I recently had the opportunity to do a guest post on the Social Entrepreneurship blog on Change.org, discussing trends in social entrepreneurship and describing UniversalGiving’s model as an example.  I wanted to share these thoughts with you here as well.

Social Entrepreneurship is at an exciting stage. We’re seeing social entrepreneurship classes and soon departments — at almost every major university.  So what are some of the ways we can examine this concept of social entrepreneurship, so it lives up to our standards in providing socially conscious services, and financial sustainability?

When we look at social entrepreneurship, it’s a balance between nonprofit/forprofit structures, services and principles. For example, your structure could be a forprofit or nonprofit organization.  Your services need to have some element of public service or a socially conscious product.   If you believe your service is of value (and as a social entrepreneur, you do), strive to find a way to monetize it. Some part of your services needs to generate revenue.  Finally, whatever the structure, lead and manage with forprofit principles of watching your bottom line, having fine-tuned operations and business units. Equally important, demonstrate the heart and care to take care of your team.  No matter how efficient you get as a social entrepreneur, don’t forget this important investment in people.

To give you a practical example, I’ve highlighted some of our vision at UniversalGiving. UniversalGiving’s my second venture, and I’ve structured it in a way that can provide maximum benefit for our communities.  While I volunteered all across the world with the impoverished communities, I saw we needed to get funds directly to those leaders on the ground who were most effective.  At UniversalGiving, we see the world with 50% of people living on $800 annual income, and it’s quite simply, not acceptable to us.  Therefore, our first goal is to get as many people giving and volunteering as we possibly can, so we can get as many resources possible to these deserving communities.

To increase giving and volunteering, UniversalGiving must first create trust.  Our web-based platform provides quality giving and volunteering opportunities in more than 70 countries across the world. All of our projects are vetted through a Quality Model to ensure the most effective, trustworthy philanthropy possible. Unique to UniversalGiving, we take no cut on donations.

The model above is based on what I would call “purity.”   We’ve set about establishing our brand of transparency in three very important ways.  First, we set ourselves up as a nonprofit.  Our primary motive is to serve our communities, not to make a profit. That clarity communicates our priority to serve our communities. Secondly, our Quality Model vets all our projects.  Finally, we don’t take a cut on the donation.  We want 100% of your donation, going direct. We don’t want to penalize or discourage the donor for giving in the first place. Therefore this first service of UniversalGiving is free to the public, and communicates a strong, pure brand.

Now you might be thinking, How do they do that?  How do they survive without taking a cut on the donation?

We are still firmly committed to generating revenue.  UniversalGiving also offers a customized service that helps Fortune 500 companies manage their global Corporate Social Responsibility Programs. UniversalGiving Corporate handles the strategy, operations, and NGO vetting to ensure the success of global corporate international giving and volunteer programs.  Some of our clients include Cisco, BEA and MTV.

Companies are drawn to working with us for several reasons. They know UniversalGiving Corporate is committed to two bottom lines: one of the community, and one of corporate.  For the community, we want the most effective projects receiving funds, and more money being given to them. For the corporations, we want to help increase their global brand, increase employee retention, and increase product adoption.  We do this by the establishment of right relationships between a corporation and a well-matched, vetted NGO partner.  These companies are committed to both profitability and social good; we are committed to helping them achieve this dual goal.

So in summary, as a social entrepreneurship organization, UniversalGiving is committed to both providing a free service, and, generating revenue. Both UniversalGiving and UniversalGiving Corporate meet our vision to “Create a World Where Giving and Volunteering Are a Natural Part of Everyday Life.”   We’re pleased to say giving and volunteering continues to increase daily on our website. More and more people are inspired by this model of being able to contribute their time and money, without barriers.

Social entrepreneurship is at a critical inflection point. We need all current and newly-forming social entrepreneurs to strike a balance in serving our communities and generating revenue.  Social entrepreneurship can reflect the highest standards in delivering social value, and, driving towards financial sustainability.   This double motive will keep our social entrepreneurship sector thriving for the longterm.

You can view this post at its original location on Change.org.  Thank you to Nathaniel Whittemore for giving me the opportunity to share with his readers!

Social Enterprise – வார்த்தைகளும், வார்தைகளோடினைந்த சேவைகளின் பரிமாணமும்

Some years back I happened to attend a gathering on “Social Health” to discuss about the menace of immoral trafficking. A VIP who shared his opinion in the meeting frequently used the term “vipachaarikal” (prostitutes). With all humility, I expressed that it is better to use the term “Sex Thozhilaarkal” (Commercial Sex Workers) instead of vipachaarikal. Irritated by this the VIP reacted, “if we call them as commercial sex workers will they change their style providing pleasure? ..a filthy act is always filthy in whatever way we call it…this is like putting old wine in new bottle”. I would have kept quiet. But my fate didn’t allow me to be silent. I started explaining the difference between using the term prostitute and commercial sex worker. The term commercial sex work is much more sympathetic than prostitution… appreciative of social-economic causes that forced them to take it up, much more gender sensitive, less stigmatic …but I was silenced.
Words are not mere letters…not meaningless syllables…always pregnant with meaning. It will change our perception. It liberates and empowers individuals and masses.
The world accepted the word “development” because it thought that it is better than its predecessors i.e. social evolution, social progress, modernization. Everything is changing towards better. From handicapped to differently abled ….from untouchables to dalits. Is it not?
We use certain terminologies interchangeably like voluntary organization, non govt. organization, non profit organization, third sector/ civil society organizations… and now social enterprises. Those who use social enterprises in their discourse feels that it coveys one’s desire to be practical, commercially viable, less dependency on external funding, accountability, long term sustainability, innovation and creativity, improved efficiency and above all the missionary zeal and involvement in the things they want to change /address.
Aravind Eye Hospital with which majority of Tamilians are familiar is identified as a Social Enterprise by the global service sector. For a pittance of fifty rupees one can take up an eye check up by a high profiled and experienced ophthalmologist using the state of the art instruments. This is unthinkable in any part of the world. Dr. G. Venkatasamy and the great institution he built are the symbols of dedicated service and millions have safeguarded their sight, thereby their livelihood at free of cost.
There is no doubt that the concept of social enterprise and social entrepreneurship is going to mould the character and functioning of the voluntary sector in the future and it is better to understand it.
Those who are doing their Master of Social Work (Community Development Specialization) in Madurai Kamaraj University’s affiliated colleges are studying about the subject under the new syllabus (2009-10). One can access (Scribd & wePapers) the reading material related to the subject from this blog

