Volunteering, the Best Business Strategy Money Can’t Buy

By Laura Asiala

Like most experienced business professionals, I am highly suspicious of things that seem “too good to be true.”  So, I shouldn’t be so surprised when people continue to ask—even demand, “What’s the business case for corporate volunteerism?”

International corporate volunteerism (ICV), or global pro bono, was one of the top considerations—and one of the most popular sessions—at two recent high-profile events regarding volunteerism: the U.S. State Department’s Forum on International Corporate Volunteerism and the Points of Light conference, which explored and promoted volunteerism of all kinds. Having directed ICV efforts of a multi-billion dollar international enterprise, I can tell you the question is frequently asked internally as well. So, maybe this is a good time to “pull back the curtain” and as one of the sessions at Points of Light highlighted, learn to “Speak Corporate” when it comes to ICV.

Volunteering is CSR—In Action

In order to make the business case, you always need to think value.  Businesses are responsible for generating value, but value, contrary to public opinion, is not always measured in dollars.  Sometimes that value is delivered in the form of information, services, or influence. But, recognizing what the business needs is the first step in determining how volunteerism can be used to generate the value. Fortunately, in volunteering, it’s a virtuous cycle.

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