Red Deer College business instructor Dustin Quirk says you can “do well by doing good,” that community involvement and support for worthy causes are good for the bottom line.

Quirk was moderating a panel discussion about corporate social responsibility during a luncheon hosted by Volunteer Central and the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

Panellists included Marc Jerry, faculty member at RDC’s Donald School of Business; business consultant Sean Miles; and Mark Kovats, CSR advisory for the Calgary startup company, Goodpin.

They say research shows a correlation between strong companies and those that practise CSR, although it’s inconclusive if either one leads to the other.

Still, according to Miles, businesses that give back build a strong workplace culture that attracts and keeps good employees. “Drones don’t perform as well,” he said.

Millennials expect businesses to make a difference in their communities, Kovats added.

For those looking to get involved in their communities, start small and tap into expertise from organizations like Volunteer Central, says Quirk.

He says contributions can be as simple as giving workers time to volunteer.

Another thing that helps, paying a living wage, said Jerry.

Nov. 28 marks Giving Tuesday, immediately following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when charities, business and individuals focus on supporting good causes.