very well. 



As a mother I am forever thinking about the steps and actions I take and the impact it has on my children. Every day we teach our young people in more ways than one. From the little to large things we do, and don’t do, it all has an impact on the people that they become.



When we inspire our children and youth of today to do good and go that extra mile in life for the sake of someone else, we simultaneously impact our future and our economy. We are role models in everything we do.

ANY BUSINESS LOOKING FOR AN EFFECTIVE PATHWAY OF GROWTH SHOULD BRING SOCIAL IMPACT TO THE CORE OF THEIR MISSION AND STRATEGY. 

Businesses of today set the example of businesses for the future. It no longer can simply be about the dollars in the bank and the dollar value of a company. It needs to be more. 



Social impact is a part of my daily life, and business, and I couldn’t think of anywhere else I would rather be. So how can you make a difference in your business that doesn’t involve giving away dollars?

Support local

As a small business owner I know the slug and hard times it takes to achieve one little goal to the next. Supporting local businesses, growers, farmers and producers impacts an ecosystem, jobs and employment. Think of your supply chain and if there is someone local you can support. 

Minimise packaging

At Kakadu Plum Co. we like to keep things as clean, raw and simple as possible. Not only is this true to our brand, but we are reducing packaging, materials and omissions at the same time. If you have a product, think how you might be able to sell in bulk to reduce your packaging and materials. 

Community collaborations

Whether it be around a specific event, day or occasion, what community initiative and project can you begin.

Maybe it is collaborating with a local school to get them to help design your next product line, or collaborating with a charity to help them raise funds or products. Maybe it is about sending your food waste to other charities or farmers that can use your left overs in other ways. 

Think creatively and there are loads of ways you can make a social impact in your business. One little change can make the world of difference. 



Kakadu Plum Co. exists to support Aboriginal communities and the Australian native food industry. Through purchases of our bush superfoods, you are making a difference… literally! 

 

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