Interview with ClickZ: Businesses Rally to Assist Victims in Japan
The delightful Adaline Lau from ClickZ called me the other day for some thoughts on corporate giving following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. It was interesting to consider how companies had responded and also their apparent motivations for response. Clearly the ability to rally their communities or networks around a cause is a phenomenal testament to both technology and connectivity.
From my POV, the most critical piece (CSR 101) is that a company's motives are not what publicity can be gained but how can it help. Any publicity benefit is a by-product only. Perhaps I'm being idealistic. In any case, here's the story:
Businesses Rally to Assist Victims in Japan
Hong Kong-- As Japan battles a potential nuclear catastrophe following last week's earthquake and tsunami, businesses are racing to offer a helping hand to assist victims. Companies, especially those specializing in tech and interactive media, are using their technology prowess to facilitate disaster relief efforts.
However, where do companies draw the line in raising awareness of their cause without being misinterpreted as being self-promotional and insensitive to the crisis?
Jeremy Woolf, senior vice president, global social media practice lead at PR firm Text 100, offered this advice: "You do any sort of CSR [corporate social responsibility] because it's the right thing to do. You don't do it because it's a way of generating publicity."
Continues...
To support the relief effort, please review the following links:
Hong Kong Red Cross
International Red Cross
From my POV, the most critical piece (CSR 101) is that a company's motives are not what publicity can be gained but how can it help. Any publicity benefit is a by-product only. Perhaps I'm being idealistic. In any case, here's the story:
Businesses Rally to Assist Victims in Japan
Hong Kong-- As Japan battles a potential nuclear catastrophe following last week's earthquake and tsunami, businesses are racing to offer a helping hand to assist victims. Companies, especially those specializing in tech and interactive media, are using their technology prowess to facilitate disaster relief efforts.
However, where do companies draw the line in raising awareness of their cause without being misinterpreted as being self-promotional and insensitive to the crisis?
Jeremy Woolf, senior vice president, global social media practice lead at PR firm Text 100, offered this advice: "You do any sort of CSR [corporate social responsibility] because it's the right thing to do. You don't do it because it's a way of generating publicity."
Continues...
To support the relief effort, please review the following links:
Hong Kong Red Cross
International Red Cross