An international company with Hamilton roots has embraced the spirit of generosity but says it needs other businesses to do the same in order to gain momentum.
TALKINGtech Foundation is the altruistic offshoot of TALKINGtech - a Hamilton born-and-bred automated communications company with strong corporate social responsibility principles.
The foundation aims to provide financial assistance to individuals, non-profit and charitable organisations, both locally and internationally. The establishment of the foundation was a natural extension of the original vision of TALKINGtech founder, Ray Stark. Foundation chief executive, Simon Finlay said Ray built the company around a philosophy of looking after people first.
"He believes if you look after the people, the people will look after the business."
The foundation engages in projects that would normally fly under the radar of larger charitable organisations. Established in 2005, it has been involved in community development, education, emergency and disaster relief, social services and disability assistance.
Its largest project is in India where it built a school especially for Dalit children. Dalits, under the Indian caste system, were considered so inferior that the merest contact with them would pollute those of higher caste. Simon said the majority of India's 150 million Dalits lack proper housing, medical care, education, and employment prospects.
The work the foundation is doing is vast, but Simon says he's at a point where he needs to inspire other businesses to join the foundation's journey in order to make more of a difference.
The establishment of the company's cafe - Milk & Honey - has certainly made a difference. Located on the top floor of the T&G; Building in Garden Place and one floor above TALKINGtech, Milk & Honey opened in February. It serves fair trade organic coffee and operates on a donation system so you pay as little or as much as you like. All profits go to the foundation.
"Milk & Honey has been a lot more successful than we anticipated," said Simon. "People travel across town to come here. It's not just a nice environment with great coffee. It has a story behind it and people like that."
Milk & Honey's success is such that TALKINGtech will likely replicate it at their Auckland, Sydney and London branches. Other initiatives to boost foundation funds are in the pipeline, but in the meantime Simon is keen to talk to Waikato businesses that share the foundation's generous spirit. He's not necessarily looking for businesses to write out cheques. He said the generosity could come in other forms, wherever an organisation had an "excess", whether that is in time or expertise.
Simon said TALKINGtech isn't "a big fan of charity"; it's more about offering a "hand up, not a hand out".
More about the foundation at www.facebook.com/talkingtechfoundation, or email Simon simonf@talkingtech.com.