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"CSR catches on among S'pore companies - CNA 24 April 2014
SINGAPORE: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is catching on among companies in Singapore.
Figures show that CSR participation has gone up over the past few years.
A lack of manpower, tight budgets, and worries about expansion – these appear to be a common refrain from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore.
But these problems are not standing in the way of some companies that feel there is more to business than just the bottom line.
Traditionally, companies fulfil their charitable intent through corporate donations.
But for others, CSR is serious business.
Real estate company HSR International Realtors has a dedicated team of staff and student volunteers who deliver cooked meals and food rations weekly to the disadvantaged.
The benefits run both ways.
There are others who are extending their CSR efforts beyond the country.
HSL Constructor is a marine civil engineering company which started CSR efforts in 2010.
It has gone one step further to show staff how seriously it takes CSR. The company has set up a sustainability and philanthropic unit, to look at CSR in a holistic and purposeful manner.
Anecdotal evidence showed the adoption of CSR by SMEs has gone up by an average 13 per cent yearly since 2011."
CSR has been around for at least more than a decade among the global MNCs. It is interesting to learn that SMEs in Singapore has picked up on this initiative.
Lessons for me are:
1. it has to come from the heart. The senior leadership in the business MUST be passionate about certain causes that they want to pour some of their investment dollars into. To make it an one-off effort or event is easy. To make it a sustainable one will require just as much creativity as running a successful sustainable business!;
2. while it would have been lovely to have 'truly passionate' CSR companies, it is acceptable to have 'rudimentary but sustained' CSR companies that provide services like: monthly visit to an old folks home or handicapped center or abused and disadvantaged children home. These services are needed and any sustained efforts are most welcome. That can be a small start with deploying the companies' staffs and money;
3. as for helping the disadvantaged to help themselves with knowledge and skills learning and development efforts, and even providing employment ultimately, it will take the truly creative and committed ones to make it a success. CSR can, though not the intention, be a social enterprise effort if the companies so wished. At the same time, the level of skills, investment and commitment will be at a totally different higher level. That would be the ultimate dream comes true.
May this reporting NOT be just a PR stunt but a REAL trend developing in Singapore. With charitable acts by the companies with their staffs involved. Maybe we can really kindle the charitable spirit in a sustainable manner. That can only be good for the nation, and our people.
Figures show that CSR participation has gone up over the past few years.
A lack of manpower, tight budgets, and worries about expansion – these appear to be a common refrain from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore.
But these problems are not standing in the way of some companies that feel there is more to business than just the bottom line.
Traditionally, companies fulfil their charitable intent through corporate donations.
But for others, CSR is serious business.
Real estate company HSR International Realtors has a dedicated team of staff and student volunteers who deliver cooked meals and food rations weekly to the disadvantaged.
The benefits run both ways.
There are others who are extending their CSR efforts beyond the country.
HSL Constructor is a marine civil engineering company which started CSR efforts in 2010.
It has gone one step further to show staff how seriously it takes CSR. The company has set up a sustainability and philanthropic unit, to look at CSR in a holistic and purposeful manner.
Anecdotal evidence showed the adoption of CSR by SMEs has gone up by an average 13 per cent yearly since 2011."
CSR has been around for at least more than a decade among the global MNCs. It is interesting to learn that SMEs in Singapore has picked up on this initiative.
Lessons for me are:
1. it has to come from the heart. The senior leadership in the business MUST be passionate about certain causes that they want to pour some of their investment dollars into. To make it an one-off effort or event is easy. To make it a sustainable one will require just as much creativity as running a successful sustainable business!;
2. while it would have been lovely to have 'truly passionate' CSR companies, it is acceptable to have 'rudimentary but sustained' CSR companies that provide services like: monthly visit to an old folks home or handicapped center or abused and disadvantaged children home. These services are needed and any sustained efforts are most welcome. That can be a small start with deploying the companies' staffs and money;
3. as for helping the disadvantaged to help themselves with knowledge and skills learning and development efforts, and even providing employment ultimately, it will take the truly creative and committed ones to make it a success. CSR can, though not the intention, be a social enterprise effort if the companies so wished. At the same time, the level of skills, investment and commitment will be at a totally different higher level. That would be the ultimate dream comes true.
May this reporting NOT be just a PR stunt but a REAL trend developing in Singapore. With charitable acts by the companies with their staffs involved. Maybe we can really kindle the charitable spirit in a sustainable manner. That can only be good for the nation, and our people.
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