Author: Okta
Okta is a U.S.-based identity and access management company with a vision of accelerating a world where everyone can safely use any technology. Their cloud software solutions allow their customers to enable secure access and seamless experiences for their customers, employees, and partners.
In 2016, the organization joined Pledge 1% and founded their social impact and sustainability initiative, Okta for Good, to solidify their commitment to giving back to global communities. Okta initially pledged to give away 1% of employee time and product, but they decided to add 1% of equity prior to their IPO in April 2017. This was an important step and reminder to investors that Okta for Good was a part of what they were investing in. Strategic grantmaking is then done via the Okta for Good Fund, a donor-advised fund through the Tides Foundation, which enables strategic grantmaking. The Fund distributed $5.48 million in grants in fiscal year 2024, mostly focused on digital equity and tech for good.
The best news? They are just getting started.
Learn how Okta’s equity commitment has set them up for future success in their case study below.
Author: Docusign
Docusign is a San Francisco-based corporation that provides solutions for intelligent agreement management, accelerating the process of doing business and simplifying people’s lives. Their core mission is to redefine how the world comes together and agrees.
Docusign was one of the earliest companies to join the Pledge 1% movement. They have integrated social impact into the DNA of their culture since Day 1 by encouraging employees to volunteer as part of their VTO policy.
As the company grew, they continued to strategically align their social impact program with their business by integrating new technology and products, like the Intelligent Agreement Platform (IAM), into their product donation program. This has been a game changer for nonprofits to streamline their agreement signing processes and has allowed Docusign to assess and scale their impact programs alongside their core business.
Read more about how Docusign has designed their social impact program to keep pace with their changing business strategies and growing team in the case study below.
Cruise is an all-electric autonomous vehicle company building the world’s most advanced self-driving cars. In April 2021, Cruise formalized its signature social impact program, Cruise for Good, by joining Pledge 1% and pledging to use its fleet to serve local communities in need.
At the heart of their program is partnerships with local organizations and leaders who best know the communities they seek to serve. These partners have helped Cruise understand how to most effectively have a positive social impact. Recently, the company teamed up with the Houston Food Bank, to address food insecurity which affects 1 million Houstonitans.
Partners are also involved in the Cruise for Good Advisory Board, which informs Cruise’s social impact strategy and investments. The Board meets two times a year and also convenes in smaller working groups as needed to provide Cruise with direct and deep connections to the local communities they serve.
Partners can be a great resource for companies looking to formalize their social impact program. Read more about how this strategy has helped Cruise in their case study below.
Crunchbase is a U.S.-based company that provides intelligent prospecting software powered by live company data for salespeople, CEOs, and venture capitalists to find and close deals. The company joined Pledge 1% as a Builder in 2018 by pledging equity, time, and product as a way to set an example in the startup community.
Crunchbase first integrated their social impact vision into their products. In 2020, they introduced the Diversity Spotlight to highlight data about companies with diverse leadership and the investors who fund them. They rolled out this feature with key partners like All Raise, BLCK VC, and StartOut when adding LGBTQ+ tags. This feature is helping Crunchbase inspire other companies to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to ultimately close the equity gaps in the startup world.
In addition to these features, Crunchbase encourages its employees to give time via their Volunteer Time Off policy.
Read how Crunchbase is leveraging its platform, team, and equity to inspire a more inclusive and generous startup ecosystem in the case study below.
Toast is a cloud-based, all-in-one digital technology platform purpose-built for the entire restaurant community. In 2019, Toast launched its social impact arm, Toast.org, with the purpose of enriching the food experience for all and creating a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world.
They joined the Pledge 1% movement in 2021 to further activate their philanthropy, people, and product towards this mission. This resulted in the Changemaker Product Suite, which is available to Toast customers for free with the goal of empowering restaurants to be local community hubs. Through this program, Toast has partnered with local organizations on accelerating the development and implementation of scalable food waste solutions, among other things.
