Helping out can bring dual benefits

Jul 22 2003 By Bill Midgley, The Journal

The number of appeals which are made to companies to assist with community associations and charitable needs seem to be on the increase.

This may be the result of the continual cut-back in Government funding for so many worthy causes, but also it is no doubt because of the proliferation of such organisations, all of which serve a need in the broader community.

There is obviously a limit to how business can help, although many do to a great extent, perhaps the most noticeable in our own area being the Northern Rock's magnificent contribution through its charitable foundation.

Perhaps not all appeals to help, however, are founded on sound charitable needs, which is why many companies tend to say no to everything, which means that the good and the bad suffer together.

Business, however, does have a part to play in the community, and has a responsibility for the community in which its workforce lives and from which it often draws its business, and subsequent profits.

Involvement does not always have to be cash based, and a prime example of this was brought to my attention during the past week.

One of our major local companies encourages its employees to take up to 12 days paid leave per year - that is in addition to their normal holiday entitlement - to assist community organisations and charities with some of their needs.

This may take the form of a "challenge" where a group of employees identify a problem (perhaps a redecoration or a reorganisation that may be needed within an institution) and set about doing what is necessary to satisfy that need.

An excellent way of practical involvement which assures that assistance is only given where it is really required, and marginalises those who may seek to abuse.

Assistance to such deserving groups is often seen as being philanthropic.

And whilst that is no bad motive, companies should not underestimate the return that comes to their business.

Involvement of employees in the broader community should be part of the training process for any individual.

An appreciation of what the community needs makes us all better citizens, as does direct experience of how individuals can really make a difference.

Perhaps more importantly, however, to individual businesses is the fact that involvement in other organisations tends to broaden the experience and knowledge of everyone concerned.

It may sharpen up management skills, it certainly helps inter-communication skills which are necessary in most organisations, and perhaps may also be a way of relieving the stress that seems to bedevil all too many members of our respective workforces.

Business, and particularly many small companies, have their hands full with trying to ensure that they will still be in existence for the foreseeable future, and often tend to reject out of hand approaches for help.

Perhaps, however, the next time that all of our businesses receive such an approach we might just step back and look at what other benefits there are to us as well as to the community with our involvement, be it financial, managerial (not to be underestimated), secondment, or merely decorating the walls of a much needed community centre.