“The survey of 1,000 people found 75% of millennials would take a pay cut to work for a responsible company, and 83% would be more loyal to a business that enables them to contribute to solving social and environmental problems.” (TheGuardian.com)
Spectra360 volunteered time with Operation Gratitude recently. Several of the Spectra360 employees spent time assembling care kits, making paracord bracelets, stuffing Battalion Buddy bears, and writing letters for United States servicemembers and their families, first responders, and veterans. These packages will be delivered to troops deployed worldwide in the hopes of bringing comfort to those who have sacrificed so much for us, as well as to let them know that they are appreciated and remembered back home.
We had so much fun at this event, working together as a team, getting out of the standard work environment, and giving back to those that have sacrificed so much for our country. Although this was our first time running an event like this, we have every intention of partnering with Operation Gratitude again. Yes, we are proud of the work we did that day, but what we hadn’t considered was how much we, as an organization would benefit from stepping outside of the office as a team to improve our corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Here are some of the reasons you may not have considered to improve your company’s corporate social responsibility.
Bringing a group of people together that don’t work closely together enhances camaraderie.
People in Accounting may not have much opportunity to get to know their fellow employees in the warehouse, but during a CSR event, they could sit next to each other and work through problems together. They can grasp a better understanding of what each other’s work is like and perhaps help brainstorm, or at least be more empathetic, to issues that arise in each other’s daily work life.
Giving back enhances gratitude.
During a CSR event, you get an understanding of the hardships of others or the sacrifices that have been made on your behalf. This leads easily to a sense of gratitude, for your career, for your loved ones, and for your situation. Sharing stories with your teammates that you wouldn’t normally share will, once again, build a sense of loyalty to the team.
The networking opportunities abound when you are proud of the work you do.
Getting your company outside of the office opens up the brand to more publicity, more awareness of your company and its values, opportunities to hire employees and more chance to create business opportunities. Branding can also be enhanced by social media as a result of CSR events, as employees share their experience on social media
Spectra360 employees are proud of the time they spent at our latest event. We certainly were not thinking of the ways that our event would enhance our business at the time, but now that we have completed the first of these events, we can’t help but feel like more companies should be encouraging CSR opportunities across the board.
Footnote: Why giving back is the best way forward for businesses
About Operation Gratitude:
Operation Gratitude, a 501(c)(3), volunteer-based organization, annually sends 250,000+ care packages to Veterans, New Recruits, First Responders, Wounded Heroes, Caregivers, and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed overseas and their families waiting at home. Each package is filled with food, entertainment, hygiene and hand-made items, as well as personal letters of support. Operation Gratitude’s mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of the Military and First Responder communities and provide volunteer opportunities for civilians anywhere in America to express their appreciation to all who serve our nation. Each package contains donated product valued between $50 and $100 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude has mobilized more than 350,000 volunteers to ship more than 2 Million Care Packages. Learn more about Operation Gratitude on their website: www.operationgratitude.com
About Spectra360
Spectra360 works with logistics companies worldwide to provide the best employees, whether on a Contract, Temp to Hire, Direct Hire or Managed Services basis. We provide the best candidates within the professional services arena, commercial drivers, and shipping/ receiving staff. We are experts at integrating candidates into project teams seamlessly because we focus on finding the best fit for your needs, both as it pertains to skills and culture.
If you need help finding quality candidates, give us a call today: 888.290.5908