In addition, Toast created an innovative three-month rotational program for employees from the R&D team to join the social impact team and see how Toast’s product is impacting customers. This is helping them get internal buy-in all while leveraging the best of their team talent and time to have an impact.
Learn more about how Toast is putting its philanthropy, people, and product pledge to action in the case study below.
Originally posted on Bucher-Suter.com.
One year on: The b+s PLUS Program
A year ago, Bucher + Suter committed to Pledge 1%, to give more back to the communities we’re a part of, and to start viewing more of our activities through a lens of social responsibility. A year ago, the b+s PLUS program was born.
There have been successes, there have been challenges, and there have been failures. There’s a lot still to do – but it feels like we’re on the right path!
This blog serves as a record of where we are right now, where we want to get to, and how we plan to get there. While, as an organization, Pledge 1% does not audit and does not require us to report our progress, they encourage each company to take ownership of their program’s success. So, it feels right and fair that we take accountability for the things we’ve managed and that that still proves out of reach.
The b+s PLUS program is tied to 3 pillars of Pledge 1%: Time, Profit, and Product. So, let’s explore our commitments and our progress regarding all 3:
Giving Profit
Commitment: 1 – 3% of profit split between NFPOs and the sponsorship of Noser Young apprentices education
The reality is that giving up 1% of our annual profit was something we had long achieved at Bucher + Suter. In fact – it’s been beyond 3% every year for the last ten years. When the PLUS task force was assembled, it wasn’t because the members felt that Bucher + Suter needed to do considerably more giving back across the three pillars – it was because we wanted to give back in a more orchestrated manner, avoid siloed endeavors, and get better at recording our successes (and failures) when it comes to corporate social responsibility.
Given the nature of a new program and the importance of reaching for low-hanging fruit in building momentum, the task force proposed remaining committed to 1-3% of our profit. The idea being that we should concentrate our energies on making sure that we grow the program in the areas we’ve been less focused on – giving up our time and products. It may seem like a cop-out, but being able to focus on the things we haven’t been doing at all has allowed the program to gather pace in a way it wouldn’t have if we’d force-increased our profit commitment.
Every event we’ve sponsored so far this year has been influenced by the b+s PLUS program and our profit-giving pillar. From charity donations on behalf of our booth visitors to bikes bought (and then built by our very hands. See: Giving Time) for underprivileged kids and planting trees for those willing to give up some time for a chat and a demo, we’re making sustainable giving part of our participation at events – as standard.
One year on: In the last year, Bucher + Suter has given well in excess of its profit-giving goal to various charities on behalf of our customers and through sponsoring the education of Noser Young apprentices. As we look into the next year of the program, we will strive to maintain our commitments, and we remain ever on the lookout for charities and organizations making a difference on a local and international level.
Giving Time
Commitment: 1% of company time donated to NFPOs and local community organizations in company teams or individually.
Since the inception of the b+s PLUS program, each Bucher + Suiter employee is granted two days of VTO per year. The commitment to pledge 1% of our time has proved ultimately more challenging than giving up profits from the company, and the primary reasons were two-fold:
- Inherently, more work is involved in organizing VTO than handing over money or paid-for physical items. Whether it be active employee engagement to encourage and educate around individual VTO or organizing full-day events for multiple staff members, the Time pillar is, by its very nature, more time-intensive than the other two pillars. However, as you’ll see summarized below, it is what we, as employees, take the most from.
- There’s also been a difficulty in finding organizations to work with. This issue has been somewhat localized. As Bucher + Suter has three distinct global offices: headquarters in Switzerland, an office in Germany, and one in Colorado, USA – we’ve had to organize events at a local level – for our local employees. Switzerland has proven more complicated than we anticipated – and running VTO days in Switzerland has proven somewhat complex, bureaucratic, and expensive. Contrary to that, organizing VTO in the States has proven relatively straightforward. Many organizations are open to help, and volunteering seems to be more widely engrained in US society. Indeed, more than 50% of our US employees (all of whom work remotely, making team events slightly more challenging to organize) already volunteered at an individual level.
