THE RIGHT APPROACH
Clear objectives
Corporate social responsibility initiatives of the private sector in Oman need to evolve to a great extent into well thought out processes, where companies choose a clear objective and channel their focus on a particular area of growth, says Rajive Ahuja, head of corporate communications, Khimji Ramdas Group.
"In many instances, CSR is still being looked at as a charitable undertaking. But giving back to society through funding alone is not the right way of approaching CSR. Companies should choose their own area of focus and this idea should flow from the top management. It should be part of an organisation's philosophy," says Ahuja. For instance, Khimji Ramdas Group has chosen to focus on the youth and self development arenas that relate to education, sports or personal skills that can help them evolve into individuals and professionals.
"Over a period our CSR initiatives have evolved. Recently, we selected a group of people who we sent to India for training. We wanted them to be subjected to a different work culture. When they go there, they deal with improving their communication skills, their personal effectiveness, grooming, computer skills and time management. They can witness a certain style of working which is different from here and bring back home some work ethics," explains Ahuja. KR Group is also looking at partnering a mobile library project, into the sultanate to help with its education initiatives.
Another such initiative is organising hazard driving programmes for the youth to learn proper defensive driving and the kinds of hazards they can expect while on the road. This was undertaken after witnessing the increase in the number of accidents these days in Oman. The company is also in talks with Roca to introduce their water foundation programme where young filmmakers can submit documentaries or short-films choosing any aspect of water. "Our focus on the environment will be a little more specific. I felt that the water aspect should be talked about especially for a country in the Middle East where water is a precious resource," says Ahuja.
Being part of such initiatives and evolving CSR to such an extent, however, is no small task. "You need to be of a certain size, so let us be fair to the smaller companies. Also, the crux of a CSR initiative is developing the right partnerships. We have been perceptive and chosen to work on areas where we can join hands with others. We believe in partnerships because pooling resources will help build your database of expertise from within as well as outside the organisation," says Ahuja.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
A firm footprint
Whether it is the focus on its own staff, or being a good corporate citizen to the community in which it operates, Port of Salalah strives to exemplify corporate sector leadership in everything they do.
Port of Salalah has always placed great importance on corporate social responsibility. Whether the focus is placed directly on its own staff and improving their quality of life, trying to help to improve the environment or being a good corporate citizen to the community in which it operates or the nation at large, the port has chosen to be an entity that exemplifies corporate sector leadership in everything they do.
Staff
As part of its staff improvement programme, Port of Salalah chooses to train its staff to follow an ideal of Process Excellence (PEX). PEX follows a routine of effective and efficient work ethic which is defined as delivering what the customer requires or by exceeding customer requirements. It encompasses quality, price, delivery, timeliness and everything that goes in perceived value. PEX is the set of activities specifically designed to create excellent process and includes Lean Six Sigma and change management.
Following on from the PEX training, the port has chosen to send its staff members on a team building course in groups of 20 staff from across the various areas of the port. The Outward Bound programme sees team members being put through their physical and mental paces to ensure that each individual understands the value of team work and utlising each other's skill sets to complete tasks assigned to them.
By combining PEX and Outward Bound, staff of the port will be able carry over process excellence into their own lives and thus help to change the lives of those around them.
Environment:
For the last twelve months the Port of Salalah has placed great importance on reducing its carbon footprint through the initiation of its Qudum (Arabic for moving forward) programme. This programme comprises of 17 initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. These include:
• Idling Diesel Equipment (RTG)
It was noted that equipment operators often did not switch off machinery during official breaks (meals, prayer) and that Rubber Tired Gantry's (RTG's) were kept running. This potential idle time amounted to as much as two hours a day. It was therefore decided to design and install an automatic shutdown on RTG's that were non-operational for over 20 minutes.
The Port's savings and emissions reductions are impressive:
Diesel Savings: 803,256 litres
CO2 emission reduction: 2.16mn kg (1L =2.7kg)
• Quay crane flood lights modification
During normal operations the floodlights of quay cranes at the boom and operator cabin are automatically switched on. However, after the end of operations, and when the quay cranes are in idle mode the floodlights were remaining on until someone switched them off manually. A solution which involved an automatic 'switch-off' was installed which automatically switches off the floodlights on the boom and operator cabin when the quay cranes were in a boom up position.
Annual savings: Ten per cent of the total Quay Cranes energy consumption.