சமூக ஆரோக்கியத்தைப் பற்றிய ஒரு ஆலோசனைக் கூட்டம். கூட்டத்தில் பங்கேற்ற “முக்கியஸ்தர்”, prostitution ஐப பற்றி சில கருத்துக்களைச் சொன்னார். விபச்சாரம், விபச்சாரிகள் என்று அவர் அடிக்கடி சொன்னது ஒரு மாதிரியாய் இருந்தது. நான் எல்லாக் கூட்டத்திலும் அமைதியாக இருப்பது மாதிரி அந்தக் கூட்டத்திலும்   இருந்திருக்கலாம். இருப்பினும் பணிவாகவே ” prostitutes” ஐ செக்ஸ் தொழிலாளர்கள் “commercial sex workers”  என்று அழைப்பது நடைமுறைக்கு வந்துவிட்டதாலும், அவ்வார்த்தை நாகரீகமாக உள்ளதாலும், இந்தக் கூட்டத்திலும் செக்ஸ் தொழிலாளர்கள் “commercial sex workers” என்ற வார்த்தையே உபயோகப்படுத்தலாமென்றேன். என்னுடைய வேண்டுகோளை சரியான அர்த்தத்தில் புரிந்து கொள்ளாமல், கொஞ்சம் எரிச்சலுடனே, “commercial sex workers” என்றால்  வித்தியாசமாக உறவாடுவார்களா? பழைய கருமத்தைத் தானே செய்கிறார்கள்? நீங்கள் சொல்வது புதிய மொந்தையில் பழைய கள் என்பது மாதிரி பேசிவிட்டார். என்னை மட்டம் தட்டும் நோக்கமே பெரிதாகத் தென்பட்டாலும், நான் மீண்டும் பணிவுடனே, ” prostitutes” என்ற வார்த்தைக்கும் “commercial sex workers” என்ற வார்த்தைக்கும் உள்ள வித்தியாசத்தைப் பற்றி விளக்க ஆரம்பித்தேன். இரண்டும் ஒரே தொழில்தான். நாம் அதைப் பார்க்கும் பார்வை மாறவேண்டும். ஒன்றில் பெண்மையை இழிவு படுத்தி, அந்தச் செயலுக்கு அவர்கள்தான் காரணம் என்றும் கருதி அவர்களின் மனித உரிமையைப் பறிக்கின்றோம். இன்னொரு சொல்லில் அவர்களைக் கருணையுடன் புரிந்துகொள்ள முயற்சிகின்றோம். வார்த்தைகள் வேறுபடும்போது பிரச்சினையின் பரிமாணங்களும், புரிதலும் வேறுபடுகின்றது. தெளிவு பிறக்கின்றது. பிரச்சினையை சாமாளிக்கும் ஆற்றல் கூடுகிறது என்று சொல்லச் சொல்ல என்னை உட்காரச் சொல்லிவிட்டார்கள்.

வார்த்தைகள் முக்கியம். அதைவிட வார்த்தைகளுக்கு நாம் கற்பிக்கும் அர்த்தமும். இல்லையா?
Charity Organization, Voluntary Organization, Non Governmental Organization, Non profit / No profit Organization, Third Sector, Civil Society Organization  என்று பல பெயர்களில் நாம்  தன்னார்வத் தொண்டு நிறுவனங்களை அழைக்கின்றோம். ஒவ்வொரு பெயருக்கும் பின்னால் ஒரு ஆழ்ந்த அர்த்தமுண்டு . அதற்காக Charity organization எல்லாம் செயலாற்றுப் போய்விட்டது என்று சொல்லமுடியாது.Charity Organization- னின் பரிணாம  வளர்ச்சிதான் தான் Non profit / No profit Organization.கடந்த காலங்களில்  செய்த தருமத்தைப் போல நிகழ் காலத்தில் செய்யமுடியாது. தொண்டு நிறுவனங்கள் நிலைப்பட வேண்டுமென்றால், அவைகள் சுய பலத்தில் செயல்பட வேண்டுமென்றால் அணுகு முறைகள் மாற வேண்டும். அந்த மாற்றங்களெல்லாம், மாறி வரும் பிரச்னைகளின் தன்மைக்கேற்றவாறு தீர்வுகள் காணப் படவேண்டுமென்ற உத்வேகத்தில் எழுவது.
அந்த உத்வேகத்தின் ஒரு பிரதிபலிப்பே,  “Social Enterprises”  என்ற வார்த்தைப் பிரயோகம். கொஞ்சம் வியாபார நோக்கு, தன்னுடைய செயல்பாடுகளுக்கு தானே வருமானமீட்டிக் கொள்ளல், அடுத்தவர்  கையை எதிர்பார்க்கும் சார்புத் தன்மையை குறைத்துக் கொள்ளல், இத்துடன் தொண்டு நிறுவனங்களுக்கே உரிய அர்பணிப்பு இதையெல்லாம்  உள்ளடக்கியதே “Social Enterprises”. Enterprise என்ற வார்த்தையைக் கேட்டாலே ஏன்  சில பேர் எதற்கு தீ மிதித்தது மாதிரி பதறுகிறார்கள் என்று தெரியவில்லை. ஆக்கத்தையும், திறனையும் அதிகமாக முன் நிறுத்துவதாலா?
நமக்கெல்லாம் பரிச்சியமான அரவிந்த் கண் மருத்துவமனையை “Social Enterprise”  என்று உலகம் அடையாளம் காணுகிறது. Dr.வேங்கடசாமியும்  அவரால் உருவாக்கப்பட்ட ஒப்புயர்வற்ற மனித வளமும் உலகிற்கு கிடைத்த அருங்கொடை.
சுவிட்சர்லாந்து நாட்டில் வாழும் எங்கள் கல்லூரி முதல்வரின் மருமகன் சமீபத்தில் அரவிந்த் திற்கு கண் மருத்துவ பரிசோதனைக்காகச் சென்று இன்னும் அதிர்ச்சியில் இருந்து மீளவில்லை.  50  ரூபாய் கட்டணத்திற்கு அதிநவீன கருவிகளைக் கொண்டு (State of the art instruments) அனுபவம் வாய்ந்த கண்மருத்துவர்கள் பரிசோதித்து அனுப்புகிறார்கள் என்றால் அது உலகில் எங்கும் நடக்காத ஆச்சர்யம் அல்லவா?
அரவிந்த் என்னும் ” Social Enterprise” இன் திறனும், அர்பணிப்பும் எல்லாத் தொண்டு நிறுவனங்களுக்கும் கைவரப் பெற்றால் நாடு நலமாயிருக்கும்.