Individual endeavors
As mentioned above, a significant number of people at Bucher + Suter have been regularly involved in individual volunteering since well before the birth of the program. The difference now is that, as part of the program, they’re paid by Bucher + Suter for some of that volunteering – if they so choose. From snow sports trips for kids and people with disabilities to guided cycling for people with visual impairment and helping out at food banks and soup kitchens – there was a wide array of volunteering activities already being undertaken by Bucher + Suter staff members.
The vast majority of people involved in individual VTO this past year were already volunteering on their own. Some work remains for us to encourage, educate, and help mobilize those who are interested but haven’t quite taken the step yet.
Team Events
At the program’s birth, the marketing team collaborated with Caritas Switzerland for a farm mountain mission. They experienced the mountain farm lifestyle, partaking in labor-intensive tasks like spreading cow manure and erecting fences. Despite the physical challenges and a few comical mishaps, the team left with an appreciation for Alpine farming and the importance of Swiss mountain maintenance. Their journey culminated in a deeper connection with one another, a sense of accomplishment, and a fierce commitment to the Pledge 1% initiative.
In November, Bucher + Suter employees from our Bensheim office took part in a VTO day at the Drachenberge local community adventure park, run by the Sterntaler non-profit association. Braving challenging weather, the team assisted in constructing walls and other maintenance tasks for the park, which aims to offer experiential learning for local youths. The day, which ended with drinks, reflections, and camaraderie, underlined the importance of community service and the pleasure derived from it.
On June 4th in Las Vegas, the Bu cher + Suter team converged for a special VTO day, where they participated in two different activities, working with two different local Vegas organizations. The morning began with assembling 15 bikes for the local community in partnership with Bikes for Goodness Sake. Despite challenges like missing toolkits, the team’s resourcefulness ensured that most bikes were nearly complete before the professional mechanics arrived to check them over and give them a seal of approval. These bikes were then donated to the Stupak Community Center, a hub of resources for local children. In the afternoon, the team collaborated with the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) to transport school supplies for NPHY’s annual Education Drive. The day underscored the significance of community involvement and companies’ impact on supporting and uplifting those in need. The Bucher + Suter team remains dedicated to making positive change, emphasizing the daily opportunities to make a difference in the world.
Additionally, during our festive meet-up in the States last year, our employees helped deliver hearing tests to older people with the wonderful charity Songs for Sound in Nashville, Tennessee.
If you know of organizations based in Switzerland, Germany, or the US that could make good use of our time in some capacity, please reach out to plus@bucher-suter.com.
One year on: The truth is – we’re nowhere close to our target of 1% of staff timedonated. Complications around organizing team events, especially in Switzerland, where the majority of our staff reside, and what we’ve recently realized has been a lack of internal education and guidance from the PLUS task force, mean we have a lot of work to do. However, the good fight continues – because we know that giving up our time to good causes has benefits all round. Empowering, organizing, and promoting as much participation as possible remains our goal.
Giving Product
Commitment: 1% of our product licenses should be given out for free
While Bucher + Suter is a partner, reseller, and managed service provider of Cisco, we also have our own in-house development, producing industry-leading applications for the Webex and Cisco Contact Center platforms, including our flagship line of CRM connectors: b+s Connects. It’s the licenses of those products that we’d like to give to non-profit organizations – helping them to streamline and personalize their service at the point of interaction and helping their contact center agent teams run as efficiently as possible.
Giving product remains, by far, the most challenging of the three pillars. Communication with TechSoup and Salesforce for Nonprofits has, until now, yet to lead to anything, and we get relatively few inquiries directly from NPOs.
We’ve given away our product in the past, giving all types of businesses and organizations burst licenses to help them cope under the strain of peak contact during the COVID-19 pandemic but to date – we’re yet to bring a charity or NPO on board, as part of our Pledge. 2 conversations with two large non-profits remain ongoing. We hope to have some positive news on that front soon, but we need to find a way to achieve better outreach.
