Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Corporate Social Responsibility: SEASON OF STOCK-TAKING AND HARVEST
SEASON OF STOCK-TAKING AND HARVEST
It is that time of the year when individuals as well as corporate organisations pause to over-view the entire activities during the year and analyse the graphic journey from the beginning of the year to its end. The aim of stock taking is to weigh achievements against set goals. It’s usually a mixed bag both for individuals and corporate bodies. There would be records of losses and gains; positive and negative experiences.
A common practice for individuals and corporate
organisation at this time is exchange of pleasantries and gifts. It’s also harvest time for local communities,
especially subsistent and industrial agri-preneurs. However, the much more
formal record of stock-taking happens at corporate level where it mandatory for
organisations to keep records of their activities and accounting policies. They
also account for the gifts of cash and kind, including donations to and improvement constructions in their
communities, under generic name of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). One
of the public interests of CSR is that it addresses social inequillibrium,
inequality and poverty.
A comment credited to former US President Trump
that seem germane here said: “If getting rich was easy everyone would be”. The nugget
is that few take the hard knocks to become rich, and therefore bear moral as
well as social responsibility to address poverty of the under-privileged.
Trump’s second comment says: “Without passion great success is hard to come
by”. Both the rich and the poor equally love to get rich but their passions are
not equal. A lot of under-privileged people are still struggling but the level
of passion and consistency on the activities that bring wealth differ.
The year 2021 brought economic hardship which led
to impoverishment of many individuals and their families. Of course because of
economic interaction between families and industries many corporate
organisations went out of business setting in recession. This is where CSR
becomes imperative i.e strengthening weak communities and individuals. In this regard Dr Nelson Mandela of blessed
memories once said: “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an
act of justice.” Thus, this period of
harvest and stock-taking with religious flavour provides individuals and
society the verve to sustain corporate and ethical well being.
The Yuletide
is global festivity and I complement the faithful. Religious
celebrations offer opportunity to the faithful to reflect on their lives and
contributions towards the welfare and progress of humanity. Apart from physical and spiritual
rejuvenation that take place during the period, it helps to heal social
break-ups and upheavals, as well as strengthens the moral fabrics of society.
I’m sure there are a lot of people whose
goals/dreams for 2021 were not achieved including me. On a scale of 1 – 10 I doubt if I scored more
than 4. And a lot of people assessing themselves on this scale may be
overwhelmed by unfulfilled dreams.
Whatever the score the truth is that we have to let the year roll by as
we welcome the new year with great expectations. Of course there are some among
us that believe in 11th hour miracles. Would it bring your score to 10? Wow! But realistically, how many people’s names
are on the list of these last minute beneficiaries?
Here’s what my Boss, mentors and experienced
businessmen/women advised me and I believe if you’re heading for success you’d
adjust your program. You know where you are on the scale of 1 – 10 for 2021. Use that as your parameter to correct
your errors, adjust your behaviours, habits.
Drop old mind-set and wear new one.
Set new goals and dream another dreams.
Write them down. List those
obstacles that may challenge your realisation of those dreams. Put down your reactions to tackle them. The ability to adapt to changes brought by the
recession may just be the magic wand.
Best wishes and business success in the New Year
2022.
Ikechukwu Odoemelam
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Corporate Attorney/Consultant IKECHUKWU O. ODOEMELAM & CO
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