எனக்கென்னவோ மற்ற எல்லா வார்த்தைகளையும் விட (Voluntary Organization, Non Governmental Organization, Non profit / No profit Organization, Third Sector, Civil Society Organization) Social Enterprise என்ற வார்த்தையில் துடிப்பும், நிறுவனச் சுயமரியாதையும் கொஞ்சம் தூக்கலாகவே இருப்பது மாதிரி படுகிறது.

இந்தக  கல்வியாண்டு முதல் (2009-10 ) Management of Non Governmental Organization என்ற தாளுக்கு பதிலாக Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship என்ற தாள் அறிமுகமாகின்றது. அப் பாடத்திட்டத்தையும் (Syllabus)    அப் பாடத்திட்டம் சம்பந்தமான மாணவர் கையேடுகளையும் (Student’s Guide)  இந்த பிளாக்கின் மூலம்  Scribd & We Papers தளங்களில்  பார்க்கலாம்

This past June, we had our global residency in Brasil.  We visited government offices in Brasilia, telecommunications company Oi, investment company Investe Rio, petroleum company Petrobras, healthcare company Amil, aerospace Embraer, mining company Vale, and other multinational corporations like genetically modified seed company Monsanto, aluminum producer Alcoa and Banco Itaú.  

Many of these corporations have a CSR initiatives they are very keen in promoting and making students aware of them.  In many instances, CSR ties to environmental sustainability as in the case of Petrobras, Vale, Monsanto and Alcoa.  Some of these companies have learnt the hard way, and have initially implemented CSR practices as a way to react to criticism and fix, with a quick approach, what was incorrectly done to protect their image and assets.  In many instances, they have evolved these practices to engrain them in their business strategy.

The country as a whole seems to be open, willing and ready to correcting the corruption issues that obstruct their growth and attraction of capital.  Companies such as Banco Itaú have always operated with impeccable ethics despite decades of hyperinflation, military coups ad economic and social instability.  They struck me as a mature, responsible and open-minded company that is profit based, but they seem to achieve great success in a tempered manner.  Respect for their employees translates in respect for their customers and the environment.  The Itaú Foundation, which invests in art, offers workers and customers a wonderful experience combining high corporate fiancé with Brazilian and Latin American art in almost every corner.  The values of the bank are communicated to their audience in many ways.  Their CSR initiatives are applies in every M&A and partnership they engage in.  It was enlightening to see this level of corporate responsibility in a small bank that is now ranked as one of the top 50 ones in the world.

Nem gyógyít, lehetőséget ad. Reményt és pénzt arra, hogy a piciny lábacskák rálépjenek a gyógyulás útjára. De ez Magyarország. Itt másra gerjed a nép. Most nem csak a nőkre, hanem általában gondolom, hogy töketlenek vagyunk. Vagy nem érdekel minket más szomszéd fűjének zöldje, amíg a mi gyepünk rendben van.

Furák vagyunk mi emberek. Mi magyarok főleg. Elhiszem, hogy 20 éve még nem zárkóztunk fel a nyugathoz, és előfordult olyan település is, ahol lakótömbönként volt egy tévé.

Világszinten voltunk megmosolyogtatóak, amikor Isaura felszabadítására pénzt gyűjtöttünk. Ehhez képest már Esmeralda szemműtétje nem okozott meglepetést.

De azóta pár év eltelt és mi nem lettünk okosabbak.

Ugyanolyan buták vagyunk, és csak a saját célunk vezérli kezünket, amikor egy körlevelet megsokszorozva útjára engedünk. Mert mi más lenne a magyarázata annak, hogy a „ ha továbbküldöd 10 ismerősödnek 10 napon belül, akkor olyan betyár szerencsés leszel, mint soha senki más…” kezdetű levelek egyre és egyre többen lesznek?! Végigfut a folyamat generátorainak agyán akár egy kicsit is, hogy ki, mi célból, miért írta ezt?! Vagy csak FW, add to To és Send? Az utóbbi. Sajnos.

