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What would you call a company that turns every day consumer products into shelter for battered women, supplemental school lunches and job training for the homeless? The company is called Raendance and it was founded and nurtured by technology executives who embrace Ben Franklin's practice of "Do well by doing good."
Several successful companies have accelerated consumer use of online auctions by provided value-added seller services. They've accomplished this by opening store front product drop-off locations and warehouse processing facilities to efficiently aggregate, sell and distribute products on behalf of consumers who use their services. Raendance, a California corporation, has submitted patent applications and begun a unique service that takes efficiency several steps beyond current offerings.
The Raendance service enables employees of participating corporations to conveniently sell products online by aggregating goods where people are certain to find convenience -- their workplace. Further, those employees may donate any portion of the sale of their product to qualified nonprofit organizations, providing needed money to nonprofits and creating tax deductions for themselves.
Raendance also provides a service for nonprofit organizations which allows them to solicit products directly from donors and have Raendance use their expertise to liquidate the products via online auctions.
The business strength and protection for Raendance is significant. First, after reviewing current offerings and researching issued patents, the company has submitted a provisional patent on the business process. Second, the company has developed relationships with companies and nonprofits that provide a direct relationship to Raendance's target audience -- participating corporations. Finally, by providing an efficient and convenient process that allows employees of participating corporations easy access to Raendance's professional online auction sellers, motivation to sell increases substantially. In addition, requiring employees of participating corporations to commit at least five percent of their products' sales to donation, assures that executives of participating corporations are motivated to initiate and continue a program with Raendance.
The benefits to nonprofit organizations and employees of corporations who participate in the program are obvious. Nonprofit organizations establish a much needed new flow of funds to supplement their current fundraising efforts with almost no draw on internal resources. Individuals who allow Raendance to sell their products may receive a percentage of the sale of each product, will receive a receipt for an IRS deduction, and will feel good about their participation. What about corporations who facilitate the program on behalf of their employees? Corporations who are seeking benevolent community practices and image enhancement can benefit greatly. Corporate citizens that participate receive increased acknowledgment through the media, increasing their market exposure. This also leads to other benefits such as increasing the desire to work for the company and increasing partnerships with other philanthropically minded companies.
The founders, employees and advisors of Raendance invite participation from companies, nonprofit organizations and individuals who understand that profit can be made when we "Do well by doing good."
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