Citi - Much More than Good Business
CITI EXECUTIVE TEAM AT A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY JOB SITE | In 2009 Citi Foundation gave over $65.8 million in donations supporting their 5 priority areas which include: Microfinance and Microenterprise; Small and Growing Businesses; College and Careers; Financial Capability and Asset Building; and Neighborhood Revitalization.
Citi is committed to raising the quality of life in communities around the world, a commitment that is enthusiastically shared by ZOË Alliance. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ross Metcalfe, Vice President - Partner Marketing of Citi Cards Canada Inc. to hear more about why Citi is so involved in the global community and to learn about some of their initiatives.
Q: Ross, could you describe the CSR and community investment activities that Citi is engaged in?
Citi has a lot of ongoing programs here in Canada and globally. There is a steady dialogue within Citi about the various initiatives we are undertaking globally and the impact that is being achieved. Because we operate in over 100 countries (read more)
Q: How has this activity influenced the culture of Citi?
Citi has experienced significant challenges and transitions because of the global crisis, which as we know has been felt acutely in North America. I would have expected a lot more turnover and impact on employee morale (read more)
Q: It sounds like Citi has a pretty comprehensive approach to CSR with programs ranging from employee involvement/ campaigns, to donations from your foundation focusing on quality of life, to engaging your client base in relief efforts. Why do you think has Citi chosen to be this active?
Since Citi is a leader globally with services and presence in most global markets, we embrace the fact that we have the opportunity to make a difference and even set the standard. There is tremendous power in what can be achieved by over 350,000 diverse (read more)
Q: Why did you choose to work with ZOË to support the growth of employment in Haiti?
During discussions with our management team, the question came up "What more can we do for Haiti?" While brainstorming ideas, we realized that ZOË, who is a recent Small Business Award winner whom we've worked with (read more)
Q: How are you personally impacted by this involvement, what do you find to be most meaningful about it?
There's always pressure for short-term business results and shareholder value. Our economy is built upon this. However, to me, it means nothing if our impact through work isn't broader and lasting. Business becomes truly enjoyable for me when there are genuine mutually positive relationships, valued and satisfied employees, ethical decisions and real social contributions. It means all the more when the team rallies determined to do the right things in tough times.
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SUMMER/FALL PROMOTIONAL SOLUTIONS
Items for Any Budget
If
you have an upcoming event this summer or fall why not take action against
poverty by choosing an item hand crafted by one of our village producer groups?
In
addition to our standard items, we can produce high volumes of custom items to
meet any budget or specification. Some
examples include mouse pads, key chains, place mats, coasters, and bags.
Let
our team develop a solution that will bring extra meaning to the gift you give
to your clients and employees at this years' event. Email us at info@zoealliance.com or or contact our office
at 647-477-4377.
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In the News
Company
of Women magazine recently profiled the inspiration behind the work of ZOË
Alliance.
Read the article (located on pages 13 and 14).
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Recent Blog Posts
Have you been following the ZOE weekly blogs? It's a great way to keep in touch with the current activities of both ZOE Alliance and our founder, Angie.
Here are a couple of her more recent blogs that we think you would enjoy: Patient Optimists or Impatient Patient Optimists, and an update regarding her trip to Guatemalain February.
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Who is ZOË Alliance?
ZOË Alliance Inc. is a social enterprise that harnesses what we spend to help developing nations break the cycle of poverty.
ZOË Alliance helps people and companies transform impoverished
villages with their regular purchases. We stretch each dollar spent on
a personal or corporate gift three ways: to purchase a gift that tells
the story of hope; to create jobs with dignity in villages; and to
donate funds toward a school or village project.
We also help companies link their Corporate Social Responsibility
initiatives to the bottom line by making it easy to source high
quality, profitable products from producer groups in villages around
the globe.
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Contact Us
ZOË Alliance Inc.
15-75 Bayly Street West, Suite 279,Ajax, ON Canada L1S 7K7
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