Finding the Balance

On my very first very first entry on this blog, I have imposed a challenge on myself that I will no longer consider myself first every time I am helping someone. Sad to say, I have failed because I still consider myself whenever I am helping. But I guess the problem is not within my failure but is within the challenge itself.

In CSRGOVE, I have learned that it is not really about social responsibility alone in the corporate world. However, this does not mean that it should all be about profit. Either of the two is wrong. What I have learned is that there should always be a balance between the two. The common mistake among people is that they always consider profit outweighing social responsibility. Most of the time it is hard to find the balance between the two, but it is very important that we do. After all, the main purpose of a business is to make profit. However, we should always keep in mind that we owe to the world to make it a better place.

Because of this, I have realized that sometimes, we look at things the wrong way. Sometimes, we tend to look at just the shallow meanings of things but we never really look at the deeper levels of things. This course taught me that there is more to things than we know it. CSR is not just about being good and business is not just about doing good in terms of figures.

Therefore, the challenge still continues. I still have a long way to go and I hope that the path that I choose to take includes these two things that are very essential. I hope to find the balance between things.

On Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Having been a business student for the past two years, one of the important concepts that I have learned and have stuck on my mind is the SWOT Analysis. I guess one of the easiest ways to analyze something is by running through its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Almost everything, even the simplest things, can be analyzed by the SWOT Analysis. Even us can be scrutinized by this concept! So for this blog entry, I will be posting the SWOT Analysis of my whole experience in CSRGOVE.

STRENGTHS

Honestly, one of the greatest strengths of this course is that the professor encourages engagement, interaction and critical thinking, whether inside or outside the classroom, among the students. For me, it is important that the students feel that there is a need to engage and interact - that they do not simply just have to sit in class and listen. This way, the students are exposed to more ideas - not just theirs and their professor's. Also, the students are challenged on how they will defend their idea, which for me is one of the essential things that you have to know once you enter the corporate world.

WEAKNESSES

On the other hand, I also saw a weakness on this course. Personally, I think it would have been better if we were given more time to interact with the community and the partner organization. This way, we could have examined closely the partner organization and we could have presented a project which is more sustainable and which is more intensive in terms of solving problems that have been existing in the organization. This way, our project wouldn't have been shallow.

OPPORTUNITIES

Despite the weakness, this course still poses opportunities for the students. For me the most important opportunity that it gives its students is the opportunity of standing out as a better player in the corporate world in the future. Because of this course, students are taught on how we can be different and at the same time be better compared to the other players. This course taught us that we should always consider the two sides of the same coin and not just the side which is sparkling and shiny.

THREATS

However the opportunity that this course poses comes along with a threat. That is the threat of the question, 'What's in it for me?' Again, this question always makes people hesitate on doing something good because they always tend to think that they will not get something good out of doing something good.

And there goes my SWOT Analysis of this course! Honestly, I am actually glad that I was able to come up with a SWOT Analysis because it just means that this course has been meaningful for me.

What if; Who knows?

In life, there are times when we are put into a situation where we have no idea what to do that we end up thinking that there is nothing that we can do to make the situation better. For some reason, we tend to think that the situation is helpless just because we couldn't think of a solution immediately. And so we shrug off the problem thinking that whatever is going to happen will happen because it was meant to be that way in the first place. 

But what if it wasn't?

What if the outcome would have changed only if we did something, or only if we tried doing something?

My point here is, more often than not, there is something that we can do. No matter how big or small, there is always something that we can do to change the circumstances even just a little. Sometimes, we just need to look a little closer and think a little harder. And if that still doesn't work, then it's probably time to consider changing some perspective. 

Just like with the social issues surrounding us, we have to keep in mind that there is always something that we can do that will have an impact to the problem. There may be times that the problem is too overwhelming that we start to think of how we're too little to solve such big problem, but we shouldn't let this get in to us. We shouldn't let it stop us from doing what we can do. We shouldn't let it stop us from trying...

Because who knows, what if what you were supposed to do but didn't do today because you were too scared would have changed the course of the world? 

What's in it for me?

