The payback
Wilson says fostering a philanthropic culture benefits everyone
involved.
“When you see how your people react and how they respond to
an invitation of involvement for charity, that’s a lot of reward,” he
says. “It’s as much a reward for them as it is for anyone who is
receiving the proceeds or giving the proceeds or matching the proceeds. So I think there is a payback for everyone.”
What’s the payoff for Belron? It’s multitiered, really.
“No. 1 is doing the right thing and being a good corporate citizen,” Wilson says. “I think our people see it, and it adds to their
level of pride … and the commitment they have for their employer.”
Those in the New Orleans area made that plain to see in the days
following Hurricane Katrina.
“A lot of our associates lost everything, but they showed up for
work the next day,” Randolph says. “When people care that much about the company, it’s hard not to care that much about the people.”
And, he says, “It does make Safelite a better place to work. I think
the associates appreciate that.”
Locally, Safelite also gets the residual benefit of the positive PR
that comes with being involved in charity events.
“If it’s a bigger event like the Race for the Cure, where it involves
a group of people, we’ll definitely try to represent the company’s
brand position,” Wilson says.
Safelite employees often wear items with the company logo at
such events.
“But that’s not the primary reason we’re doing it,” Wilson
says. “A lot of that has to do with their own individual pride
and their own association to the company that’s participating
with them financially.”
Then there’s the benefit employees receive from expanding
their horizons through charitable work.
“When I look at the people who are participating in these various charities, I think, without a doubt, their involvement has
broadened their experience, their exposure, their view of the
world,” Wilson says. “None of that is bad.
“Plus, quite frankly, I think we’re doing a lot of good. We feel
like we’re committing our time and our money in the right
kinds of things. I think we’re making a difference. And if you
begin to make a little bit of a difference, in time, you can make
a big difference.”
HOW TO REACH: Belron US Inc., parent company of Safelite AutoGlass, (614) 210-9000 or
www.safelite.com