It’s quite telling that small businesses are sometimes also called “community businesses.” Even in today’s online commerce contexts, smaller businesses still often depend on their communities for sales, brand equity, and vital services. In the Philippines, this is even more true, given the value that both consumers and business owners tend to give to their communities.
Fortunately, engaging with your community doesn’t just help you align with local values. In a very real sense, it can help your business become more resilient and capable of sustained growth. Let's explore how you can reach out to your neighborhood and elevate your business at the same time:
1. Participation in Community Events
One of the most direct ways to engage with your community is by participating in local bazaars, fiestas, and similar gatherings. These avenues help peg you as an active member of the community and put you on top of mind for neighbors and outsiders alike.
Using a Maya Terminal POS device at these events guarantees maximum benefits from your participation as it will enable you to streamline customer transactions and track sales efficiently. The Maya Terminal, as well as its more portable sibling, the Maya Terminal Lite, is no ordinary credit card terminal, facilitating a full selection of payments, from credit and debit cards to QR Ph and e-wallets. This ensures hassle-free purchases for your customers at any out-of-store event.
2. Engage with Other Local Businesses
Engaging with other small businesses in your area can lead to mutually beneficial relationships. For instance, giving some preferential treatment to locally based suppliers can keep money circulating in your neighborhood, potentially encouraging more local sales for your business. Partnering with suitable neighborhood businesses is also convenient since it’s much easier to meet and share resources. By supporting each other, you not only strengthen your individual businesses but also contribute to your neighborhood’s prosperity.
3. Sponsoring Community Educational and Recreational Programs
Shouldering costs related to your community’s educational and recreational activities shows your neighbors how much you value them. Consider sponsoring local schools or youth clubs to help younger people see you as part of your community’s foundation. You can also offer internships or set up mentorship programs so that you can directly cultivate the talent already present in your neighborhood.
4. Providing Support in Times of Need
In times of crisis, consider offering your products or services at cost to needy individuals. Even modest support can do much to alleviate hardships and strengthen your community’s affection for your business. If you want to maximize your impact, talk to local authorities and community organizations so that you’re able to assist those who need your services the most.
5. Organizing Community Workshops and Seminars
Rather than guarding your business processes, consider sharing your expertise and knowledge with your community. We already mentioned offering internships, but you may be able to reach more people by organizing workshops or regular skill-building sessions. “Growing the pie” through thought leadership creates an atmosphere of inclusivity and marks you as a valued asset to your neighborhood.
6. Promoting Local Culture and Heritage
Celebrate the unique culture and heritage of your barangay or hometown by actively promoting local art, cuisine, and traditions in the weeks leading up to local fiestas. Consider talking to local leaders to see what role your business can play in preserving culture or bringing it forward. This approach to community engagement lends your brand authenticity and helps you enrich your community’s story.
7. Creating Community Spaces
Encourage community members to hang out and engage with each other on your premises to help strengthen bonds and breathe life into your neighborhood. To offset maintenance costs, you can also consider selling food, beverages, or other items that would be appreciated. Make sure to invest in a portable credit card machine like the Maya Terminal to enable card, QR Ph, and digital wallet payments from any part of your store.
Boost Community Engagement with Better Payment Acceptance Solutions
The Maya Terminal is so much more than just a card swipe machine. It’s a fully fledged all-in-one payment acceptance solution that helps build satisfying customer relationships. Sign up for Maya Business to order your own Maya Terminal to accept all credit card, debit card, QR Ph, and digital wallet payments in your community and beyond.
Signing up for Maya Business instantly gives you a Maya Business Deposit account for facilitating transactions made through your Maya card terminal. With an industry-leading 2.5% per annum interest rate, you’ll earn an extra PHP 25,000 a year for each PHP 1 million deposit. You’ll also save on your daily banking transactions, thanks to free money transfers via InstaPay and PESONet.
Once your Maya Business application is approved, you’ll also be put in line for a Maya Flexi Loan offer valued up to PHP 2 million—enough to cover a variety of community engagement projects. To get a higher offer next time, just use Maya as your primary processor for all wallet and card payments.
Complete your Maya Business application to order a Maya Terminal POS device and enjoy stronger ties to your community.