Most nem beszélek a „Csimbummcirkusz” subject-ű levelekről, amiben arra figyelmeztetnek, hogy szétrobban a laptopod és eljön a világégés, ha nem küldöd tovább, mert ez másik állatfaj. Az is, aki hisz olyan tőzsdei szakszavakkal átitatott levélnek, melyben a továbbküldés után csupán a levél aljára kell írni a nevedet és milliomos leszel, vagy tied lesz Dagobert bácsi pénzzel feltöltött uszodája, miközben Dacky, Ducky és Ticky a Disneyland-i pályaudvaron koldulnak egy Fedél Nélküllel, hogy két szem kukorica azért jusson este az asztalra, és ne dögöljenek éhen amiatt, hogy egy magyar kisemmizte őket a nagybácsi örökségéből.

Persze ettől független adakozunk is, visszakacsintva Esmeralda gyógyult szemére, hiszen az érzelmi központok erős ingerlése nálunk beválik. A „ Szegény, szerencsétlen rákos, dél afrikai 3 éves kisfiú 2 dollárt kap minden egyes továbbküldött levélért, majd a gyógyítására fordítjuk” típusú körlevél olvasásakor megroggyan a könnycsatornánk, és küldjük tovább a levelet a középiskolai fizika tanárunknak is – bár mindig utáltuk szívből, és elroppantunk közben egy százas zsepit a „Küldés” gomb felett. Persze a levélben feltüntetett kisfiú ma már 69 éves, kolumbiai drogbáró és egy tölcsérnyi jangát szív a hassziendája előtt pecsétgyűrűben és az egészből mit sem sejt.

Miért van az, hogy távoli országban kell valaminek történnie ahhoz, hogy segíteni akarjunk?

Miért van az, hogyha a szánkban van a falat, nem érezzük az ízét? Miért akarunk sushit, ha ugyanolyan finom a kolbász és az a mienk?

A nyáron indult egy kezdeményezés ADD A HANGOD néven a Klinikai Táplálkozási Program zászlaja alatt. Nem volt nehéz benne részt venni. Nem kellett sem pénzt, sem fél vesét, sem semmilyen egyéb testrészt felkínálni. Csupán hangot kellett adni. A sajátot, a sajátból egy kicsit. Adott volt öt darab gyerekdal. Nem finn nyelven, nem Pilinszky János nehézségű művek, hanem mindenki által ismertek. (Kiskacsa fürdik, Ha jó a kedved, Éliás, Tóbiás, Hová mégy te kisnyulacska, Virágéknál ég a világ.) Ezeket kellett elénekelni telefonra, gépre, cd-re, bárhová. Majd feltölteni az oldalra. A Zámbó Jimmy vénával meg nem áldott jelentkezők a felhívás szövegét is elmondhatták prózában. Minden feltöltött hang egynek számított. Ha összejött volna 10 000 hang, akkor a Danone pluszban beletolt volna a közösbe még egy milla adományt a Klinikai Táplálkozási Programnak. És most jön a találós kérdés.

Hány hang gyűlt össze a kampány alatt a daganatos gyerekek megsegítéséért?

A szomorú válasz: 139. Egyszázharminckilenc hang, hogy úgy is lássuk leírva, ahogy a postán a csekket töltjük ki a Tubifex Fertőzésben Vegetáló Aranyhalakért Egyesület számlájára való utalás során.

Ennyi és nem több. 139. Szánalmas? Igen. Az.

Pláne annak tükrében, hogy ez idő alatt annyi két dolláros körlevelet küldtünk, hogy a lelenc, altatás előtt lévő vizslakutyákon élő, éhező kisfiú, akinek felrobbant a családja a Microsoft egyik vírusa miatt, amiről nem szólt időben 100 embernek, így árva maradt, és nem kapott ingyen telefont a Nokia-tól ő sem, pedig küldte a leveleket szanaszéjjel – már akkora háza lenne a befolyt dollármilliókból összesen, hogy az nemcsak kacsalábon forogna, hanem a kacsalábon egy Manolo Blahnik cipő lenne, hogy mindenki lássa. Ráhímezve szépen: Thanks, Hungary!

Persze én is kancsó vagyok. Mentségemre legyen mondva, én időben láttam. Viszont cserébe nagy durranást akartam, zenével megbolondítva, videóval, habbal és cukormázzal a tetején. Kicsit túlszerveztem a dolgot és mire kész lett volna a mű, lejárt a határidő. Ezt utólag vettem észre. Ennyi idő alatt mind az öt dalt felénekelhettem volna, plusz a felhívás szövegét is, és örömmel hátradőlnék, hogy én megtettem. De nem. Utálom is magam azóta, nagyon mélyen és őszintén!

Hángérien reáliti!

Lassan mennem kell, de majd még írok. Most kaptam ugyanis egy levelet a TBC-s dakota struccok megsegítéséről, akik a kihalás szélén állnak. Mindjárt küldöm!

Tudod, csak 10 ismerősnek…

Organisationen Impactt har i flera projekt visat att det är fullt möjligt att förbättra arbetsvillkor och samtidigt förbättra kvalitet och produktivitet hos underleverantörer i lågkostnadsländer, och därmed skapa värde inte bara för leverantören själv utan också för de köpande bolagen. Lösningen ligger i att aktivt engagera sig i det tillverkande företagets förutsättningar och möjligheter till utveckling, snarare än att stanna vid den nu så vitt spridda metoden med uppförandekoder och kontroller.

Ett exempel är ett pågående projekt tillsammans med brittiska klädföretaget New Look och en av deras leverantörer i Indien. I en första fas har man genomfört ett experiment med en test-produktionslina i 24 dagar. Fabriksarbetarna vid testlinan hade ledigt på bestämda dagar och arbetsskift som begränsades till cirka 10 timmar. De erbjöds också en bonus på 500 rupier om ett extra högt produktivitetsmål nåddes.

