Peter Baines
Doing Good by Doing Good
Peter touches on some very interesting and timely concepts in his book Doing Good by Doing Good. I agree with his views that many organisations are attempting to do the right thing and certainly have the right intent when it comes to CSR, but few are executing their strategy to bring about the best return. Peter's advice to the charity sector to step up and change their ways, shifting from the old paradigm of just seeking donations, is encouraging and if heeded will lead to a more engaged sector and deeper relationship between corporate and charity. If you are in business, part of a foundation or leading a charity, you would be served well to read Peter's latest work.
Baines makes a highly practical contribution to how the best businesses create value by having a more positive social impact. And considering his track record of actually doing so, who better to listen to.
Peter Baines has correctly written that innovation and a sense of the entrepreneurial spirit are the key to the future, irrespective of industry or academic discipline. This is advice offered at an important time in our collective search for best practices and the truth.
First published in 2015 by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
42 McDougall St, Milton Qld 4064
Office also in Melbourne
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© Peter Baines Consulting 2015
Illustrations © Guy Downes 2015
The moral rights of the author have been asserted
National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher at the address above.
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Front cover and internal illustrations © Guy Downes
Printed in Singapore by C.O.S. Printers Pte Ltd
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Disclaimer
The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.
Acknowledgements
In writing a book there are those who contribute to the text you hold in your hands right now and there are those who provide you with the love, inspiration, and at times space, to write. The contribution of both makes for what every author hopes is a quality reflection of their thinking.
Let me acknowledge the contribution of both groups.
Guy Downes is a genius. I first met Guy when from the back of the room he captured my one-hour keynote in a graphical representation, the likes of which I had never seen before. When it came time to write the book, Guy was the first person I contacted to be part of the project. His contribution throughout the book brings to it to life and you would have to agree he possesses a unique skill in what he does. I love the way his mind works and the benefit I see his corporate clients take from his work.
The book has a number of case studies and many of the contributors were most generous in their time and in sharing of their wisdom. Without their views and insights this book would be a reflection of my thoughts alone. It is the case studies, both of those contributing to the charity space and those working within, that add so much value. To each of these contributors who were so giving, please accept my deep appreciation.
The team at Wiley. The rise of self-publishing means that it really is within anyone's capacity to write a book. In such a crowded marketplace it then becomes even more important to get it right and surround yourself with a GREAT team. The entire team at Wiley is that, a great team that kept me on-track, on-time and on-message. Thanks to Sarah, Lucy, Jem and Chris for staying with me during this process.
To the clients who I get to build these CSR programs with, thanks for the trust for believing there is another way of engaging with the community sector.
Now to the second group, those who provide the love, support and inspiration.
To each and every one of the Thai staff and the hundreds of Thai kids that I have had the pleasure of working with over the last decade, I continue to learn from you. I have become a nicer and more caring person just from spending time with you and seeing the way you live your lives no matter the challenges.
To the generous supporters of Hands who jump on a bike and ride across Thailand with me, or those who donate their hard earned money to us, you all confirm my belief there is another way of doing charity and people do want to do more than just give.
To my three beautiful children who I adore, you make me so incredibly proud in the decisions you make. Lachie, Kels and Jack, I love you guys not just because you are my kids, but because of the people you are. Some of my greatest moments over the last ten years are the ones we have spent together either in the snow or in the sun. I love you guys to bits.
Finally to Claire Thomas. I love what we create together and the lives we build each day. Your patience, not just during the writing of this book but in putting up with the crazy life I lead, is not found in everyone, but that's okay, I don't need everyone or anyone else for that matter, I have you. The love and support you give me CT makes this wild journey so much fun and I love you so deeply.
Preface
So how does a former police officer come to write a book on corporate social responsibility? I often ask myself the same question, as the path from where I began to where I am now has hardly been a predictable one.
After leaving school I soon found myself in uniform. I worked at Merrylands and Cabramatta police stations in the late eighties and early nineties. It was frustration over attending back-to-back domestic disputes rather than a passion for science that led me to join the Physical Evidence Section (later to become the Forensic Services Group) of the NSW Police. I found my place there and would spend the next 15 years ‘on the tools’, attending major crime scenes and incidents.
For 10 years I lived in rural New South Wales, where my three children, Lachlan, Kelsey and Jack were born. After years of driving up and down the New England and Newell highways investigating scenes of death and destruction, I was promoted to inspector and returned with my family to Sydney. When terrorism arrived on our doorstep with the Bali bombings in 2002, I was deployed as part of the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team. The work of the Australians in Bali cemented our important regional role in disaster response in Asia–Pacific.
Just over two years later, while on a family holiday at the beach on the south coast of New South Wales, I watched the 6 pm news lead with the tsunami that had just struck South-East Asia. Within days I returned to my DVI work, this time on a much larger scale, in Thailand. In what remains to this day the world's largest identification attempt undertaken following a disaster, 5395 bodies were recovered. I spent several months in Thailand, leading both the international