We must better promote our solutions to non-profits and show how they can help them solve their organizational challenges in the contact center. Work is underway to dedicate a page of the website to non-profits to help with messaging and active outreach through our technology partners continues, but again – we’re closer to the start than we’d like.
One year on
We honestly thought that giving up our product would be pretty straightforward – but so far, we’re struggling with this pillar. A lot of work remains, not least in the area of marketing, but we’re up to it and have an extensive network and community that we know can help match us with organizations in need. If you know of or work for an organization using Cisco or Webex Contact Center and think that running a more efficient contact center could be of benefit, get in touch with us at plus@bucher-suter.com.
So, in summary, it’s been a dynamic and fluctuating inaugural year for the PLUS program and our commitment to Pledge 1%. There’s plenty to do as we look to the year ahead, but the main thing is we’re started, dedicated, and have backing across the breadth of the company to continue pursuing our commitments.
For more information on the b+s PLUS program or for inquiries regarding the availability of our time or products, please reach out to plus@bucher-suter.com or fill out the contact form below.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Lisa Jordan
Vice President of Delivery, CG Infinity
Dallas, Texas, USA
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I am a member of the leadership team at a technology consulting and services firm. Most of the work I do fills the space between business and technology in the form of CIO advisory, product owner, and project management office services. I work closely with several practice areas, including our Salesforce practice.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Embrace Equity.” What does this mean to you? How can we build workplaces that are more equitable and inclusive?
I think the technology field has reached a stage where most people appreciate difference more than same-ness. What remains to be addressed are assumptions that lead to hidden barriers. Equity to me means that we dispel assumptions and remove the hidden barriers to success. We can’t assume that a coworker appreciates our jokes, or that a single parent would prefer a lighter work assignment, or that an older colleague wouldn’t enjoy a rowdy after-work happy hour. We just need to open the conversation. Fostering an environment that promotes communication and curiosity will lead to a more equitable and inclusive environment.
Do you have any mentors or role models who have helped you on your personal journey?
When I started my career in technology, there were so few women working in tech that it was hard to find someone who could relate to my experience. Cindy Shirk was one of my first mentors at Deloitte and later at Perot Systems. Ann Michele Bowlin has been a long-term mentor/friend/role model. I owe a lot of my leadership style and professional growth to both of these remarkable women.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Don’t listen just to be ready to reply — listen in order to understand.
The past few years have brought many new and unprecedented challenges. What keeps you motivated or inspires you to stay optimistic?
I’m sort of a perpetual optimist by nature. When I find it hard to keep going, though, I think about the thrill of learning something new, the joy of building something good, and a sense of purpose in my community.
Pledge 1% helps companies of all sizes and stages leverage their assets for social good. Why do you think it’s important that companies prioritize social impact? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
Companies have influence and power — they cannot avoid having a social impact. By choosing to prioritize social impact, they can intentionally focus the energy of their company towards social changes that align with their values. Our organization has chosen to focus our energy on addressing hunger. I love the personal happiness that volunteering brings, but the collective “feel good” that we get from volunteering together is multiplied joy.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Positive — I try to find the good and I don’t give up easily.
Do you have any unique or useful life hacks to help get through your day?
It’s not fancy, but I use a paper planner so I can sit quietly without digital distractions and lay out priorities and goals each day.
Do you have any go-to apps or tools use love to use?
Mural was a life saver during the pandemic for facilitating virtual discussions and I continue to use it now.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I really missed being able to travel during the pandemic. I’m so happy to be travelling again, both for work and for fun. This year, I’m planning several short trips with my husband to get back out and explore.
Originally posted on Charity Digital
The rise of the 1% club
According to 2023’s Sunday Times Giving List, the UK’s most generous philanthropist is Chris Hohn, who gives 15% of his wealth away to good causes by ensuring his firm Children’s Investment Fund’s profits go to its foundation.