With all the distractions surrounding us in this modern life, it would be really hard to stay focused on what you have to accomplish all of the time. There will be times when we lose track of our goals, and there will be times when we just lose ourselves. This would be even more challenging if the end goal is not really directly for us. Just like in social responsibility, some may think that engaging in such activities does not really have an end goal that will fully benefit us - but that is where most people are wrong and where I have been wrong.

During the discussions, I always hear my professor ask 'but what's in it for us?' Truly, this is a question that needs to be asked but is most often answered in the wrong way. Some people may think that solving social issues which they really are not a part of is just a waste of time because it will not really benefit them. But that is where they are wrong. Every action that we do, every problem that we solve whether involving us or not, has a corresponding reaction that will definitely affect us. I am talking about the infamous karma. Whatever we do, will somehow find a way back to us.

That's why we should not be hesitant to do something good even if it will not directly or totally benefit us for this will bring us something good in the future. We may know what it will be and we may never know what it was or whether it has come to us already or it still hasn't. But the thing is, every good thing that you do will have a good effect on you whether you know it or not. That's why, maybe, we should save ourselves from the trouble of asking ourselves 'what's in it for me?' and finding the answer to that question because something is always in it for us we may not just be aware of it.

Hassle for the Muscle, but not so Hassle for the Heart

On our second visit in the partner organization, we brought with us the draft of our final output to be presented. Each group that were present, showed their draft and the partner organization gave their comments and suggestions to further improve the product after. There was only little changes that were required for our group, and this made me happy. Knowing that they were actually happy with our output was enough to offset all the efforts and hard work that we have exerted for the output. As they say, nothing beats a happy customer.

Coming up with the output definitely was not easy for us. It was really a challenge for us to come up with a high-end output considering all the other requirements that we had to attend to  for our CSRGOVE class plus our other classes. I had to admit, it was a hassle. But then, what work is not?

I have realized that if you really are giving your 100% for something, it will surely be a hassle. Hassle is when it takes so much of your time. Hassle is when it takes a lot of your energy. Hassle is when you spend even at least one sleepless night for it. Hassle is when you had to take in too much caffeine for. That is what hassle means. But what they failed mentioning about hassle is that once you see the outcome of that hassle, the feeling will be priceless.

Seeing the representatives from the partner organization smile when we showed to them our output immediately took away the hassle in it. Hassle could be really hassle, but hassle could also be worth it.

Doing What's Best

During the orientation, we were told that most of the needs of the foundation are related to the supplies that they use in forming the development of the children. Our group decided to come up with a story book that the teachers could use in their lessons. The story book will contain biblical stories with morals at the ending.

In relation to my previous entry, the group realized that any story book will do. It will help the teachers in their lesson and at the same time, the children will surely learn something from it. But then again, is it good enough? The answer is no – which is why we decided to come up with a story book containing biblical stories. This way, the children will be developed morally and spiritually. This is what’s best for them and this is what we’re going to do. 

Good is Not Good Enough

After determining the needs of the community, we found it easier to come up with a proposal for our project. Before the visit, we were completely clueless on what to make as a project. I realized that is because we also have no idea what exactly they need. It would be easy to come up with different good projects but the question stays: is that really what they need?

If there’s one thing I learned as a Marketing student, that is, to consider the need of the consumers all the time. In this case, the consumer is the foundation and we are the company. Determine the needs of your consumers and their needs will determine your product. But then again, I realized that it is not enough that you just settle to what your consumers need. It is also essential that you determine what is best for your consumers. Yes, your product may be good for the consumers already, but always think, is there something better for your consumers? If the answer is yes, then you will have to strive for that product. And if the answer is no, then you can be confident that you are providing the best for your consumers.

Bottom line is it is not just important to comply with the needs of your consumers. It is much more important to comply with the needs of your consumers in a way that is best for them. 

Where It Gets Personal

Last February 7, we went to visit our community in order to determine what they need. Our visit at the community was just quick. We were oriented on the history and the nature of the foundation. We were told what their advocacy is and how they are implementing it. After which, we were asked to plan what our project will be for the community. They also suggested projects which they really need and most of the groups followed what they said they needed.

