Lars Voedisch, Founder and Managing Director of PRecious Communications was featured in Business Times’ “Views from the Top” section on November 25, 2019, titled Commitment and Conviction. The question was – What opportunities and challenges are there in incorporating giving in your business?
Here is Lars’ comment as featured in The Business Times’ Views from the Top
“We believe that giving should not be viewed as a transactional exercise but be incorporated within the very fabric of the business. Giving helps businesses broaden your horizon and creates opportunities to support a particular segment of society, working towards the betterment of both parties.
At PRecious, we balance our resources to work with organisations whose values resonate with our own across multiple initiatives. For example, we supported Relay Majulah pro bono in their efforts to bring together runners that, collectively, form a melting pot of culture, language, religion and experiences in support of the President’s Challenge. At the same time, our International Students Exchange programme has helped more than ten students from across the world to experience working in Singapore and bringing fresh perspectives to our team. Also, we have partnered with several education partners and startup communities to strengthen their respective communities and guide them to better their communications and marketing skills.”
Why Are We Talking About Corporate Giving?
National giving movement Giving Week 2019 is returning for its fifth year on December 1-7.
Part of a global movement that kicks off the year-end festive season, the initiative celebrates the spirit of giving, by rallying individuals, businesses and non-profits to share their “time, talent, treasure and voice”. In Singapore, the Week extends the International Day of Giving, #GivingTuesday, which in the US is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. Giving Week is helmed by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC).
To an extent, giving has become embedded in Singapore’s culture, and many companies recognise the value in giving, embracing it as part of corporate responsibility. According to a survey by NVPC, more than half of businesses here engage in corporate giving, though only 24% of them do so on a regular basis. For many, particularly in times of economic uncertainty, practising charity and philanthropy may take a back seat. On the other hand, some firms have integrated giving — in its various forms — in their business.
