On March 8th, women in 30 countries are supporting a day of solidarity by asking women and the people who support them to not shop or work (if they can afford to) in solidarity of casting light on the buying and working power of women. It is an effort to show the power of women’s support and shopping habits that make companies strong by reducing sales and productivity on International Women’s Day. The organizers hope this will cement the connection between supporting women’s causes like equal work for equal pay (see the stats to support this issue), childcare for working women, and a woman’s access to birth control her personal freedom.
As a company you may be not supportive of a day of no
shopping as it will reduce your bottom line that day. However if you are thinking long term, there may be a way for your company to thrive by supporting this cause. Here are a few ideas:
- Wear red on March 8th and remind your team to do the same and go here to learn more about the event.
- If you are a Woman Owned Business post it proudly as organizers suggest any shopping take place at small women-owned businesses.
- Recognize the day by posting & adding signs at your business that celebrate International Women’s Day on Wed, March 8 and that you support women.
- Consider donating some of your proceeds that day to support equal work for equal pay or other organizations that support women’s economic strength and choices.
- Review your business and hiring practices that day to ensure you are not discriminating between the compensation you offer men and women for the same job.
- Add a sales day during the week or month that celebrates your loyal female shoppers and offers a discount (20% to represent the gender gap) or a donation to their causes.
- Offer to let your employees take time off to support the cause if your business can afford to do so. If not, offer a celebration (free lunch, donation or a meeting to air concerns). This helps your employees feel included and valued by their employer.
- If you are open, consider charging women who shop at your business a discount that day or this week, that’ reflective of the difference in wages, roughly 80% of a man’s wage. See stats here.
- Post and support the cause using your social media and hashtags that include #WomensMarch, #DayWithoutAWoman, #BeBoldForChange, #EqualWorkEqualPay and any others to connect the conversations and connect your company to supporting your buyers. Get more facts here: http://bit.ly/IntlWomen2017day
- Understand that anyone not shopping on that day or not showing up at work are not fighting you, they are standing up for what they believe and trying to be counted in dollars to the country. So don’t take it personal, recognize the integrity it takes to stand up.
For more information on ideas to grow your business and keep connections with your buyers , contact Tailor-Made Advertising for a one-on-one online or in person consulting appointment to review and improve your efforts, or to help you manage your Email Marketing program or other online marketing efforts. For more information about Liz or Tailor-Made Advertising, visit tailormadeadvertising.com. To schedule Liz Harsch as a speaker for SCORE, SBDC, Constant Contact, Chambers of Commerce and Small Biz Groups on Traditional and Online Marketing, Social Media, Analytics or Email Marketing for your organization, email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net or call us at 310-791-6300.