The total annual power consumption for the quay cranes in KW: 17,324,070
Water reduction
Port of Salalah has installed water saving devices at its facilities to proactively contribute in addressing the country's water conservation challenge. The saving in consumption after installing the devices was around 23 per cent or around 450,000 M2 of water per annum.Other Initiatives being implemented include:
Nitrogen inflated tyres: This project aims to fill in all tyres with nitrogen instead of air and this will increase the life of tyres as well as reducing the need to refill with air.Planting trees: This is through planting trees in the port premises to absorb Co2 emissions
Community
The port takes an active role in the community through supporting organisations such as the Environment Society of Oman, Youth Sports, Women's Guild in Oman, Oman Women's Association, Dhofar Sightless Association, Salalah Handicap Centre and the Whale and Dolphin Research. The port also supports positive initiatives such as blood donations, disaster relief and youth development and will continue to be a catalyst for the improvement of life for everyone in the community in which we live and operate.
It is safe to say that Port of Salalah truly understands the need for corporate social responsibility and the welfare of the company's staff; the community and the environment are driving principals in everything that the port does.
HELPING HANDS
A BALANCED APPROACH
As a leading insurance company in Oman and a major employer, National Life and General Insurance Company, a subsidiary of ONIC Holding, recognise their role in society and the importance of conducting the insurance business activities in a responsible manner. The company aims to deliver exceptional financial performance and growth, whilst minimising the negative impacts on the environment and positively contributing to the development of the sultanate.
Since its inception, National Life & General Insurance Co (NLG) has been active in advocating sustainable development, through insuring the good via diversified insurance products through its partners which include various leading banks, brokers, agencies, and government organisations.
Moving forward, the company continues its leadership in life and medical insurance sectors; and welcome any opportunities to enhance its customer base. During 2011 the NLG team continued to focus on its core strengths and demonstrated the market leadership position. Today National Life is a well accepted brand within the insurance domain both in the sultanate and the UAE.
In line with its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, on September 7, 2011, a blood donation camp was organised in partnership with one of the reputed hospital network in Oman. Continuing its legacy of leadership in the insurance industry, NLG has sponsored a lot of programmes for different communities living in Oman like the Athletic Meet at Srilankan School, Middle East Nursery Celebrations, Pongal Festival of the Tamil wing of Salalah and much more. Also in the past it has issued a free education savings policy to an Omani new born baby as a special gesture to commemorate the first delivery at a leading hospital.
National Life has sponsored an Omani cyclist Khalid Mohammed al Shabibi who was on an expedition on reducing accidents across the GCC and Oman. The company has introduced new products like insuring of domestic helpers, which will in turn benefit a large base of nationalities/customers.
Natinal Life has been continuously striving and ensuring to bring wider range of insurance products so that the nationalities are insured to be rest assured in their life.
LIGHTING THE PATH
Insurance for a cause - Tamin al khair
As Mother Teresa rightly said, we can do no great things, only small things with great love. Falcon Insurance Company is on the same path to improve the lives of others. Partnering with the Al Noor Association for the Blind, they are working to enrich the future.
Tamin al Khair, Insurance for a Cause, seeks to help the less fortunate and alleviate the challenges of the blind. Falcon Insurance Company has set up a call centre for private motor insurance. The unique feature of this call centre is that it will be manned entirely by visually handicapped people who are members of the Al Noor Association for the Blind.
As a further step to enhance the company's contribution to the society, Falcon Insurance Company has created an agency agreement with Al Noor Association for the Blind. As per this agreement a percentage of the premium from the business generated through the call centre will be given to Al Noor Association for the Blind.
Both Falcon Insurance Company and the Al Noor Association for the Blind look to the support of the insuring public by giving their patronage to the new call centre. Every time a car is insured with Falcon Insurance, ten per cent of the money is donated to the Al Noor Association for the Blind.
Falcon Insurance Company was established in 2005 with the backing of a number of prominent local and international shareholders and was licensed by the Capital Market Authority to commence underwriting risks on September 14, 2005.
Al Noor Association for the Blind, an NGO for the benefit of all blind people in Oman, was registered by the Ministry of Social Development in 1997 and has been supporting the visually challenged for over a decade.
The first of its kind in the sultanate, this campaign based on corporate social responsibility is a bold step in the right direction and will hopefully encourage others as well. It takes but one small step as members of a responsible and productive society to make a difference in the lives of those less privileged.
The Call Centre contact number is 24162552.
© businesstoday 2011
