Real Estate
The gift that keeps on giving
Charitable involvement benefits companies all year long.
By Troy Sympson
Smart Business Miami | January 2008
Ben Eisenberg
Managing Director
Transwestern
Although the holidays are behind us,
there’s no reason the giving spirit
should end. Many charities need assistance year-round, and getting your company
involved in charities will not only help those
less fortunate in your community, it will also
help your business and your employees.
“Individuals and companies that get
involved with charities will almost always
get more out of the experience than they
can ever put in, but it takes more than
a financial commitment,” says Ben
Eisenberg, Managing Director of
Transwestern and Chair-Elect of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida.
Eisenberg has been involved in numerous
charities at the Board level for the past 11
years. “To truly make a difference, you
need to put in time and effort and you need
to be passionate about what you’re doing.
“Before becoming a Board member of a
charity, you need to identify a cause that
will drive your interest over time, understand the different roles and responsibilities of the Board and be clear about what
will be expected of you and/or your company. You must embrace the charity’s mission and have a passion for the charitable
goals and philosophies of the organization.
It’s important to have a feeling of personal
engagement and excitement for the cause
that you select.”
Smart Business spoke with Eisenberg
about how companies can take part in
charitable endeavors and the various benefits that come with getting involved.
What kind of commitment is expected of a
Board member by a nonprofit organization?
As business people, time is a valuable
commodity that we must carefully allocate.
I often speak of being passionate about the
organization and its mission because giving
our time requires sacrifice away from our
family, business and personal activities. To
many, the giving of their time is their single
greatest commitment. In addition, a Board
member must have a willingness to share
this knowledge and experience with others, even those who may be looked at as
competitors in the business world.
Furthermore, members must be comfortable when calling on their network of friends, business associates and relatives
for support. Most charitable Boards have
the common ‘give/get’ commitment, where
there is an expectation to donate and raise
a minimum amount of funds. In all of this,
it is critical that one understands the
responsibilities, time and energy required
of participating on a Board prior to joining.
How does a company benefit by being
involved in a charitable organization?
First, it allows companies the chance to
develop long-term partnerships and relationships with different people within their
community who share similar values.
Secondly, because everyone is working
together toward one common goal, it is an
opportunity for employees to join together
and share knowledge with those who they
may not often interact with on a day-to-day
basis, improving on team building in an
environment outside of the office. Thirdly,
when your company is active in the community, it acts as a channel for more reach
and exposure. Finally, and most importantly, the act of giving and compassion by supporting our community not only makes one
a better business and company but fulfills
an obligation that many companies have to
give back to the community. Transwestern
encourages all salaried employees to dedicate one work day each year, with pay, to
volunteer with a charity of their choice. Our
non-salaried employees dedicate thousands
of hours each year to various charities.
What are the business benefits for an individual?
You are surrounding yourself with people
with a varied degree of skill sets, history
and experiences, which often open our
minds to new ideas that we may not have
thought of.
From a broader sense, because one is
constantly being exposed to new surroundings and people, it is a great tool for
developing upon skills, such as leadership,
communication, organization, networking
and management. Most importantly, you
are surrounded by individuals who share
the same common goal, which can help
develop a sense of self-identity.
What are the personal benefits of charitable
participation at the Board level?
Giving back to the community where you
work and live is fulfilling. Knowing that
you are helping others and making a difference is satisfying. I have always had the
mindset that when you help someone less
fortunate, you are better able to appreciate
what you have. The time and effort you
devote toward charity work can also be a
pleasurable way to separate from the daily
stress in your own life. And lastly, I have
found from my involvement with the
Make-A-Wish Foundation, the most rewarding part is hearing from parents and
the children themselves about what a difference the granted wish made and how it
changed the child’s life forever. At the end
of the day, knowing that you actually
helped make a difference in someone’s life
is probably one of the best feelings you can
ask for. I highly recommend that if you are
not already involved with a charity to start
by asking yourself what you’re passionate
about and then find an organization that
shares the same goals and passion.
BEN EISENBERG is the Managing Director of Transwestern.
Reach him at Ben.Eisenberg@transwestern.net or (305) 808-7826.
