Soundbites

Corporate giving defies economy

Last year, before the recent meltdown, philanthropy by large companies appeared to fly in the face of an uncertain economy.

From 2006 to 2007, giving by large multinational corporations rose 5.6 percent, with two-thirds of them increasing their giving, according to the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP). More than half (56 percent) their giving, as did most of the companies that suffered losses.

“The weakening economy did not seem to play a significant role for most companies’ giving in 2007,” the report said. In addition, 89 percent of CEOs agreed with the statement, “Companies should have mechanisms in place (eg., cash reserves or endowed

of companies that reported lower profits still increased

The scent of serving

“God loves the smell of our sweat. I know that’s a strange thought, and please keep using deodorant, but I think it’s true.... God loves the sound of our voices when we are singing praises to him. But I also think he loves the smell of our sweat when we are serving him. Service is how we love God with all of our strength.” — Mark Batterson, pastor, National Community Church, Washington, D.C. foundations) to sustain contributions during periods of weak financial performance.”

“Historically, companies have made strong commitments to respond during periods of higher unemployment and elevated community need,” says Charles Moore, CECP executive director. “In addition to sustained cash contributions, companies have also become more creative at better identifying and leveraging resources such as in-kind product donations and employee pro bono service to greater benefit community partners.”

Time will tell if last year’s trend holds true during the current economic crisis. (CRO magazine)

Bored and unhappy in the land of pablum

Mennonite food?

There is no biblical commandment against being boring, but some corporate communicators think there should be. Talk to any number of them and you’re bound to hear complaints about the bland, inane slogans they are required to convey by higher-ups who must think audiences thrive on pablum. Being boring — either in printed materials, executive speeches or interoffice communication — can be fundamentally dishonest and expensive, according to communications specialist Bill Sweetland. He tells corporate communicators that their first duty is not to bore their readers — “and don’t let your CEO bore them either.”

Being boring is not trivial, he says, but a “violent assault” that drains energy, incites rage and breeds hostile cynicism. It is also costly to employees and companies. “I wish some ingenious accountant would work up a formula to determine the hidden business cost of communications-caused boredom and assign a dollar value to this cost in the profit-and-loss statement,” he says, adding that a bored employee is an unhappy employee. (Ragan Report)

Here’s a start-up idea for a food-services entrepreneur, offered at no charge.

Why not open a restaurant that serves “Mennonite food” — cuisine that is actually produced and consumed by the majority of the world’s Mennonites.

The Mennonite map has shifted and so should its food. A third of today’s Mennonites live in Africa. The next fastest-growing regions are Latin America and Asia. Imagine the possibilities.

You could call the restaurant “Menno’s Manna,” and serve daily specials like: • doro wat & injera from Ethiopia • ugali & chicken stew from Tanzania • chick-pea curry & dhal from India • rice & beans from Bolivia • coconut soup from Thailand • empanadas from Brazil • curried goat or ox-tail soup from Jamaica • tamales & menudo from Mexico

Oh yeah, and maybe some borscht and shoo-fly pie on weekends.

You’re welcome. ◆