Do you want to talk about it?

Employees do not often realise that the community work they’re doing is worth talking about.

I used to speak to project teams for corporate responsibility (CR) report case studies. There were often an amazing number of schemes running.

But we’d never heard of them, or we wouldn’t have been told, because the teams didn’t think they’re anything unusual. Initiatives are so embedded in the project process, they are something they just ‘do’.

This is, of course, great news and reflects well on the industry – but there are many missed opportunities to talk about the good work employees do.

So, it’s interesting to see Arup giving a platform to one of its graduates, Zak Kostura, on secondment in Nigeria with WaterAid.

Over the last 12 weeks, Zak has been blogging about his time in the region. It provides an accessible platform for the company to talk about its work with the charity and also WaterAid’s objectives.

The blog is also a great tool to show potential graduates the opportunities that Arup provides. So, not only does it show off the company’s CR credentials, but also its employment ones.

Web 2.0 applications provide a whole range of tools for companies to use to talk about their work. It would be great to see more of them move away from the yearly report to blogs or videos from those on the ground.

WLTM attractive volunteering opportunity, GSOH…

Building company Rok is actively encouraging its employees to take a day off work to volunteer.

It launched Rok Volunteer Day a year ago but, following low take-up, the firm is going to work with organisations that can match staff with volunteering opportunities.

It’s good to hear of a company not only giving employees the chance to get involved with their communities, but also really pushing the idea.

Organisations such as TimeBank match individuals with local volunteering opportunities. They also help companies to create and launch volunteer programmes for staff.

It’s been a while…..

….since I last wrote.

The last month has been hectic – I’ve left full-time work in the corporate communications team of Balfour Beatty to become a freelance web copywriter and consultant.

I plan to stay within the construction and engineering sector, writing online material from case studies to news stories, on subjects from people to innovation and CSR.

I am also interested in the accessibility of online content, specifically copy. Everything from the structure of the text to the language used and its presentation.

Take a look at my website to find out more about my services and a bit about me.

Most importantly, get in touch if I can help you!