Some information most people don’t know about tech giant Cisco is that they spend $3.5 million per year to contribute to a committed disaster relief team. More so, this is an equally advantageous relationship, because potential buyers are more likely to support a ‘business with purpose’. Though not for selfish gains, improving the lives of others is something Cisco has been dedicated to for well over a decade.
The corporation created a Tactical operations programme in 2003 in aid of the US military, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (which terrorised the east coast of US in 2005) experienced volunteers were also sent in the effort of relief.
It soon became apparent that despite their organisation were making a difference, there was no real arrangement to their operations. Because of this, Tactical Operations was paired with a full-fledged disaster response effort. It currently employs nine full time, devoted staff, comprised of engineers and logistics coordinators who can be sent to any global wide disaster within just three days.
Cisco isn’t the only ones stepping up to become a ‘business with purpose’. Recently Mitsubishi Electric Group companies donated a total of five million yen (approximately £34,226) to aid victims of a severe rainstorm that hit Japan’s Northern Kyushu region on the 5th of July.
In a disaster situation, Cisco specifically set out to give on-the-ground expertise, to be sure that relief volunteers are able to use the communications technology they need to carry out their duty. In turn, containing a number pre-packaged and pre-configured communications equipment- Network Emergency Response Vehicles are provided. This, as well as an ‘Office-in-a-box’ mobile system if vehicles are unable to make it to the required area.
In addition to their dedicated disaster relief team, there are close to 400 skilled employee volunteers or ‘Disaster Incident Response Team’. These are place in multiple places around the world as well as four sites in the US. ‘DIRT’ members can work under the rule of TacOps leaders for up to a fortnight with no effect to pay or given time for holiday lead.
