How often do you give back in your business? Is corporate social responsibility on your radar? We hear about large global corporations doing this every day…
Think Johnson and Johnson; they have focused on reducing their impact on the planet for three decades, with the goal of having 100 per cent of their energy needs from renewable sources by 2025.
Then there’s TOMS; since 2006, the company has provided nearly 100 million pairs of shoes to people in need. For every pair of shoes the company sold, another pair would be gifted to a child in need.
But corporate social responsibility comes in many forms, and even the smallest business can make a difference.
According to Load 28 Managing Director Marcus Rigney, corporate social responsibility should be a focus for all businesses, regardless of their size or stature within the community.
Marcus lives by the motto to “give much more than you expect to receive.” In fact, this is the fifth step in his company’s ‘Do You Need a Lift’ Mental Health program.
The program is targeted to the building and construction industry, aiming to provide mental health strategies for dealing with stress and crisis.
“I firmly believe that if you find a way to meet people’s needs, whether that be in your personal life or in business, the whole game changes,” Marcus says.
“Looking at the bigger picture and giving back is key to helping us focus on what is important and even the smallest gesture can enact positive change.”
Marcus has presented his voluntary ‘Do You Need a Lift’ mental health program to leaders and managers within the construction industry who are faced with the added pressures of managing people, providing them with the tools to navigate both their personal and professional lives.
With giving back a key focus for Marcus, Load 28 established the ‘Barney the Starlight Crane’ initiative, partnering with the Starlight Foundation to raise money for seriously sick children.
Barney the Starlight Crane, a 60 tonne Liebherr crane painted in the Starlight colours, has spent the past 12 months working hard on building sites throughout Adelaide to provide five starlight wishes to brighten the lives of children facing the pain, fear and stress of serious illness.
For the first time, Rigney and Load 28 used The Baden Davis Crane Connection to secure the Liebherr LTM1060-3.1. He explains how this came about.
“I had been speaking to Jeff Wilson from Finlease, regarding the loan approval process, and he knew we needed the crane quickly and suggested I call Anthony Davis at The Baden Davis Crane Connection. I called and Anthony was extremely helpful, he had a list of available equipment and suggested this machine was a unit that met my criteria and would suit my requirements. It was exactly what I was looking for… except it was purple.”
“We had been advised by Liebherr that there would long lead times for a new model, and we needed something urgently to put in the fleet. When we ordered the crane, Anthony locked in the machine immediately and within a week it was on the ship. It was perfect timing,” he says.
In September, Marcus and his team met with Louise Baxter, CEO of the Starlight Foundation and Starlight Foundation State Partnership Manager Andrew Duncan, at the Starlight Express Room in Adelaide to present the charity with a $32,500 cheque. A donation Marcus said would not be possible without the support of his team and the industry.
“We could not have raised these funds without the support of our clients and the construction industry. Everybody dug deep to make these wishes a reality and for that we are truly thankful,” he says.
According to Starlight Foundation State Partnership Manager Andrew Duncan, Adelaide has the highest demand per capita for starlight wishes and with the current economic climate, many of these are going unanswered.
“Given the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, we are not seeing as much support for these sick children and their families, so when Load 28 contacted us to advise they were going to use their new crane to raise money for the Starlight Foundation, we were overwhelmed; it was such a creative and thoughtful way to give back” Andrew says.
“When you grant a Starlight wish, you help sick kids and their families leave the pain of treatment behind and enjoy more of what matters most – fun, joy and shared happiness.”
Marcus also announced that Barney would be continuing his journey to raise money for the Starlight Foundation. Donations are taken via the Load 28 website load28.com.au.
It’s no secret that the more socially responsible the company, the more supportive their community and clients become. Giving back increases engagement by sharing a mission and purpose with your client base. But it’s not about brand management for Marcus, it’s about instilling in his people the importance of focusing on others needs before one’s own.
Marcus is also an active contributor to the construction industry; he recently handed over his role as Chairman of the Crane Industry Council of Australia (SA Division) after four years at the helm and is a judge for the Master Builders SA Building Excellence Awards.
“Giving back to the construction industry is the best way I can think of to show gratitude for the support and encouragement the industry has shown me and my business,” Marcus says.
“When we give back, it grounds us. It’s that simple really,” he says.