PrintIT Reseller - issue 65

01732 759725 VOX POP 42 People feel good about giving, so encouraging charity work is a great way for us to boost wellbeing, while contributing towards some fantastic causes Charitable giving has undergone a seismic change, it’s no longer just about raising money, but more about creating strategic partnerships that benefit both the business and the charity Partnering with charities Jeremy Spencer, Marketing Director, Toshiba TEC : “At Toshiba, we hold weekly draws where employees have the opportunity to nominate a charity. Donations to these charities are then made. On a wider note, Toshiba pioneered the Carbon Zero scheme, which offsets the manufacture and use of our products through a range of Gold Standard schemes, as a means of tying CSR more closely to the business and our customers.” Sarah Mackay, Head of Operations, UTAX (UK) : “We have a number of charities that are close to our hearts at UTAX, the closest being Bloodwise, which funds research into the UK’s third-biggest cancer killer and provides support for those affected by the disease. Back in 2014 we lost a beloved colleague to leukaemia and since then have run multiple fundraising golf days and partner events to raise money for the charity in her memory. “Aside from the fundraising events that we organise, we also run the UTAX Community Print Project, a free printing service, to be used for community events and charitable activities across the UK, on an “as agreed” basis. Designed specifically to help charities and local-not-for-profit organisations, such as village, town and parish event organisers, with little or no access to printing facilities, the project enables them to have publicity material or public information notices printed. “UTAX formed a CSR partnership with NCT (The National Childbirth Trust) back in September 2017 where we give the opportunity for three local branches, often with little to no budget for promotion of events and branch activities, to be chosen to receive complimentary printing every month, courtesy of the Community Print Project. This offers the ability to produce literature in a variety of sizes and styles, to assist with the promotion of branch events and general information. To date we have supported over 50 of the 300+ branches across the UK!” Adrienne Topping, Group Brand & Marketing Communications Manager, Sharp Business Systems UK : “For CSR to really embed in any organisation, it must be more than a corporate charter or mission statement. To become part of a company’s culture and DNA, it must be lived and breathed throughout the entire business. “This means every single employee has an important part to play. Whether that’s getting involved in a dress down day, running a marathon, baking cakes for a bake sale, CSR is totally inclusive – and that’s what makes it so fantastic, valuable and worthwhile. We are very excited to be re-launching a new CSR programme for Sharp UK later this year. It combines everything we have learnt from years of successful charity projects at both Midshire and Sharp. From breaking a Guinness world record, to one of our engineers building a school in Ghana, to our annual local charity days, we have raised huge sums of money and had a lot of fun doing it too!” James Turner, Regional Sales Manager, Y Soft Corporation : “Giving back to those who need it most is one of the most rewarding experiences someone can do, so it’s vital that we do this often at Y Soft. “We have four social responsibility programmes which are designed to inspire social good, transparency and business conditions that enable companies to thrive in a competitive environment. They include legislation, PrintIT Reseller: Developing a charity partnership can be hugely rewarding, with benefits extending beyond simply ticking the CSR box. How have you embedded charitable giving into your business? Jeremy Spencer Sarah Mackay