GreenZone Hero: A Cause-Related Movement Improving Business For Companies That Recognize Veterans

Posted by John Krotec on Friday Nov 17, 2017 6:20 am

"GreenZone Hero: We’re Not Just Another One of Those (Whatever That Means)"

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/greenzone-hero-were-just-another-one-those-whatever-means-krotec/

We all know that conveying the proper message about our companies is everything to finding success in business. Proper messaging is critical for our survival. GreenZone Hero is finding out that in the military/veteran marketplace, it's even more important to have the right message. It’s been a challenge at times explaining our purpose. GreenZone Hero provides tangible tools and strategies that improve business for companies that recognize and honor veterans, active military and their families. Remarkably, it seems that whenever we even mention the words “military” or “veteran”, our prospective clients immediately think we are a non-profit entity. It can be difficult to get buy-in when the decision-maker views us as philanthropy with no significant ROI. We’ve heard, “Oh, you’re just another one of those” (whatever that means) or, “We’ve already donated to another veteran charity” (a good thing) or, “We don’t give to non-profits” (which are not bad business models, they’re just different from us). GreenZone Hero is a newer breed of corporation. We are a cause-marketing, for-profit company on a mission. We are creating a movement that promotes a beneficial social-cause; it’s a win-win for everyone involved. 

Most importantly, studies show that expenditures for cause-marketing have risen steadily since 2000, from $700M to $2.06B. And for those spending their money on cause- marketing, it can have a significant pay-off. 90% of customers are switching to cause-branded products and services. 97% of marketing executives now believe cause-marketing is not philanthropy but a valid business strategy. Since 2010, 66% of businesses now engage in cause-marketing. It can differentiate a company’s products and services. When quality and price is equivalent, social purpose is the number one deciding factor for shoppers globally. For visionary companies, cause-branded products and services can command a premium price. 42% of North American shoppers would pay extra for goods and services from companies committed to positive social impact. A new generation of shopper is demanding a new breed of company, ones like GreenZone Hero members. 64% of customers say simply giving money away isn’t enough; they want businesses to integrate social impact directly into their business models. 69% of millennials (a growing population of shoppers) worldwide want businesses to facilitate their involvement in addressing social challenges by supporting social-causes.

For true business visionaries (visit our website), it’s evident that a massive shift in consumer behavior has taken place in a very short period-of-time. There’s no doubt that having a clear social-cause strategy for your company will pay dividends no matter what side of the table you’re on. It’s one thing to say you’re ‘veteran’ or ‘military’ friendly, but it’s an entirely different thing when you join a growing number of like-minded, social-cause companies that feel veterans and their families are worth it. Doing that makes a serious statement about your company, too. 

Simply stated, GreenZone Hero is a cause-marketing company creating a social-cause movement that improves business for our clients. Our message is clear. We believe supporting veterans, active duty military and their families is extremely worthwhile, both intrinsically and commercially. Joining GreenZone Hero is not philanthropy. It is a bonafide business strategy. When companies team up together on a cause that has real value (in our case, supporting veterans and their families), we can create business value with a significant ROI. Becoming a GreenZone Hero member is not only an amazing opportunity, it can bring a higher profile to your company. So, enlist now, join our movement of social-cause companies supporting something hugely important. Let us help you raise the bar for your company and together we can watch your business grow.

 

 

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