Supporting Local: Learnings from BALLE 2014

Last week I was fortunate to join 600 local advocates, social enterprises, municipal leaders and small business owners as they came together in Oakland, California for the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies - BALLE 2014 Conference. Over the inspiring three days we saw examples of disenfranchisement, complexity as well as stunning collaboration.

BALLE focuses solely around small and locally owned businesses as the main drivers for resilient economies – and for good reason. Businesses that are locally owned translate three times as much economic benefit back to the local economy. That economic benefit can come in the form of direct and indirect local job creation and wages, local procurement and local philanthropy. So, please do buy local!

However, it isn't realistic for every product or service to be made locally – and since businesses that don’t accommodate local ownership are our current reality, I would like to consider what non-local businesses can do.

How might  non-local or big business authentically and meaningfully  contribute to the places in which they operate and to the people that live there?

Start with a lens of equality.

We know that the income inequality is a growing problem in the U.S. and one that causes both physical harm (stress and malnutrition), and psychological harm (that results in loss of memory, focus, decision-making ability). We simply cannot even begin to have a conversation about building local economies if these resources are continuously diverted away, perpetuating the cycle of inequality. Furthermore, inequality has to be addressed with a unique approach for each specific instance – for example this may be accomplished through social enterprises that hire the “unemployable,” through intentional resource allocation, through inclusive practices and human-centered design.

Funding is power. It should be directed for impact.

For community organizations and for entrepreneurs, the ability to thrive and to grow positive community impact starts with keeping the lights on – or getting them turned on for the first time. This first step into economic security, and the catalyst for community development, is powered by access to funding.

As large businesses enter new markets they often tout the importance of the new jobs being created and subsequent economic benefits of the new wages. But there are significant additional opportunities which can be realized in not just the community of the new physical location, but throughout the supply chain. Through the establishment of new procurement agreements and other local contracting considerable impact can be made. Companies can therefore intentionally direct resources to provide opportunity and promote equality where it traditionally cannot be found through purposeful sourcing, values-based investment, and donations.

And finally...

Better together.

This is one of BALLE’s core principles for local resilience building – and incredibly apt for larger businesses looking to make positive social impact. Large businesses that are operating against an inflexible corporate strategy often look to national non-profits and blanket approaches for volunteerism, philanthropy and sourcing. However, place- focused community organizations, governments and other local leaders are exceptionally aware of populations, issues and historical context unique to their home – and are often already engaged in a collective impact approach. Meaningful social impact happens when companies understand their role in the ecosystem of community support and are able to leverage unique resources accordingly. The development of specific, shared-value programs and opportunities is not only a win-win for both organizations, but it is a win for those who need it the most.