While spending a week on Necker Island with Sir Richard Branson last summer, I had the opportunity to discuss his B Team concept with him.
The B Team is a group of internationally renowned business and thought leaders like Paul Polman of Unilever, Dr. Mo Ibrahim of Celtel, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria and Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post.
The B Team seeks to accelerate the implementation of Plan B, an equal commitment to the planet and people, as well as profit. When I interviewed Branson, he said, “We can’t leave every problem to government — nonprofits alone cannot solve the tasks at hand. We cannot continue to do ‘business as usual.’”
For businesses, Plan A has traditionally been to come out with the largest profit possible. You know that adage, “He who dies with the most toys wins?’ That is how I have personally seen most people in business approach their corporate and personal success. Now, we are seeing more and more successful businesses not simply paying lip service to giving back in order to make the world a better place, but really doing it!
As I interviewed Branson about the B Team and Plan B, he began to make me wonder what it would look like within my own company if we were to seek to implement Plan B. Then my thoughts led me to consider what it would look like in our communities if not only my company implemented Plan B, but many others did as well.
Here are a few ideas of what business can do to make a difference.
Get to know your nonprofits
These groups are working hard to support countless causes.
A few that come to mind in the education realm include organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs, Junior Achievement and C5LA. They need resources such as computers and tablets, consultants and mentors, as well as host businesses so students can come in and learn about business. Your support can provide the inspiration to press through their challenges in order to graduate from high school or even to dare to dream that they may one day go to a university.
Bring your employees
Show them how they, too, can help out. Hold a staff volunteer day at a school that needs hands-on help. There are many ways your company can work together to address the many needs these schools have.
The BNI Foundation is starting an initiative called Business VOICES to let our staff and business-owner members know what needs are out there. You can start something similar or join us. You’ll find us discussing this initiative at www.Facebook.com/BNIFoundation.
Without our help, inner city high schools will continue to experience the average dropout rate of nearly 40 percent. This is certainly not good for business. We need a strong, well-educated working class in our country. Together, business can change the world in positive ways! ●