In receiving the accolade from the newspaper, Hohn urged more super wealthy individuals to give a significant proportion of their income to good causes.
“If they could understand, even on a simple level, the joy they could have by sharing it (their wealth), I think they might all be happier people,” he says.
But any giving should be significant and avoid “tokenism”, he adds.
One-way corporates and wealthy individuals can give effectively to charities is to commit to donating a minimum of 1% of their wealth to good causes.
Already this global movement is attracting attention among firms, including in the UK.
Pledge 1%
A notable ‘1% club’ campaign group is Pledge 1%, which is headquartered in the U.S. and aims to inspire “early-stage corporate philanthropy” by giving a “portion of your future success to support non-profits”.
The Pledge 1% campaigns founders include Salesforce, Atlassian, and Rally and its partners include Australian Philanthropic Services, Techstars, and Full Circle Fund.
Thousands of firms have already signed up, including notable technology focused corporates such as Adobe and Weebly. 10,000 members have so far pledged more than $500m (£402.5m).
By committing a proportion of future growth, the more successful a business is, the more money is available for charities. This can be through committing 1% of:
- Profits – perhaps by creating a foundation for example to allocate funds to good causes
- Time – perhaps by setting up volunteering schemes for employees to donate time to charity. Alternatively, businesses can donate skills, carry out pro-bono work, and set up a workforce development programme
- Equity – perhaps arranged by setting aside corporate equity to charities. New businesses can issue and transfer shares to charity at the time they are formed, for example. A simpler way is for company founders and chief executives to offer personal equity pledges that do not require board or shareholder approval
- Product – businesses can also commit to giving through giving products, such as computer software, services, and hardware such as computers. This can be through giving away the product itself or offering free or discounted subscriptions and licences. Many of these dealscan be accessed via Charity Digital
1% for the Planet
The 1% for the Planet campaign group was set up buy Yvon Chouinard, founder of the Patagonia clothing brand. Through this scheme corporates commit to giving 1% of their wealth, either financial, in kind or through promotional support directly to environmental groups.
The group says that extra funding for environmental causes is important as only 3% of philanthropic giving goes to green non-profits.
Since it was established in 2002, its members have given $435m (£350m) to environmental causes.
Calls for more UK corporates to join
In the UK the Directory of Social Change is leading calls for more UK corporates and wealthy individuals to join the 1% club.
Through its 2023 Guide to UK Company Giving report, it analysed data provided by 223 companies. This found that 70 had either given or pledged to give 1% of their wealth to good causes.
Based on their financial records for 2020 and 2021 this commitment equates to £230m.
“When we’re talking about companies who can make huge pre-tax profits each year, relatively small commitments (1%) can have a large cumulative effect (£230 million),” states the DSC.
It adds that “despite the difficulties that companies have faced over the past two years, they continue to inject a significant amount of cash and in-kind donations to the charity sector each year”.
“The 1% Club is a great example of corporate organisations supporting charities and helping those who are facing the most challenging of times.”
Case Study: 1% to housing charities
Among UK organisations to already join the 1% club is the Nationwide Building Society. Each year 1% of the building society’s pre-tax profits are donated to good cause, including through its own social investment work.
Through its corporate charity and other initiatives, it uses the money to help good causes involved in tackling housing problems, as well as improve numeracy and money skills among young people.
For example, via its community grants programme, awards of up to £60,000 are made to charities, community land trusts and housing cooperatives. In 2021/22 a combined £4m was awarded to 94 housing projects UK wide.
Originally posted on CRM Solver
CRMSolver’s Solvers Academy: Empowering Suriname’s ICT Talent Through Salesforce.com Training
Introduction
CRMSolver’s Solvers Academy is making headlines in Suriname as the first official Salesforce partner in the country. As reported in a recent article on Keynews.sr, the academy is committed to increasing ICT opportunities for Surinamese individuals through comprehensive Salesforce training and soft skills development. With a focus on social entrepreneurship, CRMSolver’s Solvers Academy is transforming the ICT landscape in Suriname and positioning itself as a leader in Salesforce education.
