The Opsimath

Roots in Project magazine

Our charity - Roots - is featured in this month's edition of Project magazine as part of a focus on ethical thinking in project management.

The article is called "Projects in Uncontrolled Environments". Now there's a name that could catch on!

Social Capital

He had just finished busking and was now walking in the same direction as us a few metres in front; we had seen him earlier in his faded jester's hat, denim jeans dragging a little too long on the ground and baseball shoes that could not have kept his feet warm.

Then, with a slight change of direction, he moved in front of a man sitting, begging near a shop wall and gave the begging man some money.

This is an example of what sociologists call 'social capital', people giving to others, normally strangers, without expecting anything in return (sometimes referred to as 'generalised reciprocity').

What a stark contrast between this single event on one of our dark city streets and the stories that have dominated our press and media this last week.

One man, out of his own relative poverty, gives freely to another.

One man, in the midst of his incredible wealth, seeks more and more, refusing to give.

Social capital cannot be deposited in a bank - and perhaps that's a good thing. Social capital can only be invested into our communities, our workplaces and our families - and perhaps that's a very good thing.

Benefits - what to measure

In Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) we are encouraged to make the benefits that we are intending to realise as quantifiable and measurable as we can. This is a good discipline for our programmes and indeed, projects. MSP goes on to say that it is 'preferable' that we measure our benefits in financial terms.

But how do we measure those things that cannot be measured financially?

Current thinking around the 'Triple Bottom Line' can prove to be very useful here:

 PROFIT

At one time, this was the ONLY bottom line. Although still vitally important to the success of any organisation, it can no longer be considered in isolation. Today, the economic bottom line must be viewed alongside many other factors to ensure your organisation is operating efficiently and effectively.

PLANET

Environmental considerations include not only the world around us, but the health and well being of employees, customers and the wider community. The healthier all environments are, the more sustainable we will be, and our economy will be. What measures can we apply here?

PEOPLE

Corporate social responsibility, support for our wider community, and ethical behaviour are all important in maintaining and growing a business. Operating without these considerations makes a organisation vulnerable to negative pressure from stakeholders such as customers, governments, and the public. Being a positive social force should be an objective for all organisations

The triple bottom line allows us to really address the range of benefits (and outcomes) that we are seeking through our change initiatives.

Great developments at Roots

It's an exciting time at Roots, the education and training charity that we have founded to help the people of Southern Sudan.

First, we have recently been granted Registered Charity status by the Charity Commission. It took months to get there, but it's good to have that recognition, and of course it means that we can claim gift aid on all personal donations from tax payers.

Second, the cause-related marketing campaign that pearcemayfield have launched is going extremely well. The campaign gives Roots £10 for every training course booked, and the statistics are looking really good for both Roots and pearcemayfield. See www.pearcemayfield.com for more details. If you are interested in more information on the power of cause-related marketing let me know.

Third, our first major fund-raising event takes place this Sunday (26th October). This is a charity auction, details of which are on our website www.rootssudan.org. Ticket sales are going well, we've been given some tremendous items to auction (including a plane flight, holidays in Bulgaria, Cornwall and the Cotswolds, sports memorabilia, meals, and this week a firkin of ale!). We've received some good local press coverage, made contact with a number of very supportive organisations, and I believe that we can raise a significant amount of funds to help us to make a difference to the people of the Sudan. If you'd like to join us, or see a full catalogue of the items in order to make a bid, please let me know.

Help us to help him

 pearcemayfield have launched a very exciting campaign this month, which makes me very proud to be part of the company.

Let me quote:

At pearcemayfield we aim to be a great company, and that includes taking our corporate social responsibility seriously, and for us this responsibility arises from our set of values.

For example, we recognise that we have a responsibility to express integrity in our relationships among ourselves, towards our clients and suppliers, and in our dealings with the wider community of which we are a part.

So acting responsibly has always been part of who we are, and it will continue to be the way we do business. After all, as the writer Michael Porter says,

“Companies do not function in isolation from the society around them.”

Our ‘Autumn 2008’ Campaign is one way in which we are demonstrating our belief in our social responsibility. For every place booked on one of our public 5-day training events during September, October and November we are donating £10 to the work of Roots, a charity working to make a difference in the lives of people in Southern Sudan.

The specific aim of Roots is to work with the business community and with children and young people in this country that is attempting to recover from 40 years of war. They are seeking to provide training and education to people as they look to rebuild the infrastructure of the country.

If you would like to know more see the company website www.pearcemayfield.com

And for more about Roots:                                                      www.rootssudan.org