 Dr Winnie Tang, Chief Executive Officer, ESRI China (HK) Ltd |
In the current career market with keen talent competition, what can a company offer to attract and retain talent? High salaries and attractive benefits?
Nowadays, lots of job seekers expect much more in their career. Monetary rewards are no longer the only goal they work for. Some job seekers, especially those with some working experience, want to achieve something meaningful in their career. How can employers keep these staff?
One of the ways is to provide opportunities for employees to serve society. Dr Winnie Tang, Chief Executive Officer of ESRI China (Hong Kong) Ltd, says, ¡§There are many enterprises like us, who are engaged in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.¡¨
A Passion to Serve
According to Dr Tang, many corporations in Hong Kong have developed a mission to serve society. These are not NGOs, but they try to incorporate such missions in their business and operation. This is the concept of ¡§social enterprises¡¨. Some social enterprises in Hong Kong hire employees who are underprivileged, while some operate their businesses by incorporating elements of corporate social responsibility to serve those underprivileged.
For example, ESRI, a GIS (geographic information system) software company, tries to narrow the gap of IT knowledge between the privileged and the underprivileged in Hong Kong by providing IT training courses for the latter. Seeing that there is a lack of innovation in IT industry in Hong Kong, the company also hires interns to work for some projects in order to train up young people to be innovative in this industry.
Non-monetary Rewards
 ESRI staff participating in the Cyber Run fundraising event for Rehab Hong Kong |
Dr Tang says that more often than not, many talented professionals work for philanthropic organizations or start business ventures for social causes. They are not seeking monetary reward, but personal fulfillment either by serving society or using their untapped potential to open up a new avenue in their career. ¡§It¡¦s not hard to find examples of non-profit making organizations, innovative startups, restaurants or art galleries run by former business executives who once enjoyed high salaries and good respect in their professional fields. For talents who want to expand their horizons and want to actualize their sense of mission for society, social enterprise will be the next field they want to consider.¡¨
Dr Tang comments that there are different types of social problem in Hong Kong, and enterprises can contribute to different areas. She says that it may not involve too much extra work to include CSR elements in business operation of enterprises. ¡§Yet, the non-monetary reward is high as such efforts can help solve social problems and enhance developments of society.¡¨
For social enterprises to operate, a mission to serve society is essential. In addition, the enterprise needs to communicate the mission to staff in order that the whole company works together towards the same mission. Dr Tang says, ¡§Social enterprises need to be innovative so as to balance maintaining business with serving society. It is not an easy task.¡¨ She points out that entrepreneurs and the management of social enterprises often need to work with people from all walks of life, from underprivileged youth and the disabled, to professionals such as doctors, therapists, lawyers and government officials, etc. ¡§Running a social enterprise with a good balance on social objective and operating profits posts a great challenge, dealing with the diverse stakeholders and to balance the interests of all is another great challenge. Social entrepreneurs need to be able to respect the diverse views of different levels of professionals, while being sensitive to the needs of the groups they serve and work with in order to make their business an effective enterprise for the social good.¡¨
 Dr Winnie Tang and staff at the table tennis competition organized by Cyberport Tenants Club |
A Common Vision
When hiring staff, social enterprises need to find candidates who are willing and have a passion to serve society. Dr Tang says, ¡§As long as they share the same mission of the enterprise, these staff are expected to stay long in the job because they will be rewarded with a sense of satisfaction that money cannot offer.¡¨ Indeed, engaging in CSR can become a company¡¦s branding to attract and retain talent.
Dr Tang comments that nothing is more enjoyable than working with a team sharing a common vision. Social enterprises often start with a core group of people sharing a common goal and a passion to serve the society. The shared goal and passion work as the driving force for all working under the same enterprise, making the workplace infused with a warm and invigorating atmosphere.
