Give away the stuff that isn't selling.
Use your surplus to make friends — when they most need it.
Ideas I overheard:
- Gyms should let people who lost their job have a free off-peak-hours membership
- Salons should give free haircuts/facials to anyone on their way to a job interview
- Conferences should give scholarships to struggling small business who ask nicely (<– that's a hint)
- Restaurants should offer a free dinner for anyone who just got laid off
Your kindness will be repaid many times over when good times return.
Update: NPR ran a story about First Professional Cleaners in Manhattan that has a sign
in the window that reads: "If you are unemployed and need an outfit
cleaned for an interview, we will clean it for free." Listen here.
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{ 7 comments }
Wonderful ideas! I’d add that online marketers should consider giving away some of their helpful digital products as well. Anything that gives people ideas is a good thing indeed!
Reduced fees for memberships (“We’re all in this together”
Free seminars on topics such as financial planning (with NO sales pitches.) You’ve got to eat lunch anyway – so use the “free” time to build relationships.
Offer extended payment terms, without the usual “gotcha” double-digit interest at the end.
Waive the “convenience fees” for online payments. Those are goofy to begin with.
I really like the fact that a cleaner is willing to do that for folks who need just a little hand up. If that doesn’t boost their bottom line in the long-term, then I don’t know what would.
Good hearts and good people out there…we just need some more really good ideas like this that people can act on. Including me.
A trend of the month club, where each month you get mailed something hip with a glossy booklet explaining how cool that item is about to become. Limited to 5,000 people. Gives you a cool story to tell yourself for the rest of the month, and something to talk about with your friends.
http://www.sixmonthmba.com/2009/02/999ideas.html
I love these! Actions that show you are human and care about people pays dividends in the long run. What makes it great WOM is that you give them a story to tell their friends.
Nobledesktop – A company that offers training in creative software is running a special for anyoen on unemployemt to take their classea at a deep discount so they can get back in the workforce with new skills.
I should also mention that they give free classes and they are phenomenal.
Local barber shop gave free hair cuts to real estate agents!
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