Försöket gick bra: Den första ordern blev klar två dagar tidigare än planerat, och produktionslinan mötte eller överskred sitt produktivitetsmål vid mer än hälften av de 24 försöksdagarna. Arbetstagarna arbetade i snitt två timmar mindre per dag än de som inte var vid testlinan. Frånvaron halverades. Fabriksledningen blev så nöjd att man dubblade bonusen till 1000 rupier.

Nu ska fabriken jobba tillsammans med produktivitetsexperter för att se om man kan replikera det här sättet att jobba i hela fabriken.

Ett annat exempel från Impactt är ett projekt som genomfördes 2001-2004 och som gick ut på att reducera övertidsarbete vid fabriker i Kina. 11 köpande bolag samverkade med en leverantör vardera för att identifiera orsakerna till övertidsarbetet. Vissa problem var de köpande bolagen själva orsak till, exempelvis kort orderläggning som ledde till svårigheter att hinna klart i tid, och därmed mer övertidsarbete. Andra problem fanns hos leverantören själv och kunde lösas genom utbildning och workshops av olika slag. På så vis kunde arbetstiden i de flesta fall reduceras, lönerna bibehållas eller höjas, och produktiviteten samtidigt förbättras. 

There is a good post over at Max Gladwell on the importance of ongoing sustainability and CSR dialogue. Shouldn’t sustainability be one of the very few sustainable competitive advantages?

More news on greening the inner-city to come later today, but if you want to help show up at the SOLEfood Urban Farm this Sunday rain or shine.

- Jo, jag undrar varför vi har mängder av mat i butikerna, resturangerna, fiken och våra hem, på samma gång som flera miljontals människor svälter… – på samma planet!? Det måste ha blivit fel i logistiken…

Den senaste tiden har jag tänkt och känt att jag behöver göra något aktivt, för att vara en del av lösningen; på att miljarder människor inte har tillräckligt med mat.

http://www.hungerprojektet.se är en stiftelse med projekt som stödjer och hjälper människor till självhjälp. Tycker att det verkar väldigt bra. Så om än så lite, ska jag nu börja stödja stiftelsen ekonomiskt varje månad, och ge dem gratis annonsering på http://www.hallbarlivsstil-webbmagasin.com/

Det känns bra att göra något aktivt. Då vet jag att jag är medskapare till en bättre värld…

Drygt 960 miljoner människor lever i hunger från att de föds till sin ofta för tidiga död. Det är en sjundedel av världens befolkning. De flesta lever i Sydostasien och i Afrika söder om Sahara.

Människor går inte hungriga för att det råder brist på mat. Det produceras mer än tillräckligt med mat i världen för alla. Människor går hungriga för att de saknar möjligheter. Möjligheter att omsätta 16 timmars arbetsdag till pengar som räcker till deras basbehov. Hela 1,4 miljarder människor lever på mindre än 10 kronor om dagen. Pengar som ofta ska mätta en hel familj.

Källa: http://www.hungerprojektet.se/page.asp?id=19

Det är bättre att göra något, än ingenting alls…

/Camilla

When you talk about ‘green’ or CSR, do you mean it? Or is it part of your plan to fit in with the latest industry conversation? Perhaps I’m being unfair – some don’t believe that the whole ‘green’/sustainable ‘thing’ will even pick up. Yes, sure they say, it will be used, spoken about and then we will continue to do business the way we always have.

So I guess my question to you is as follows: firstly, are you a ‘green-washer’ or a ‘green-doer’?; have you taken real, meaningful initiatives to make a difference to the way your business activities are undertaken?; and, if yes, what’s driving you?

I looked at examples where Coke; Woolworths; Avon; Ariel and many other large organisations have really targeted a niche community to approach and uplift, something that falls right within their scope of work. It seems amazing to me, how every time I think we’ve hit the next big ‘thing’/challenge, people come up with the most phenomenal ideas.

So I’m curious: how are you going to flow with change?

Skandal! Niewybaczalne przeoczenie! Dopiero w momencie, gdy na moje biurko trafiła paczka kawy ze znaczkiem “Fair Trade” zainteresowałem się tematem sprawiedliwego handlu. Wciąż czerwienię się ze wstydu. Ale do rzeczy.

PKPP Lewiatan, NSZZ Solidarność i Deloitte realizują program promocji standardów społecznej odpowiedzialności w przedsiębiorstwach. Na stronie www.odpowiedzialnafirma.pl każda firma, czy instytucja może zgłosić swoje projekty CSR-owe i pokazać w jaki sposób realizuje założenia społecznej odpowiedzialności.

Wracając do Fair Trade… podróżując po świecie, trudno nie zauważyć symbolu, który wyrósł na jedną z najsilniejszych marek budujących swoje podstawy na poszanowaniu sprawiedliwości społecznej. W Polsce produkty FT są dostępne, ale wciąz wypełniają boczne półki, a zainteresowanie nimi wydaje się niewielkie. Społeczna presja związana z poszanowaniem praw człowieka w procesie produkcji zmusiła wiele koncernów do zrewidowania swoich relacji z podwykonawcami i producentami na najniższym szczeblu “łańcucha wytwórczego”. Wystarczy wspomnieć o problemach NIKE, której zarzucono wykorzystywanie do pracy dzieci przy produkcji obuwia w Pakistanie. W Polsce temat sprawiedliwej produkcji ma wciąż drugorzędne znaczenie, bo konsumentów bardziej interesuje cena, dostępność i promocje. Ten stan będzie utrzymywał się do momentu, gdy nacisk konsumentów na kwestie odpowiedzialności doprowadzi do spadku zysków producentów. Wtedy z pewnością stwierdzą oni, że odpowiedzialność się opłaca Nie ukrywajmy, że w krajach rozwiniętych było dokładnie tak samo. Odpowiedzialność po prostu daje większe zyski.

