PrintIT Reseller - issue 66

VOX POP 01732 759725 46 ...continued Nick Dabanovic: “We have found that supporting charities has united our staff and brought together team members from various departments who would not necessarily have cause to interact on a regular basis. This undoubtedly has a great effect on the cohesiveness of the company benefitting us as well as the charities we support.” James Abrahart: “When we form charity partnerships our focus is always 100 per cent aimed at helping the most vulnerable people in our society. “From a business perspective we have found that charities often have like-minded partners, which has led to us generating new business, building up long-term customer relationships, and has also provided the opportunity to share and gather industry intelligence.” Glenn Kershaw: “Develop believes strongly in giving back to the community. CSR helps engender a strong sense of teamwork and positive values amongst staff, raising motivation and productivity levels. When staff see the management team leading from the front and exerting themselves physically for a charitable cause, it sets an example of can-do spirit for the greater good.” Mark Bailey: “We support the Brainwave Centre in Witham by providing them their printer and support free-of-charge. It’s something EBM has done for a long time. In straightforward terms there’s little direct business value. However, it does help us to be known in the community and reinforces our approach as a company that does business the right way.” Joe Doyle: “Our affiliation with GSF is not only a good thing in and of itself, but it also helps to boost staff morale and give our customers and employees confidence that we’re a business that honours its commitments. This ultimately means that we are better placed to retain our staff and customers, which in turn helps to grow the business.” Simone Hindmarch: “We have definitely won new business, and built stronger relationships with existing customers, through the Foundation. It is a unique proposition, having a social enterprise.” Nick Dabanovic: “We believe it is a hugely important factor now and as a Gold Investors in People company, we take our social responsibility very seriously, as do our employees. It is definitely a topic that has come to the fore in recent years and we have seen this not only in requests from our customers for information on our social responsibilities but also from potential employees who have commented that it is an important factor for them when choosing a company to join.” James Abrahart: “As the wealth and opportunity gaps in society seem to be growing wider it is becoming increasingly important to potential employees and business partners, that a company takes a strong stance on its social responsibility. It is higher on people’s agenda than ever before. The whole company strives to make sure we are the best version of ourselves every day.” Glenn Kershaw: “Customers and staff feel loyalty towards an organisation where they see that the profit motive is not the sole consideration. A business demonstrating a strong moral compass for good creates trust and commitment from all stakeholders - customers, employees, partners and the wider community.” Mark Bailey: “Social responsibility is another platform on which to differentiate ourselves. For staff, I think that being supported is an important part of happiness at work. At EBM, we will always assist our team in raising funds for charities they are passionate about. In terms of customers, it seems that larger clients expect some kind of CSR from their suppliers, but some suppliers treat it merely as a box-ticking exercise. Do I think that our approach to CSR wins us business on its own? No. Does it help decision-makers select the right firm to partner with? Absolutely.” Joe Doyle: “CSR has rapidly risen up the corporate agenda and customers and employees are applying more stringent standards and ethics to the businesses they work with. As such it pays to give back. Businesses are of course there to make money, but this cannot come at the expense of everything else and the social contract. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats. At a time when the number of people that donate to charities regularly is declining, corporate support for charities is more important than ever.” Simone Hindmarch: “Everyone we interview to join Commercial says that a massive pull has been the opportunity to work with the local community through the Foundation. This attracts right people to add to Commercial team – people who want to give back, go the extra mile and support others. It builds great team spirit and a wider sense of purpose in the business.” www.its-group.com www.altodigital.com www.dsales.eu www.ebmltd.co.uk www.annodata.co.uk www.commercial.co.uk Businesses are of course there to make money, but this cannot come at the expense of everything else and the social contract PrintIT Reseller: To what extent do you think customers (and employees) want to align themselves with organisations who place social responsibility high on the business agenda? PrintIT Reseller: What business value have you realised from partnering with a charity? Joe Doyle Mark Bailey