Skills Venture runs innovative employee volunteering programmes in Kenya - see http://www.skillsventure.com/employers.htm. Employees use their business skills to mentor Kenyan entrepreneurs. The scheme is a great way of attracting and retaining top people, as well as good CSR.
What do others think about the appetite for such schemes among employers in the current climate?
I think companies are thinking creatively at the moment - this being the case, why not send your top talent off for a couple of months' unpaid leave in Kenya? Even if employers were to cover a volunteer's rent/mortgage payments, they'd save money, their people would develop for free, and individuals would get an adventure away from their office. Sounds fairly "win-win" to me (providing you can argue that the business benefit of working with you outweights your fees...)
Exactly - and while it's hard to provide hard numerical evidence, it's certainly the case that the benefits outweigh our fees, which are modest, even in the current economic climate!
I think it's a great idea and wish I would've had the opportunity with past employers. The current climate might make some companies a bit wary of trying something "new", but maybe that's exactly what they need!
We would argue strongly that the need is even greater in this climate. It's all about holding onto the best people, and offering these kinds of activities are a very cost-effective way of doing this...
So far feedback has been very positive. The main barrier has been the elaborate decision-making structures, and knowing which part of the company to approach - Head of HR, Head of CSR, heads of business units...
What are our expectations from the women legislators?
Can you redefine development? Can you ensure that women are not considered a liability? Can you ensure that girls are not killed before they are born and well-fed after they are?
Can you put…