 |
| Photo by Micheal Havens |
We can all relate to the
definition that explains companies as living and breathing parts of society.
Who would not? This definition brings with it, the idea that a company has to
do what is right by the people. Just as one man is supposed to live his life in a
manner that does not interfere with the other. I mean if we are sharing the
same space, then we need to co-exist. Thus, the birth of communication programs
such as corporate social responsibility-CSR. A way of companies letting
communities know, we are in this together.
However, in a bid to do what
is right by the people, this same people have found a way to corrupt this great
idea and turn it into something that people desist from. Companies
that are all about money, rarely last long and if they do, the skeletons in
their closets are what we can term as, shocking. These are the companies, when a
scandal hits and shakes the hinges of the closets: the stories that emerge can
supply newsrooms with stories for weeks.
In all these, and the ever-changing
landscape of operations and the tenacious pursuit of building companies that
last longer, on what rock will companies anchor this vision? Allow me to draw lessons
from within my closest boundaries-Kenya.
The Kenyan population has been
pushed to the edge, or so I think. Issues to do with, corruption, and ethnicity
will be or are the driving forces behind the many troubles facing us. The
former president Moi and group aped the ostrich mentality of burying their heads
in the sand. And for a long time, Kenyans lived with one another, without
strife. But deep, deep down, we knew it was too true to be true! As the
subsequent governments took their sits, reality dawned.
In the wake of the disputed presidential elections of 2007/08, reality hit us hard. When it was all said and done, we were a broken
people. After months of violence, we agreed that we needed to move past our
ethnic divisions: we stood against mass killings in the name of
politicians.
But, behind the scenes,
corruption was firmly cementing itself in society. The corrupt used our
violence to their advantage and who knows the resources that were plundered
during that period.
In 2013, when the world held
its breath, thinking we would feed our country to the dogs, we chose not to. However, this time round, the real teeth of corruption became
manifest. Years into the present regime, we have had numerous reports of
billion shilling embezzlement, with no follow-up on the matters. As we heal the
wounds caused by ethnic clashes, we sit and watch as our monies are embezzled
dime by dime.
If you thought it is in the
public sector alone, let me point you to where the real looters sit: In the
private sector. Mumias Sugar Company, Uchumi, and the glass shattering loss of
25.7 billion shillings by Kenya Airways support my claim.
Amidst all this confusion, the
question lurking in the minds of every concerned party is; what type of company
will last longer? Answer: the company that will join the people in fighting against
social injustices.
I know it sounds
incomprehensible, since most companies prefer being spectators in the political
games. However, the company that will go out of its way to support the people
and be the voice of reason when the rest, conform: is the company that will last longer and forever.
If not in their day-to-day operations, then at least in the hearts of the
people.
Today the hot button issue is
corruption. Tomorrow it will be something else. How can companies, the one whose vision is to last longer, make a
solid contribution? Using the many communication channels, companies can
brainstorm on creative campaign concepts that speak against vices such as
corruption.
A campaign, smeared all over
the media-telling people to change their ways, by first: refusing to bribe
officers and two: seeking legal redress on the lords of corruption is enough to
win the people’s hearts.
Moreover, as we know,
companies need people for their well-being. Both within and outside it as
employees and customers. I know there are predictions of having robots replace
us in the labour market: but it is an idea whose seriousness has not been
considered with due gravity! Once you touch the hearts of a people, you have
them for life. It is more like love. Go through the heart and you have her.
Which company thinks they are
ready for CSR reloaded?
Safaricom continues to dominate the telecommunications market. I predict that it will continue to for
a long time. If rumours are, true and they do venture into broadcasting (TV)
then more products for the masses to enjoy. As I write about this, Safaricom
has terminated and sought prosecution of 58 of her employees for fraud. What
company has ever been bold enough to act in such a manner? By ridding the enemy
within, you stand a chance of waging war on the enemy outside. Why? Because you
know, you have nothing to hide.
The calm nature of Kenyans does
not mean that all is well. Unlike Israelis, who from a young age are taught
to stand up to authority: Kenyans are socialized to worship authority and do as
they are told, even when they know it is to their detriment. Years later, the
difference is clear as day.
Kenya is in the Intensive Care
Unit (ICU) and the assailant, Corruption is at large. Who will bring this beast
to justice? Its time, companies assumed roles, no one has thought of
giving them. Suppose, Safaricom was to stand up against corruption on
a larger scale: after cleaning its house and wage war on corrupt politicians, could
things improve? CSR 3.0, just a thought.
0 comments:
Post a Comment