Genesys Employee Engagement Extends to Local Communities

Since launching our “Make a Difference” program in 2007, its vision has remained constant: To support employee engagement through volunteerism, by offering employees paid volunteer hours and encouraging individual and company-sponsored donations.

Over the years, more than 3,000 employees have participated in activities that directly make a difference in local communities. Because of this commitment, Genesys Make a Difference has distributed more than $600,000 through corporate donations and employee fundraising.

Global Action

And as Genesys has grown, so has our program. Teams of employees take action globally by offering their time, energy, and goodwill to fill unmet needs. “Global action” is actually many individual acts in many countries. While employees are connected within the Genesys culture, we are also members of broader cultures. These vary widely depending on where we live and work. By giving employees the freedom to tailor their giving to their own community, our global program is more personal and impactful.

As a result, the Make a Difference program boasts some great accomplishments. Here are just a few of the activities that Genesys and its employees were involved in throughout 2016:

• Our Genesys Beijing office supported a local school with supplies, a computer, and a piano
  to enhance the students’ lessons.
• In our annual global food drive we brought in more than 5 tons of food from 21 offices around the world.
• Genesys Canada (Markham) joined nearly 100,000 participants in the CIBC Run for the Cure. Funds raised directly benefit those impacted by breast cancer.
• The Netherlands office yet again raised funds for the LINDA Foundation, which provides needy families with gift cards for grocery stores and other retail shops—making their lives just a little bit easier.
• Our Daly City office supported with donations and volunteers hours. In addition, we created a Santa Hotline for the kids to let us know what they wanted for Christmas.

“Volunteer programs supported by employers is still a very Western concept,” says Merijn te Booij, Chief Marketing Officer for Genesys. “That makes it even more meaningful to see projects in China, India, Singapore, and other countries. Our work is helping to change the mindset about how much difference individuals can make, especially when there is so much need globally.”

Journey of a Lifetime

This year at our Genesys G-Force conference we began a new contest called “Giveback: A Journey of a Lifetime.” We wanted to do something more meaningful for attendees than our usual grand prize giveaway. Working with our partner, Vidyo, we gave G-Force attendees an opportunity to give back and change people’s lives for the better, with our financial support.

First, we solicited proposals. Four finalists were chosen to make video pitches for their projects. G-Force attendees viewed these videos and selected the winner: Ramon Ramirez from Paraguay. His winning video proposal, “Traveling Carpet,” will bring teachers and educational tools to poor, preschool children in the capital city of Asunción.

Look for updates in 2017 as Ramon video-chronicles his journey of a lifetime!

A Time of Transition

With the acquisition of Interactive Intelligence in December 2016, “Make a Difference” will evolve in other ways, as well. Our goals are to support innovative philanthropy with all our employees and partners. You’ll hear more about this as our plans progress.

Employee engagement impacts the culture of our company. When our employees find fulfillment  through their volunteer work, we believe that translates to better service to our customers.

See more of our employee’s global activities in the Make a Difference program on the Genesys Facebook page.