Erick has worked in the information technology sector for over 20 years, with a significant focus on transformation technologies; requiring regular travel to customer locations predominantly across Europe. It was through this general travel that an exploration of the possibilities began to emerge on how best we could operate as inter-connected communities, ensuring we are all working towards common objectives.
This led to the founding concept of Initiate App, bridging the gap between non-profits, business organizations and the general public. A need to eliminate actual and perceived barriers that prevent would-be volunteers from helping people in need or getting involved with inspired projects in our communities.
Read on to find out how Nwanshi defines soul, and for his personal experience of a successful business driven by soul:
The soul is the bedrock of what really defines us once we begin to look beyond the physical. It’s at the core of choices and decisions we make in life, how they affect us and those around us.
If we were to apply this in a business perspective, then maximising profits at all costs gets relegated from the top spot. Instead, we begin to look at the reputation of a business from the context of its impact on the environment, society, as well as employees within the business.
The concept of ethical business practice is emerging in a very big way; almost overshadowing what would typically be the driving focus in a profit-oriented business. When companies engage in community concerns through corporate social responsibility programs, we see a different side to what they stand for. The definition of success shifts from being purely based on the bottom line, to other factors.
Customers, communities, and even staff are now paying more attention to what footprint a company leaves as it continues its journey of business as usual. There are many businesses that see not only the need, but also the benefit of embracing community challenges, but haven’t necessarily got the time or resources to look into how best they could help; and so the tendency is to go no further than (sometimes unseen) financial donations towards certain causes.
With the Initiate App, we aim to simplify the process for businesses to get involved in community issues by increasing visibility of community needs, while simultaneously providing a platform for collaboration to flourish between business and non-profit organisations. At the individual level, Initiate simplifies the process for getting involved in volunteering by addressing those perceived and actual barriers people typically encounter; enabling us to act more on that impulse to reach out and help others.
Do you have any examples of businesses with soul?
Over the last 18 years or so, I can cite two corporations, both in the technology sector, whom I have very close relationships with: Quest and Itergy. I’m under no obligation to say this, but the sense of belonging, and the welfare of their employees have both been right up there.
Another example is Metro Bank, which until recently I admittedly didn’t really know much about, (apart from my kids banking with them). I’ve been in negotiations with one of their directors who is actively engaged in community causes, which is where I learnt about their “Day to Amaze” initiative. A scheme in which, staff can volunteer for a local cause for a day instead of going to work – increased to 5 days since the pandemic. How good is that!
Community needs in general are diverse, and so are the ways a business can express its soul. With Initiate, we aim to see more businesses reaching out to their communities like Metro bank. Likewise, when we talk about the notion that we now have a minister for loneliness, it is very disturbing to think we have let things slip to the point there is now growing government involvement to address loneliness in our communities and businesses. This is another area Initiate aims to help through collaboration with befriending schemes and other initiatives that address isolation across the country.
This interview is one of over 55 I’ve completed this year with a mix of past customers and other leading industry figures. Do connect with me on Linked in or get in touch via our website if you’d like to know more about the research findings and/or explore the practices needed to drive your business forward…with soul.
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