Bain & Company's Community Impact Day
By Brian Milroy
Management consultancy Bain & Company believes that companies actively involved in charity work inevitably influence and become better known in the wider community. Rather than focus on corporate sponsorships, Bain has implemented a series of hands-on charity programs that actively assist the work of a wide range of community organisations through volunteering and, in turn, promote the development of Bain's own staff.
Dale Cottrell, Managing Partner for Bain Australia, said that the entire staff is encouraged to get out into the community and give time to charities. "It has such a big benefit in the workplace," he said. "Apart from knowing you're doing something for someone else, it helps to build a sense of community and camaraderie among colleagues. It allows staff the time to focus on something, other than company business, which helps them know and appreciate each other."
"Bain's differentiation as strategy consultants is a focus on delivering real results typically for corporate clients. Bain has recognised that its strategic mindset, together with many of its tools and processes, can be readily adopted in community programs to deliver significantly improved community outcomes. People are attracted to Bain because they can really make a difference both in business and in the communities we are involved in."
Launched in Australia in 1999, Bain's Community Impact Day is held each year on the same day as the company's Christmas party. The Sydney and Melbourne offices close for the day, allowing all staff to take part in one of approximately ten volunteer activities. Teams consist of 8–12 people and each team is assigned a task that will positively benefit the community. Tasks can include putting together hamper packages, serving lunch and providing entertainment at an aged care facility, helping out at homeless shelters, working at a children's hospital or taking part in a much-needed local clean-up.
As well, Bain hosts The Australian Charities Fund in its Sydney office. The Australian Charities Fund is a non-profit organisation which has significantly increased the level of giving to charities in Australia through the nationwide implementation of Workplace Giving programs. The Australian Charities Fund was formed when a team of Bain consultants working pro bono for the Garvan Institute of Medical Research learnt that other developed countries donated up to six times more than Australians do and that much of this giving was happening through Workplace Giving.
"The undertaking of The Australian Charities Fund is to make giving to charities easier, more effective and tax efficient," Cottrell said. "It seeks to do this through partnerships with Australia's largest companies and government. Employees are provided with the opportunity to make regular pre-tax donations to selected charities."
The program piloted in 1999 with Bain's Australian practice and is now active in over 60 Australian companies and 24 Australian public sector agencies. Currently over 60% of Bain employees take part in the program and over $600,000 has been raised for 11 charities. Donations from all the companies that participate in programs established by The Australian Charities Fund are worth approximately $10 million annually.
The Bain team has also been involved in a wide range of activities promoting Australia's contribution to the arts through its involvement with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. The orchestra was established 15 years ago and has already established itself as Australia's finest baroque orchestra.
"Bain has been involved in providing strategic planning and support for the orchestra for the past eight years," Cottrell said. "During this time, the orchestra has grown rapidly in scale and recognition. There has been a four-fold increase in the size of audiences, national and international tours, award-winning recordings and dramatic increases in corporate sponsorship."
"Bain teams have been involved all the way giving their time and expertise because, like charity work, the arts are integral to a healthy and sound community," he said.
More information
- Visit the Australian Charities Fund website
- Visit the Bain & Company website
The Centre
for Volunteering [ABN 28 002 416 024]
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
T: 02 9261 3600 | F: 02 9261 4033 | E: info@volunteering.com.au
www.volunteering.com.au