Archive for November, 2010
To Lead or not to Lead
For companies around the world, being a world leader is probably a pipe dream for many, especially considering the way they operate and set their priorities. However, for some others it’s like comparing apples and oranges. These leaders are blazing a new path, one that’s based on corporate responsibility and the big picture. These organizations are carefully examining something we now call Social Return on Investment (SROI), not to be confused with ROI.
This is an evolving methodology, one that holds great potential for those companies wanting to make a difference in their communities. In fact, it reminds me of the CNN Heroes Special that aired recently and profiled 10 Everyday People Changing the World. Can you imagine this type of commitment in the corporate world? Well, many can and are moving in the right direction. These leaders are not only concerned with the bottom-line, they’re tapping into something much bigger than themselves. In fact, they are going above and beyond what most companies would ever dream of and this requires such attributes as vision, inspiration, imagination and dedication … just to name a few. This requires active engagement at many levels to be successful. More than anything, it’s about forging forward and never giving up on humanity, no matter how disturbing the issue.
In his book titled “The Empathic Civilization”, Jeremy Rifkin wrote about something called Service Learning, where millions of young people are now required to perform public service in neighbourhood organizations where they assist others in need and advance the quality of life of the community. He also writes ” the traditional assumption that knowledge is power and is used for personal gain is being subsumed by the notion that knowledge is an expression of the shared responsibilities for the collective well-being of humanity and the planet as a whole.”
As a Crime Prevention practitioner, I find this nothing less than remarkable and it encourages me to strive for better methods of being innovative in what I do for my community and for my clients. It’s new ideas such as SROI that motivate me and hopefully motivate others to become better business leaders. I challenge other businesses to explore how they can do more than simply turn a profit. Make no mistake it is our communities that truly sustain us from day to day and nourish each and every one of us. Giving has always been a greater cause!
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