What Sets Solvers Academy Apart:
A Commitment to Giving Back: As co-founder Jerrel Van Eer states, giving back to the community is one of CRMSolver’s core values. As a member of the 1% Pledge family, CRMSolver invests time and financial resources in the community, with the goal of creating a positive impact.
Unleashing Suriname’s ICT Potential: The Solvers Academy aims to increase ICT opportunities for Surinamese people both locally and abroad. Suriname is home to a wealth of talent in the ICT sector, and with the right Salesforce training and motivation, these individuals can offer their services to countries outside of Suriname.
Building a Global Presence: With a team boasting a wealth of experience and a track record of successful client-centered Salesforce systems implementation across the globe, CRMSolver and the Solvers Academy are well-positioned to expand Suriname’s ICT reach.
Comprehensive Salesforce Training: The academy offers in-depth training in Salesforce systems, as well as soft skills development. This balanced approach ensures that trainees are well-equipped to guide clients in selecting the right custom CRM system tailored to their specific business needs.
Fostering Local Connections: As part of their Salesforce training, academy participants attend local meet-ups where they can network with peers and share experiences. In December 2022, Jerrel Van Eer traveled to Surinam to initiate the Salesforce Meetup Suriname, further fostering a sense of community.
Conclusion
CRMSolver’s Solvers Academy is making waves in Suriname by providing opportunities for growth and development in the ICT sector through Salesforce education. With a focus on giving back to the community and a passion for empowering local talent, the academy is poised to make a lasting impact on Suriname’s ICT landscape. Be sure to read the full story on Keynews.sr and share this exciting news about Salesforce training and opportunities with your network!
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Sara Cabras
Digital Academy & HR Manager, Balance SPA
Cagliari, Italy
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
I hold three key positions at Balance, including Recruiting Manager, HR Manager, and Responsible for the Balance Digital Academy. As Recruiting Manager, I am responsible for identifying, attracting, and selecting top talent in our industry. As HR Manager, I oversee staffing, resource allocation, capacity planning, and ensure that we continue to deliver high-quality service that Balance is known for. As Responsible for the Balance Digital Academy, my focus is on supporting the development of everyone in Balance, preparing them for their certification journey, as well as managing their training and career development.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Embrace Equity.” What does this mean to you? How can we build workplaces that are more equitable and inclusive?
Embrace Equity means providing equal access to opportunities and resources for everyone, regardless of their background. For me, this means promoting gender diversity and inclusion, empowering women, and supporting women in STEM while providing resources and tools to help women achieve their full potential and offer equal opportunities for career growth and development as well as supporting their work-life balance.
To build a more equitable and inclusive workplace, our company has made it a priority to invest in our employees’ development in innovative and personalized ways. In fact we have launched our own Digital Academy, where we take action and invest in employee up-skilling and reskilling programs. By providing equal opportunities for career growth and development, supporting work-life balance, and promoting gender equality in the workplace, we are fostering a culture of inclusion.
While it may require a deliberate and ongoing effort, we believe that by taking these steps, we can create a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all employees. Through continuous education and awareness, we work hard to maintain a culture that values diversity and inclusion. This, in turn, can lead to increased employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention, as well as promoting a more just and equitable society for all.
Do you have any mentors or role models who have helped you on your personal journey?
I didn’t have any formal mentors or role models in my personal journey, but I always learn something new with the people who I meet. All the experiences I have had, even the negative ones, have helped me become the person I am today, both personally and professionally. I was committed to achieving my goals and found inspiration and guidance in other ways. I attended workshops and conferences and sought advice from peers and colleagues. I was also open to seeking out mentorship or coaching opportunities through professional organizations or networking groups. By doing so, I was able to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed both personally and professionally.