During the orientation, we were told that we won’t be able to interact with the kids that we are going to help. To be completely honest, I was saddened by this. I wanted, even just for a short time, to interact with the kids. Because for me, we will be able to come up with better proposals and will be able to execute it well once we have met the kids. This is because it becomes a little personal. They serve as a motivational factor for us to do better. If we have met the kids, we would know we’re going to help, what their situation is and how badly they need the help.

Nonetheless, I will not let this get in between of us complying with our obligation. It is our duty to help, it doesn’t have to matter whether we meet the kids or not. What matters is that we are able to do something for the better of the children. 

Of having time and making time

In our CSRGOVE class, we were instructed that we are supposed to go as a group for our service learning. One thing I noticed while the group was deciding what day to go was that someone's schedule was always conflicting with every proposed schedule. At first I thought that I wouldn't be able to come to our first visit to the community. Fortunately, everything went out well with my schedule and I was able to go together with my group.

From this experience, I have realized the importance of time. Although cliche, time really is gold. Without time, no plans will be executed. For instance, if we didn't have time to go to the community, it will not be possible for us to come up with a service learning proposal since we do not know what they need in the first place. Thus, we won't be able to help the community. And this brings me to my next point...

Sometimes, it is not about having time but making time. Just like with CSR, in the normal business setting, engaging in social responsibility takes up extra time and effort. Let's face it, doing activities and programs that concerns the social welfare will require an extra effort from the company. If the company's concerns take up a lot of time already, what more if you add up the concerns of let's say one community. Hence, engaging in CSR activities require just the right amount of motivation and determination. Without these two, a company may drown from all of the work and may end up with an excuse of having 'no time'. If you do not do something about it, you will always end up having no time. Because truth is, time is very consumable whether it was or was not spent. It is probably the only thing that whether you do something or not with it, it eventually just slips away.

Bottom line is, time is probably the most essential factors in engaging in activities such as this. It is not considered as a priority but it has to be treated like one in order to be successful with it. 

Common Mistake

In one of our sessions in CSRGOVE, we were given a chance to choose which organization we would like to partner with for our service learning. We were given a chance to choose between PK (Produktong Katutubo) and MMP. For some reason, the nature of PK appeared to be more interesting for almost everyone in the class which is why almost if not all of us chose to partner with that organization. Since we cannot all partner with PK, the class definitely has to be divided. Again, we were given a chance by our professor to volunteer for MMP - yet no one did. It was until the idea of draw lots was suggested that my group of friends in that class decided to volunteer for MMP.

When I was thinking of a topic for my blog entry to kick-off this blog, I looked back to all the sessions that we had. Of all the sessions that we had yet, I realized that the particular session which I just shared encapsulates the behavior of probably most people in our generations towards CSR and the other things that come along with it.

I have realized that there was something wrong with how we behaved during that session - and probably how we behave most of the time when it comes to these things. I asked myself, why did no one among the class of around 40 willingly volunteer for MMP? This got me thinking of what really the end goal of the class is. Perhaps, it was not about helping.

Come to think of it, if the class really just wanted to help, it would not really matter to which organization we partner with. What would matter is what the class would be able to do for that organization. But then again, just like how people always are, we selfishly thought of ourselves first before others. We thought of which was most comfortable and convenient for us. Instead of prioritizing the organization that would benefit, we prioritized ourselves first. I know for a fact that this should not be the case. It should be the other way around. You do not help just for the sake of helping. You help because you feel the need to do so and because you know you want to.

This could be related to how people are towards CSR as a whole. I believe that in order to fully inculcate CSR in our ways, we should have set our mind and heart towards it in the first place. It can't be just something that you are tasked to by others, it should be something that you have tasked yourself.

By the end of this course, I wish to look back to this entry and I wish that I would be able to say to myself that I will no longer commit the same mistake again - of putting myself first before those who I am going to help. I admit that there are errors in our ways, but I also know for a fact that there is still room for us to change this and CSRGOVE might have just opened the door for that room.