I will be your guide though the wonderful life of being a Customer Service Rep. I can’t give you my name, and I cant give you the name of the company I work for, but I can tell you all about my experiences as a humble call center worker.

I’ll try to update every Thursday night as that is the end of my work week. I’ll share everything from stupid customers to crazy job requirements, all for your amusement!  Join me, and I’ll show you how it works on the other side of the phone.

Yes I can help you! Aside from my weekly events , I also have my Day job!

I am working as a Marketing Manager for One World Learning Inc. Its a BPO Staffing and Training Company. We give FREE Call Center training to all qualified applicants. So if you’re looking for a high paying job, contact me asap!

I’m currently looking for Customer Service Representatives & Technical Support Representatives. I am handling sites from Alabang, Makati, The Fort, Ortigas and Quezon City.

Here are the Requirements:

• Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor’s/College Degree or must have completed at least 2 years in college.
• Required skill(s): fluent in English and customer-oriented.
• Applicant with call center experience is preferred but not required.
• Applicants must be willing to work in any of the following areas: Makati, Ortigas, The Fort, Alabang.
• Applicants must be willing to work in shifting schedules.
• Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Full-Time positions available.
• Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.

Our company, ONE WORLD LEARNING offers FREE Call Center and English Training.

This is an URGENT REQUIREMENT. Our clients are offering competitive salary ranging from P15,000-P20,000 as starting salary,apart from night differential pay, hazard pay, performance bonus and other benefits. career advancement opportunities, professional development and training for their employees!

Interested applicants may send their updated resumes to JOLIVERIA@ONEWORLDLC.COM

[This newsletter is both in Norwegian and English language. Please scroll down to read the English version/Dette nyhetsbrevet er publisert i både norsk og engelsk versjon. Engelsk versjon er gitt lenger nede i e-posten]

— Norwegian version —
Fokus på regelverk og arbeid i høyden
I dag skjer det mye rundt standardisering og regelverk for arbeid i tau og arbeid hvor ulike taubaserte systemer og sikringsutstyr benyttes som sikring mot fall (fallsikring). Standard Norge er i løpet av høsten i ferd med å ferdigstille Norsk Standard for ”Arbeid i tau (prNS 9600)”, som vil dekke alt arbeid i tau. Standarden legger opp til et skille mellom enkle – og avanserte metoder for arbeid i tau. Blant annet vil arbeid offshore klassifiseres som avansert, men også flere oppgaver på land for blant annet energibransjen, bygg og anlegg vil komme i denne kategorien.
http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/421/1/lang,no/

OLFs kompetansekrav for arbeid med hydrokarbonførende utstyr
I forbindelse med å redusere antall gasslekkasjer i petroleumsindustrien innfører næringen nye krav til opplæring for personell som arbeider direkte med hydrokarbonførende utstyr. Fristen for sertifisering og resertifisering er utgangen av 2010.

OLFs gasslekkasjeprosjekt har som mål å redusere antall gasslekkasjer på norsk sokkel. Et av de viktigste tiltakene er å heve kompetansen til alle som opererer utstyr på hydrokarbonførende anlegg på norsk sokkel. I forbindelse med prosjektet blir det innført krav til sertifisering og re-sertifisering for hele industrien basert på læreplaner utarbeidet av gasslekkasjeprosjektet.

Foreløpig er læremateriell for flensearbeid og ventilteknikk klar for bruk.

Les mer: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/457/1/lang,no/

Anbefaler det nye HMS-grunnkurset   
Alle bedrifter skal ha høyt fokus på HMS! Industriskolens nye HMS Grunnkurs arbeidsmiljø tilfredsstiller lovens krav til HMS-opplæring for verneombud og medlemmer av AMU. Trond Mostrøm er installasjonsleder i Fabricom og er for tiden på Snorre B plattformen i Nordsjøen, han er én av de som har benyttet Industriskolens HMS-tilbud.

Les mer: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/456/72/lang,no/

Effektiv opplæring i WINDOWS 7 på Trainingportal   
Windows 7 er utviklet og forbedret ut fra brukernes tilbakemeldinger. Brukerne har bedt om en PC som er enkel å bruke, raskere, mer brukervennlig og som fungerer slik brukeren vil. Derfor har Microsoft gjort hundrevis av grunnleggende forbedringer, og et par du kanskje ikke hadde forventet deg. E-læringskurs i bruk av Windows 7 lanseres på Trainingportal i desember 2009. Dette i samarbeid med DataPower Learning.

Ta kontakt for pristilbud for din bedrift allerede i dag!
Les mer: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/451/1/lang,no/

Kampanjetilbud på kurs i gassmåling   
Vestteknikk har i samarbeid med Mintra utviklet et e-læringskurs innen gassmåling. Kurset gir en introduksjon i forståelsen av gass i utsatte arbeidssituasjoner. Det beskriver reelle farer og forteller om de mest vanlige gassene. Kurset gir kunnskap om hvordan man kan best beskytte seg selv og andre ved bruk av riktig utstyr. Målsetningen til kurset er å gi en innføring i emner som gir økt forståelse for hvorfor gassmåling er viktig, samt innblikk i hvordan en gassmåler skal brukes på en sikker og effektiv måte.

