Recognizing KC’s Corporate Champions

Next month in Ingram’s January edition, we will launch an annual feature that might make sense to showcase in our December Philanthropy edition—this is our new “Corporate Champions" recognition.

We thought, however, that this might make a good time to spell out what the criteria are for being recognized in this unique program.

Next month in Ingram’s January edition, we will launch an annual feature that might make sense to showcase in our December Philanthropy edition—this is our new “Corporate Champions” recognition. We thought, however, that this might make a good time to spell out what the criteria are for being recognized in this unique program. Any recommendations you might have are welcome. Please email to us at Editorial@IngramsOnLine.com.

• The first condition is that a company consistently make a profit.
• A company that does not make a profit does not build new buildings,
• hire new staff, or donate money to its favorite charities. Profit is the logic that drives business and needs to be respected as such. There is nothing unworthy about an honest profit.
• The second condition is that a company do something useful and for the common good. Admittedly, all companies that make a profit serve a need and are useful to someone. But I feel safe to argue that a company that pioneers new medical technology or that feeds many people around the world serves a higher good than one that provides cigarettes for addicted smokers or provides a few dollars to pan handlers. That’s just my opinion.
• The third condition is that the company’s employees like to work there.
• An Ingram’s Corporate Champion creates a community of workers who respect their work and their employer. Ideally too, they feel secure and appreciated.
• The fourth condition is that the employer keep as many jobs as possible in the greater Kansas City area. We know the economic benefits of outsourcing, and we respect them, but we also know that people on the job and in a given community come to depend on those jobs being there.
• The fifth and perhaps most important condition is that the employer make a conscious effort to fit into the community, that he be a good neighbor and a good corporate citizen. Ideally, that employer surprises the community both with his respect for its existing institutions and with his willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty to help the community out.
• The sixth condition is that the Corporate Champion be a good team player in the advancement of the metropolitan area.

We intend to select and recognize organizations that pound-for-pound give well beyond the norm and contribute selflessly to the needs of our community—companies that place far more regard in “doing the right thing” than in economic or tax incentives.

There are many area corporate citizens who deserve such attention—our objective is to differentiate among area businesses and identify those few each year that merit special recognition for the good they do beyond the products and services they provide.

To be sure, these are subjective criteria. We plan to refine it over time, but in the interim we think that criteria of this nature will prove useful in recognizing our honorees and advancing the well being of their benefactors and the overall vitality of our community. We look foward to unveiling this program in the January edition of Ingram’s.

Regards,

Editor-In-Chief & Publisher jsweeney@ingramsonline.com