The Tribune

By Ian Ferguson

People often refer to Christmas as the season of giving. It is a time when most corporate donors ‘show their shape’ and give to charitable organisations, churches, the homeless and other non-profit entities.

We trace the spirit of giving to sacred scripture, which rightfully commends that God loved the world so much that he gave his son to die for it. In this season of sharing love and resources, I believe it is important that just as Christ’s gift had meaning, and we recall the purpose even today, corporate giving should be entwined with a cause that has lasting meaning for generations to come.

Today’s article, then, is a call for ‘AMPED up’ giving at Christmas time for businesses of all sizes. Here is my wish list…

1. I wish more companies would give not less than one scholarship to the children of employees in their organisation.

The more we encourage formal tertiary education in our community, the better. Everyone truly wins when our society becomes a more educated and intellectually evolved one.

1. I wish more companies would adopt a park and create outdoor, fun activities for children and youth. Might I add that we are not referring to another basketball court attracting more drug-peddling hoodlums, but rather communit-engaging centres that create an atmosphere for wholesome family entertainment and enjoyment.

2. I wish a company would engage in a year-long commitment to cleaning up a neighbourhood in the vicinity of their establishment. Our visitors have been sharing with us through exit surveys for many years that despite our natural beauty, we must have greater concern for our natural environment.

Perhaps we should remind ourselves of the direct correlation between how we look and how we act. Clean up the environment and the people will behave differently (or so the research says).

1. I wish some company would give incentives to their employees who are fully engaged in their children’s pre-school, primary school and high school education.

Educators all agree that when parents and teachers support their children, success is inevitable. A ‘Support the A’s’ programme, corporate-sponsored after school tutoring and other business-driven initiatives only further reinforce the value of responsible parenting.

To whom much is given, much is required. Every company with a Business License to operate in the Bahamas should make a commitment this Christmas to spread love in more meaningful ways. The random giveaways (usually tied to marketing and promotions), the gift giving of items that will fade before the start of the New Year, and the sponsoring through funding of the various charities and Junkanoo groups all have their place, but we must develop a better way to be the socially responsible companies our country needs us to be.

Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas.

• NB: Ian R. Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.