For some companies, the old model of "cheque
book charity" - simply contributing money to
good causes - has yielded in recent years to giving
programs that tie donations of time, money and gifts-in-kind
to defined business goals and desired benefits.
Your business can join the many companies that have
reaped the market share, human resource and public
relation advantages that this approach offers.
Other companies see a clear connection between
their health and the health of the communities in
which they do business. Corporate giving in this
case is not just a matter of conscience: it is also
a matter of understanding the fundamental congruence
between business and community goals.
We would like to share with you a short case study
and show you the benefits of partnering Boo in its
goal to help the children of Africa.
Cisco Systems, Inc. is the worldwide leader in
networking for the Internet, I guess most of you
have heard of them. Cisco provides solutions for
transporting data, voice and video within buildings,
across campuses, or around the world.
Cisco took the step of setting up the Cisco academy
in 1997. They used old IT equipment and got staff
to provide the expertise in an online educational
process. Although there were local staff on the
ground, Cisco sent out their own staff every quarter
for a couple of months to provide hands-on support.
Cisco's
approach was driven by a simple vision: they wanted
to do their part in building stronger, more productive
global communities.
They believe that healthy, self-sustaining communities
arise when every individual has the means to live,
the opportunity to learn, and the chance to share
those gifts with others.
As a result, they have established the following
goals:
