By Hélène Perras, DMV, MBA
Undoubtedly, the Millennials and Z generation (born between 1996 and 2010) need to give meaning to their work, and with good reason! Gone are the decades of working without purpose or reason. Employees seek ways to invest in their work and contribute to a more significant cause. Companies must find ways to motivate their teams and unite them around a joint "mission."
Collecting donations for an animal or animal-related cause is the most unifying way that I have had the chance to experience in the EUTHABAG team. We have even refined it over the years!
Need a reason? Here you go.
Pride and commitment: Contributing to an animal cause can benefit the team and motivate them. Employees are proud to work for a company that cares about the protection and welfare of animals. In addition, participation in an animal cause can help employees feel more connected to their daily tasks, whether or not they have direct contact with animals.
Build skills: Collecting donations for an animal cause can improve collaboration and communication among team members. Employees work together to organize events and collect donations, which requires effective project management. Participation in these activities fosters teamwork and cooperation.
Prepare for advancement: You can develop leadership skills and network even better! This is always useful on a LinkedIn profile or if you aim for a position with more responsibilities. It is an informal way to prove what you can do to the team!
Company culture and talent retention: Finally, picking up donations for an animal cause can help strengthen the company culture. Companies that care about animals and encourage employee participation in this type of activity can position themselves as leaders in social responsibility. Employees feel more engaged and connected to their company, two significant factors in talent retention.
Choose the right charity or cause
Animal causes are many and varied, so involving the team in its selection is essential. This will allow them to understand their convictions better. This process must be authentic and sincere! Very importantly, we are looking for an action that will have a tangible impact on the animal community, and that will be ethical. Unfortunately, there are scams or causes where animals are not treated as well as they claim to be. Companies can consult with local governmental organizations or their veterinarians to find animal causes that need this support.
Our team experience
At EUTHABAG, the pet body bag, we support the non-profit environmental foundation Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). 1% of our sales are donated to them. NCC works to protect Canada's most precious natural environments. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped protect more than 15 million hectares of ecologically valuable land across the country.
With rapid urbanization, wetlands that are essential to animal diversity are disappearing. If they disappear, it will eventually be our turn. To protect them is to defend ourselves. It is to give them justice because they do not deserve what happens to them. 1% is also distributed within the team for fairness and to inspire individuals to give back to a foundation and to their colleagues.
One of our colleagues, Alexandra Yaksich, also made us proud when she worked tirelessly for many months to abolish cat declawing in Quebec by 2022! Her activism proved that every action counts and nothing are impossible if you put in the time, effort and a little strategy!
Now it's your turn: what cause touches you and motivates you? What action do you take to strengthen the bonds of your team?
