Suggestions and questions to consider, based on ODSC discussion 2/23/10
- One potential value for businesses is in developing their workforce. Think about how training programs can provide them with pre-trained employees, i.e. if you train the people you're trying to place in jobs, you're rendering a service to future employers.
- What does business commitment look like? Is it only through employment, or are there other kinds of commitment? Can it be measured by comments or document reviews conducted on your website or through other, not in-person formats? Are there ways to be tracking engaged participation on our website?
- If we charged a nominal fee for business participation, how would that change the dynamic? Currently the program isn't charging businesses for offering this service, which provides them with qualified workers. There are other organizations charging for similar services, providing students, interns, and workers to companies, in what could be a pro-bono service - and they are clearly defining the value-added to those companies.
- Appeal to the companies' Corporate social responsibility. Identify companies that have this as part of their mission, and use that as an entry-point for this service.
- Think about redistribution of turf between service providers as part of the picture (e.g. if service providers all re-assign services based on a specific age group, to cut down on redundancy.)
- Create a brand that you could give to a company to display on their website to show that they're "disability -friendly".
- Don't be afraid to start small with a group that really gets it, and build systems change from there.
- Spend time being self-aware - know what your own strengths and weaknesses are and look for backup where needed.
- What web-based service would give businesses a chance to discuss what they want to talk about, or to give them answers or information that would be useful?
Diverse abilities, aligned skills create a successful collaboration.
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BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH BUSINESS WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO THE DISABILITY INITIATIVE:
ReplyDeleteA good case study for corporate pay-for-services is Year-Up, whereby the businesses actually sponsor the training of the Year-Up students as well as providing internship opportunities.
CREATING A 3-WAY DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE DISABILITY INITIATIVE, THE BUSINESSES AND THE RECRUITS
Identifying the business and corporate needs is at the forefront of building long term relationships with them. However this need not be in traditional meeting/monthly meeting formats. Alternative online applications, particularly with businesses with which you have existing relationship are less time consuming for both you and them. Setting up online dialogues, surveys and other interactive features provides a less time consuming alternative as well as a better way to collect data and start creating metrics of analysis to determine what does and does-not work over time.
Following the progress of your clients (recruits) is also important, especially for those who remain employed within an organization for more than 2 years. Measurable outcomes are powerful tools for both your funders and the corporates/businesses. Being able to benchmark their progress against other “typical” employees is powerful bargaining tool. You also want feedback from the clients (recruits) to understand what works for them, and where their employees are failing them.
Ultimately you want to close the loop in the three way dialogue, and get the recruits and the business/corporates talking to each other as well.
A few brief comments about engaging businesses with your organization and CSR.
ReplyDeleteWays of tracking engaged participation on our website? A blog or forum that encourages dialog, offers valuable content, and is monitored and current.
Appeal to companies’ CSR? Identify companies that have CSR mission?
Create a brand to give to a company to display & show that they’re disability friendly?
Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship:http://www.bcccc.net/
membership driven, members listed on website, conducts research, produces white papers, articles, holds conferences, webinars…
JustMeans: http://www.justmeans.com/
Stanford Social Innovation Review:www.ssireview.org/
For Disability-specific programs and sponsorship:
Social Enterprise initiatives – often focused on specific outcomes, like microenterprise, small business development, training for underemployed…There is a web of consulting firms, non-profits, foundations that support a wide range of initiatives. Initial research to identify programs/organizations aligned with your interests is a valuable first step.
Social Enterprise Alliance:http://www.se-alliance.org/
Social Venture Partners: http://www.socialventurepartners.org/
New Profit, Inc.: http://www.newprofit.com/cgi-bin/iowa/home/index.html
Web-based services to offer businesses an opportunity to talk, give them info or answers.
Blogs, forums, wikis, specific sites that focus on OD, training, CSR. Or the NGO could post Qs. on blogs, websites that would spur discussion and resources.
I'm happy to elaborate on any of these thoughts if there is interest.
Paula Cohen
Check out this terrific article from Fast Company
ReplyDelete51 Great Sites for CSR and Sustainability:
http://www.fastcompany.com/1564650/51-great-sites-for-corporate-social-responsibility-and-sustainability
Enjoy
Paula