{"id":59905,"date":"2024-01-15T00:03:54","date_gmt":"2024-01-15T05:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sogolytics.com\/blog\/?p=59905"},"modified":"2025-11-26T09:29:58","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T14:29:58","slug":"types-of-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sogolytics.com\/blog\/types-of-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Anybody Can Serve: Four Types of Service to Inspire Corporate Social Responsibility"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Everyone can be great because anybody can serve.”<\/p>\n

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While you may recognize this as an often-shared quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I love this line because it highlights a critical and often-overlooked aspect of service: Truly, anyone can do it.<\/p>\n

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As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and an AmeriCorps alum, I’m proud of the “big” service work I’ve done with long-term in-person service in the US and abroad. I’ve also served on student service learning boards, coordinated National Honor Society service projects, volunteered at literacy councils, delivered Meals on Wheels, completed community clean-up projects, joined and spoken at rallies, and supported numerous other organizations and causes.<\/p>\n

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Early in life I found value in service, and my experiences with Girl Scouts and National Honor Society (among many other influences!) reinforced this value that I carry with me. It’s no coincidence that at Sogolytics, I’m proud to support service as one of our core values.<\/p>\n

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\"sogood\"<\/p>\n

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Service matters<\/h2>\n

In a business sense, service is often equated with external customer service<\/a> or sometimes interdepartmental customer service<\/a>. A client calls, and you should be helpful to them. A colleague asks for help with a project, and you should work with and support them.<\/p>\n

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Beyond the “paying customers” and internal service asks, however, corporate social responsibility<\/a> programs can help to reinforce the value of service. More and more, customers do care about the practices of the brands they choose to do business with. “Doing good” statements must be followed up by “doing good” programs.<\/p>\n

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When someone asks you “How is your company doing good in the world?” — how will you answer?<\/p>\n

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Purpose before profit? The debate continues.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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SoGood<\/h2>\n

If you’re just getting started, you don’t need a fancy program name or logo. The most important thing is simply to do something. For years, we’ve done a wide range of volunteering and service projects, plus rolling out a policy that includes paid time off for volunteering.<\/p>\n

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Of course, over time, as your team and business grow, it can be helpful to develop — well, a program name and logo. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

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For us, it’s SoGood. As with so many things, it’s a work in progress, but I can tell you: I’m a big fan.<\/p>\n

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\"sogood\"<\/p>\n

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Four types of service<\/h2>\n

Beyond the idea that “anybody can serve”, it’s also important to recognize that there are a wide range of types of service. When you think of “community service”, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s picking up trash, helping an elder with groceries, or building a home or playground.<\/p>\n

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What is service? Doing what needs to be done.<\/p>\n

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While definitions vary, I’m partial to the service learning model that includes four types of service:<\/p>\n

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  1. Direct service<\/li>\n
  2. Indirect service<\/li>\n
  3. Advocacy<\/li>\n
  4. Research<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. Direct service opportunities<\/h3>\n

    You might think of direct service as the most “in-person” form of service. Here you’re working directly with or for those people who benefit from the service. Beyond people-focused activities, though, this category often includes direct service to animals and to specific places.<\/p>\n

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    Consider:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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