PPB April 2019

Another consideration when deciding on partners is determining whether it makes more sense to focus on a global or local cause. Working with an organization like Susan G. Komen for the Cure can add name recognition to your efforts and also ensures your work is going toward a legitimate operation, but for some suppliers and distributors, working with lesser- known organizations can have a bigger impact. “We feel that smaller organizations need both funds and exposure,” says Rod Brown, CFO for Pleasanton, California-based distributor MadeToOrder, who has traveled to Africa at least five times in the past decade to bring food and supplies to orphanages and schools in need. “If we could introduce them to our peers, vendors and clients, then perhaps they could benefit from these eyeballs on what they’re doing.” There are benefits to both large and small operations, so find what works best for your goals and your company. Once amission has been identified and excitement has been generated, it’s time to follow through and put CSR into action. Create a calendar with regular events so the program remains top-of-mind within the company, and somore people have more opportunities to contribute. To keep employees interested andmotivated, circulate updates about the CSR program’s progress, highlighting coworkers who have gone above and beyond in support of the pledge. If you’re asking people to volunteer, be flexible and accommodating with their schedules, and allow them to log hours on the project during their normal shift—if you’re asking them to give, you have to be willing to give a little as well. When you’re developing your program, be sure to keep it fun. Coworkers will bemoremotivated to help if they enjoy doing the work. Not only will this keep the team invested, it’s also good for the people and organizations being served. Whether you’re serving food at a soup kitchen, working with patients at a children’s hospital or raisingmoney to combat lifelong illness, your workmay be themost positivemoment of another person’s day, so stay energized. Corporate social responsibility is about helping other people, somake sure to put those people first. Doing good feels good, so themore your programhelps others, themore your teamwill get out of it. “It is difficult tomeasure this, but I feel that themost visible sign [that CSR programs work] is through our coworkers’ pride and self-esteem,” Piscitelli says. “We all are happy to be a part of something greater and to have the opportunity to enrich someone else’s life.” Kyle A. Richardson is a writer and editor living in Philadelphia. He is the former editor-in-chief of PromoMarketing magazine. www.karichardson.com. FEATURE | Built On Purpose 844-952-7324 info@change.com.co For Screen Printing For Embroidery 19 W. 34th St., Ste. 1018 New York, NY 10001 Call us : 347 - 767 - 6728 | Fax: 648 - 513 - 4265 Web: www.change.com.co 28 | APRIL 2019 |