Although I’m a business coach, I am also a dog lover. Big time! It doesn’t matter what type of dog – large, small, pedigree or bitzer (don’t really like the word ‘mutt’) – most dogs are awesome. There are lots of great reasons to have a dog in your business or office. Check out below; I’ve given you 12+1 reasons a dog can be exceedingly useful in your business.
A Dog Can Help Your Business
Mascot or PR Purposes
Your dog may be the face (or co-face) of your business and essentially act as a mascot for your business. People love babies and dogs, so having your pooch as your mascot may engage your clients more. You can use them for PR purposes too – but I will say, don’t just get a dog to be your mascot; get them first because you’ll love them and care for them and the PR is just a side benefit.
Content for Social Media
For social media, especially Facebook, your ‘friends’ don’t always want to see the hard sell, business promo and generally your business focus; they also want to see the personal side of you, and if you don’t want to share what you had for breakfast (I rarely do, unless it’s to promote another business), then dogs are great visual content to get social media engagement.
They Can Sell!
If you’ve a pet related product or service, then your fur baby can make an excellent model for your products or services. In my online pet store, my buddy Caesar (and grand puppy Theo) are both used extensiviely for selling. In fact, both are used as product testers to ensure product suitability and quality for 4BIGDOGS.
Exercise
Your four-legged friend is sure to increase your steps – actually that’s a statistical fact: Dog owners do more steps than non-dog owners. This means you’ll get more exercise and we all know that’s good for you. A healthy business is more likely to have a healthy business owner, so look after yourself, so you can look after your business.
Social Connector
Dogs are fantastic to make connections to people. With Mia (who is the model for this cover photo), I am always stopping to talk to people, often strangers who comment about her and want to have a pat. Even just stopping for your dog to say hello to another dog on your walk, means you’re more likely to speak too. Actually, your dog can be a great excuse to get out, go to the park or connect with someone for ‘puppy play’ or join a dog obedience club.
Dogs Teach Us Routine
Those of you who own a dog know that dogs (like children) thrive on routine. How many times have I been working at my computer and 5pm rolls around and my pooch starts to get restless and even paw at me? It’s time to stop work, go for a walk and finish up for the day.
Regular Breaks
Even during the day, a dog’s presence helps us to take mini breaks – which we all know helps us to be more productive and effective in the workplace. When we take a short break, we return sharper, more focussed and recharged. That mini break doesn’t have to be a trip to the kitchen for a coffee or chocolate, but could be a healthy throw of a ball or pat of a dog.
Drawcard for New Workers
In fact, workplaces that allow workers to bring in their dogs are often sought after. If you’re looking for a great reason to attract great people, then consider what you can offer. The businesses which allow flexible work hours, working from home or allowing them to bring in their pets are the businesses that attract personnel.
Reduced Team Absenteeism
Dogs are known to reduce absenteeism and gives your team work-life balance. As I said above, people want to work at a place that meets their needs, makes them happy and gives them a balance in their life and dogs are one of those aspects that give balance, wellness and happiness. Workers who feel valued and have that balance are more likely to stay and less likely to be sick (genuine or fake).
Stress Reliever
Dogs are well-known to reduce human stress and lower blood pressure. Business owners have statistically 3-4% more stress than the average worker, so we, more than others, need a great stress reliever. When you pat a dog, it releases oxycontin and serotonin – not just for you, but also for your pet.
Working Dog
Don’t forget the dog who truly works. There are Police K9s, military dogs, seeing eye dogs, drug sniffing dogs and many, many other dogs who are workers. These dogs help in real and practical ways and often protect the humans they work with.
Companionship for Solo Entrepreneurs
For those of you in business, working solo and likely at home, it can be pretty lonely. A dog in your workplace will be a companion you can talk to – and as an added bonus, they don’t talk back! They keep us company and I will say, can be a critical component of a solo operator’s business.
Mental Health Support
For some workers and business owners, there are instances of extreme stress, distress, anxiety and mental health issues. A dog can (amongst other things) help with mental health wellness and offer support to people. Check out this website I came across: https://www.minddog.org.au/. A dog might also be companionship or service other purposes, such as those who suffer from epilepsy, or other more serious health issues. In work and life, dogs can be exceedingly helpful.
As a business coach, operating Australia wide, I work with small to medium-sized businesses to help them start, setup, grow and succeed. Primarily, I work with service-based businesses, including:
- Professional Services
- Medical & Allied Health Services (including Animal Wellness)
- Trade & Construction Services.
With qualifications in Accounting, Marketing, Training, Small Business Management and being an Accredited Mental Health First Aider, I combine these skills with over 30 years of practical real-world experience, helping business owners in all areas of their business. If you’d like to learn more, or would like me to email you some package pricing, just reach out to me here. My passion is your potential!
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