PrintIT Reseller - issue 65

VOX POP PRINT IT RESELLER.UK 43 continued... such as The RoseHill Youth Centre, ABC to Read and African Brazilian Arts & Culture Executive Institute. “In addition to this financial support, we’ve provided more than 100,000 hours of volunteer time. Many non-profit organisations, colleges and universities have received direct financial support in the form of strategic investments, matching gifts or community involvement activities of Xerox people.” Gillian Anderson, Employee Experience Manager, Konica Minolta : “Today, successful charity partnerships are less about fundraising or writing a cheque and more about how the two organisations can work together to make a real difference to society. Designed to drive change within the business and establish a culture of inclusion, Konica Minolta has focused on charity partnerships which meet the needs of our employees, customers, suppliers and local communities. “We have established multiple ways for our employees to give not only their money but their time and energy to support our charity partners. Through our benefits platform employees can schedule regular donations to one or multiple charities, this allows them to respond quickly to charity campaigns or emergency appeals of their choice. We offer volunteer opportunities such as tree planting with The Woodlands Trust and also the opportunity to arrange or take part in organised charity fundraising activities such as the Three Peaks, quiz nights and many others.” watchdogs, civic society and digital transformation and eGovernment. All four pillars play a role in helping communities across the globe but the civic society programme is specifically dedicated to charity. Through this pillar, employees are encouraged to make a company-funded donation to a charity (a non-profit/non-government organisation or natural person) of their choice individually or as a group in line with the Y Soft CSR Fund Statute.” Sam Johnson, Community Engagement Manager, Brother UK : “Having a happy workforce is central to our company culture. People feel good about giving, so encouraging charity work is a great way for us to boost wellbeing, while contributing towards some fantastic causes. This is why we give our employees the opportunity to give back time to the community from their working week. “Our staff get to choose the causes we support every year – whatever they may be. This helps them to get stuck- in and to really feel engaged with the company’s overall charity and community work. “We also lead from the top with our charity giving. Our directors, including Managing Director Phil Jones, are active and passionate fundraisers. Last year, Phil rode the whole 1,135km Tour of Britain course a day ahead of the professionals to help fundraise for the Dave Rayner Fund, an organisation that supports young British cyclists looking to start a professional career in the sport.” Carlo Longhi, Director and General Manager, Indirect Channels UK and Ireland, Xerox : “Xerox invests in the communities where we work for reasons beyond fulfilling our obligation as corporate citizens. We also do it because it makes our company stronger and more competitive. “Our charity investment strategy aims to deliver the greatest impact possible for every pound spent. Since 2017, we’ve invested more than £5 million into the non-profit sector globally. At its core, Xerox philanthropy efforts focus on four strategic areas; science and technology, strong vibrant communities, education and workforce preparedness and disaster relief. Globally, we have supported The American Red Cross hurricane responses and within the UK, the Xerox (UK) Trust has supported charitable organisations Jeremy Spencer: “Toshiba salespeople act as ambassadors for the Carbon Zero scheme, and they promote the great work that it does to wider audiences. They ensure our customers have access to the projects we are involved in and encourage them to get involved in its ongoing efforts to manage climate change.” Sarah Mackay: “The team love an opportunity to take on a challenge and have been involved in a variety of events, from our yearly Christmas Jumper Days to a 30-mile night trek from Henley to Oxford for the British Heart Foundation that myself and two other team members undertook back in 2017! We try and encourage any kind of charitable and fundraising activities within the company and our team are always up for doing fun (and sometimes crazy!) things for a good cause. Not only does it raise much needed funds for some truly deserving charities and organisations, but it’s a fantastic opportunity for team building and reinforcing working relationships, outside of the office.” Adrienne Topping: “Our employees are very involved, both on a local level and in our national campaigns too. We have a really dedicated team of CSR champions that work with us to keep the activity momentum going. They feedback To become part of a company’s culture and DNA, CSR must be lived and breathed throughout the entire business PrintIT Reseller: How do your employees get involved? Adrienne Topping