Les mer: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/446/1/lang,no/

E-læring gir redusert pris kurs hos NMU   
Med e-læring hjemme første dagen + 4 dager på sikkerhetssenteret til NMU AS – så får du et 5 dagers Grunnleggende Sikkerhetskurs til tilbudspris! I vinter har NMU et tilbud (13.990,-) til deg som tar e-læring til Grunnleggende sikkerhetskurs hjemme hos deg selv. Du trenger bare en PC med internett, litt tid og….en kopp kaffe. 
 
Les mer: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/438/1/lang,no/

Offshore og Energibransjens HMS-konferanse – Meld deg på allerede nå!   
Hva kan oljeindustrien lære av energibransjen, og hvilket forretningspotensial har denne erfaringsoverføringen? Dette er det sentrale tema når norsk offshorevirksomhet møter landets største energiforetak på Offshore og Energibransjens HMS-konferanse i Stavanger 9-10. mars 2010. Du kan allerede nå sikre deg en plass på konferansen!

Les mer: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/455/59/lang,no/

Kurs i prosjektledelse høsten 2009/våren 2010
Forskning fra Project Management Institute (PMI®) angir at nær 25% av det globale brutto nasjonalproduktet skjer gjennom prosjekter. Med de samme forholdstallene beløper dette seg til 300 milliarder kroner i Norge.  Ansatte i selskap og organisasjoner med egen Trainingportal får 30 % rabatt på et utvalg av kursene som avholdes i Stavanger 2009/2010.

Les mer: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/420/1/lang,no/

Bestill kurskatalog på!
Trainingportal er bransjeportalen for e-læringskurs i oljeindustrien.

Du kan bestille kurskatalogen kostnadsfritt ved å sende en e-post til info@trainingportal.no. Husk å oppgi navn og adresse til hvor katalogen ønskes sendt.

Les mer: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/section/4/90/lang,no/

— English version —
Focus on Regulations for Work at Height
There is a lot happening with the standardisation and regulations for vertical rope work and work using various rope-based systems and fall safety equipment.   Over the course of this autumn, Standards Norway will be completing the Norwegian standard for “Vertical Rope Work (prNS 9600)”, which will cover all vertical rope work.  The standard will differentiate between basic and advanced vertical rope work.  Offshore work will be classified as advanced, but several types of operations on land, in the energy and construction industries, for example, will also fall into that category.

Read more: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/421/1/lang,en/

Safety Representative Training via E-Learning and Workshops    
Now, you can conduct mandatory working environment training for your safety representatives internally, using e-learning combined with classroom training.  The Federation of Norwegian Industries, in collaboration with Mintra, has developed an online course covering the theoretical portion of safety representative training.  Customers who choose this solution can also choose to hold internal workshops, based on an instructional outline from Mintra.

Read more: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/448/1/lang,en/

Effective Training in Windows 7 on Trainingportal   
Windows 7 is the most recent publicly available version of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs and media center PCs.

E-learning courses on Windows 7 will be launched on Trainingportal December 2009. Please contact Mintra for further information about training in your company.

Read more: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/451/1/lang,en/

Special Offer on Gas Measurement Course   
In collaboration with Vestteknikk, Mintra has developed an e-learning course on gas measurement.  This course provides an introduction to the understanding of gas in high risk work situations.  It describes real dangers and explains about the most common types of gas.  The course provides knowledge of how best to protect yourself, and others, using proper equipment.  The object of the course is to introduce participants to topics that provide an increased understanding of why gas measurement is important, as well as insight into how to use gas measurement devices safely and effectively.

Read more: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/446/1/lang,en/
 
Offshore & Energy HSE Conference 2010 – Exchanging experience between offshore & energy   
What can the oil industry learn from the energy industry, and what is the business potential of this exchange of experience?  This will be a central theme when the Norwegian offshore sector meets the nation’s largest energy companies at the Offshore and Energy HSE Conference, in Stavanger, March 9th-10th, 2010.

Read more: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/view/447/1/lang,en/

Order the Course Catalogue now!
If you would like to receive a free copy of the course catalogue, send an email to info@trainingportal.no. Remember to include you name and postal address.

Read more: http://www.trainingportal.no/content/section/4/90/lang

Truth Serum Blog

PeaceKeeper’s campaign MAKE-UP ARTISTS FOR PEACE asked some of the countries leading celebrity make-up artists to donate their favorite make-up tip(s) in support of PeaceKeeper’s work to end violence against women. Recently, we asked Joanne Gair, celebrity make-up artist for women like Madonna, Cindy Crawford, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kim Basinger, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, and more. Here is what she suggests:

HOT TIP: Skin maintenance, replenishment and protection are crucial for a fresh, youthful face throughout life. Before you put a lick of make-up on your skin, it must be happy and healthy. If you take care and prime your canvas on a daily basis the rewards later in life are well worth the time and money. Trust me.

Most importantly keep your skin (and body) hydrated by drinking lots of water every day. This is the most natural and nutritional way to feed your skin.

-Gently exfoliate your skin by keeping it buffed to allow fresh new skin to glow. This should be done every other day by washing your face with a gentle exfoliate face wash cream.

-Maintain the harmony in your skin daily by wiping your face with astringent on a damp cotton pad, or spray your face with natural soothing spring water and let it dry naturally.

-Replenishing moisture in the skin is a must. Use a nourishing eye cream or gel of your preference, followed by revitalizing day cream or face oil on both your face and down your neck.

-Before applying any make-up use a substantial protection number sunscreen. This way you don’t need to disturb your face make-up for the rest of the day. You may wish to gently pat an open face tissue around your nose and T zone before applying the sun screen. After application of sunscreen you may again wish to pat the areas that feel a little too oily gently to absorb any overly shiny areas before adding your make-up.

At this point your skin is ready and glowing for your day. Foundation and concealer is applied if needed at this point.