Don’t be afraid, in everything, there is a motivation or something that will serve you when you are in your place and feel it. Always bring out the best in every life experience. Ultimately, I believe that success is achieved through hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude, and I am committed to remaining focused on my goals.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
The best piece of advice I ever received is to always maintain a positive attitude and to stay committed to my goals. I was taught that hard work and dedication are essential components for achieving success, but having a positive outlook and a strong sense of purpose are just as important. This advice has helped me overcome challenges and setbacks, and has motivated me to keep pushing forward even when faced with adversity. By staying focused on my goals and maintaining a positive mindset, I am able to approach challenges with a solution-focused mindset and persevere through difficult times.
The past few years have brought many new and unprecedented challenges. What keeps you motivated or inspires you to stay optimistic?
The past few years have certainly brought many new and unprecedented challenges, which has greatly impacted our personal and professional lives. What keeps me motivated and inspired to stay optimistic is a combination of factors, including the importance of never giving up, staying positive, and finding a true work-life balance.
In difficult circumstances, it is essential to stay positive and focused on finding solutions to the challenges we face. This mindset has helped me to overcome obstacles and find creative ways to adapt to new circumstances.
Additionally, it is crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance, which can be a real challenge. However, I was lucky enough to work in Balance that prioritized work-life balance and provided us with the tools and resources we needed to find this balance, even during these challenging times.
Pledge 1% helps companies of all sizes and stages leverage their assets for social good. Why do you think it’s important that companies prioritize social impact? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
I believe by prioritizing social impact, we can make a positive difference in the world while also building a stronger and more successful business. Through my own work, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that companies can have on the environment, communities, and workforce when they prioritize social responsibility.
The specific example would be, at Balance, we believe that prioritizing sustainability is key to building a successful and socially responsible business and it is our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment while also supporting the communities where we operate. Through constant partnerships with different non-profit organizations, we are able to regenerate our ecosystem and promote positive social outcomes. We believe that it is our responsibility to give back to the community and contribute to a more sustainable future. We also recognize that diversity and inclusion are essential to fostering a more innovative and creative workplace culture. By creating a more welcoming and supportive workplace environment, we can attract and retain top talent and provide opportunities for all employees to contribute to the success of our business.
Through our commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and diversity and inclusion, we are working to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
If I had to describe myself in one word, that word would be determination. I’ve always had a strong drive to achieve my goals and push myself to new heights, both personally and professionally. I believe that having determination is essential to success, as it fuels us to overcome challenges, take risks, and strive for excellence. Overall, I believe that my determination is one of my greatest strengths and has helped me to achieve success in many areas of my life. It has driven me to pursue my passions, take on new challenges, and persist in the face of obstacles.
Do you have any unique or useful life hacks to help get through your day?
Absolutely! One life hack that I find particularly useful is to remember to smile throughout the day. Even if things get hectic or stressful, taking a moment to smile can help to release tension and increase positivity. It’s a simple yet effective way to improve your mood and approach your day with a more optimistic mindset. Plus, smiling can also have a positive effect on those around you, which can help to improve team morale and productivity.
Do you have any go-to apps or tools use love to use?
Yes, one of my go-to apps that I love to use is Spotify. I don’t have personal preferences or experiences, but I can tell you that Spotify is a great app for streaming music, podcasts and audiobooks. Listening to music while working has a positive impact on productivity and creativity. It helps me to create a more relaxed and focused working environment, as well as provide motivation and energy especially when I start the day in the morning.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I am a naturally curious person, and I always try to approach life with a sense of openness and excitement about what’s to come. This year, I am looking forward to challenging myself to try new things and explore new experiences. On a personal level, I am excited to travel more and explore new cultures.
Professionally, I am looking forward to taking on new responsibilities and projects that will allow me to grow and develop my skills further. Additionally, I am always seeking to learn more and stay up-to-date on industry trends and advancements, which is why I plan to attend relevant workshops and conferences to stay stimulated and engaged in my work. Overall, I am eager to see what opportunities and experiences come my way this year and to approach them with a curious and open mindset.