For a sun-kissed glowing face, apply a cream blush to add luster and color to your checks. Choose a healthy, fresh lip color. Apply the lipstick to your cheeks, smoothing out the color with your finger tips to create a natural tone on tone look. Now you can lightly dust your face with a transparent powder to set the look. Use a large head powder brush so it goes on evenly. Dip the head of the brush in the powder and tap several times on the side of the container to leave just a gesture of powder on the brush head before applying to your face. This way you still have a glow and the skin looks radiant.

PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics is an enterprising philanthropic brand which makes donations to women’s health advocacy and urgent human rights issues. PeaceKeeper funds women who have been indentured or who live on a dollar a day. Therefore, what is important about PeaceKeeper is that we source raw ingredients like rosemary and spearmint from third world farmers and give micro-credit loans to the families of those farmers. This is called Beauty For Humanity – Good For You & Good For The World! Now That’s Beautiful™. To learn more about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics visit them at www.iamapeacekeeper.com.

Jochen Zeitz, CEO @ Puma delivered a very inspired and quite intimidating speech on the social responsibilities of companies, or rather, the responsibility tout court of companies and customers alike vis a’ vis the environment. He sounded a bit like a priest and sometimes a dash paternalistic, putting himself on a level above the audience. But apart from the form, the substance of the speech was there.

My impression is that he is truly committed and is working with the objective to making a difference at Puma, starting with a different way to use packaging for instance.

The speech was carefully prepared, even if it was delivered like a sermon. Maybe the audience could have been spared the many references to Heidegger and Ralph Waldo Emerson, but very inspiring and deep nonetheless. The guy is honest and means what he says.

Zu der Know the Signs Kampagne von Heineken habe ich in diesem Artikel schon mehr geschrieben, und die Aktion ist – Glaubwürdig hin oder her – ja auch sehr gut. Zumindest Idee und Umsetzung sind gut, und alles andere als lieblos ins Netz geworfen. An der Seite knowthesigns.com hat man auf den ersten Blick nichts verändert, aber einen zweiten Viral in Rennen geschickt. Und den möchte ich natürlich der geneigten Leserschaft nicht vorenthalten.

Drunk Pole Dancing Gone Wrong

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via ViralBlog;

Detta påstår i alla fall Pablo Eisenberg i sin artikel i The Wallstreet Journal “What’s Wrong with Charitable Giving and How to Fix It?”

Eisenberg menar att det just i en lågkonjunktur är viktigt att organisationer ägnar sig åt välgörenhet,  men detta skall göras på rätt sätt. Rätt summa pengar till rätt organisation. I artikeln ger Eisenberg  9 tips på hur man kan optimera nyttan med välgörenhet för frivilligorganisationer.

Läs mer: “What’s Wrong with Charitable Giving and How to Fix It? The Wallstreet Journal

/Iris Rehnström

Greetings!

 
It’s official. Japan’s long recession has finally ended. The small but highly productive nation has suffered enormous economic set-backs over the past two decades. To pull themselves out of the downturn, the Japanese business community and its government have followed a consistent and socially responsible course to economic recovery. The Japanese business model has emerged as an important example for how to create long-term profits while maintaining a clear code of ethics and honor.
 
 
No Apeing of America
 
Japan’s new Financial Services Minister, Shizuka Kamei took office this past month and vowed that, “There would be no apeing of America.” Kamei declared the official Japanese business model would embrace “social meaning.” Mr. Kamei called for Japanese corporations to turn away from the American model of “self-interest” and return to the old spirit of “unity and cooperation” that once made Japan’s economy great. ”Japan became No 1 in the world and it is an objective and historical fact that Japan achieved that because of a typically Japanese style of corporate management…I insist that we should return to the traditional Japanese style of management.”
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Sampoh-Yoshi: Happiness Times Three
 
Sampoh-Yoshi, loosely translated as the “Trinity of Bliss…of buyers, sellers, and the general public” is a business code for Japanese merchants dating back to the 12th century. In the medieval district of Ohmi, an area near Kyoto, the ancient business model of “Sampoh-Yoshi” lasted over eight hundred years.” The code declared that Ohmi merchants were honor bound to customers and society alike to sell items of quality at a fair price. If customers were not happy, then merchants had failed in their basic responsibility. Equally important was the seller’s obligation to the community it served. A product or business service must serve the greater society or the promise of “Sampoh-Yoshi” was unfulfilled.
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Jobs for Life
 
Jobs for life are becoming as quaint and old-fashioned an idea in modern Japan as they are in the United States. For three decades, the old concept of “Jobs for Life” has eroded in the U.S. only to be replaced with a brutally harsh job-cutting culture that is corporate America. In the US, companies increase earnings by slicing staff with abandon. Long term employees are famously given 10-20 minutes to pack up years of belongings and “exit the premises.” To ensure compliance, uniformed security guards escort them to the door. Not so in socially conscientious Japanese corporate culture where dignity remains the word of the day.
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Koncern Mitsubishi w Japonii postanowił umożliwić pracownikom opcję wychodzenia do domu 2 godziny wcześniej. Wszystko po to, by odpowiedzialnie wpłynąć na zatrważająco niski wskaźnik urodzeń. Koncern liczy na to, że dodatkowe 2 godziny romantycznie usposobią pracowników i już wkrótce kobiety zaczną rodzić na potęgę.

Naprawdę ciekawe posunięcie. W Japonii, gdzie pracownicy z przepracowania popełniają samobójstwa na pewno przydadzą się dodatkowe godziny wolne. W Polsce na takiego śmiałka patrzono by podejrzliwie: CSR to, czy tylko PR? Dlaczego wielka korporacja strzela sobie w kolano zachęcając pracownice do zachodzenia w ciążę?