12 Dec Recapping Learn at Launch: Purpose & Profit
How Small Companies Can Lead with CSR
In a world where corporate social responsibility (CSR) is often associated with Fortune 500 giants like Salesforce or Eli Lilly, many small to mid-sized businesses wonder: Can we actually make an impact?
Launch Fishers hosted our December’s Learn at Launch session that answered this question with a resounding “YES!” Featuring the team from Offprem Technology, a Salesforce consulting firm that started right here at Launch Fishers, the discussion explored how a company of 100 people can weave giving into its DNA.
Here are the key takeaways from the event on how to bridge the gap between purpose and profit.
1. The Power of the 1% Pledge
Offprem operates on the Pledge 1% model—a global movement founded by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. This isn’t just a marketing slogan; it’s a structural commitment to give back [09:03]:
- 1% of Product: Offering technical expertise to those in need.
- 1% of Time: Encouraging employees to volunteer during work hours.
- 1% of Equity/Profit: Committing financial resources to community causes.
Denise Kruze, Offprem’s Employee Resource Group lead, emphasized that this model is designed to grow with you. Even if you can’t commit 1% of profits today, starting with 1% of your time builds a culture of service from day one [10:09].
2. Let Employees Lead the Giving
One of the standout programs discussed was Employee Directed Giving. Rather than the CEO choosing a single charity, every Offprem employee is given a $1,000 donation to direct to a 501(c)(3) of their choice upon hire and on every work anniversary [10:36].
By empowering the team to support causes they are personally passionate about—ranging from animal welfare to youth sports—the company fosters a deeper sense of belonging. As Kyle Ford, Employee Experience Manager, noted, “It’s about what you are passionate about, and we don’t steer you” [13:09].
3. VTO: More Than Just “Time Off”
The team highlighted their Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program, which provides 40 hours of paid time per year for service [21:06]. Kyle shared a moving personal story about using his VTO to take his son on a mission trip to Haiti — an experience that was transformative for both of them and only possible because the company prioritized service over “billable hours” [23:20].
4. Signature Community Events
CSR also means showing up physically in your community. Offprem shared several annual traditions that have become pillars of their culture:
- Help Build Hope: The company essentially shuts down for two days to build the walls of a home in the Launch Fishers parking lot [27:37].
- Angel Tree & Blessing Bags: From providing Christmas gifts for 70 “angels” to hand-delivering “Blessing Bags” to the homeless in downtown Indy, these initiatives turn CSR into a team-building powerhouse [25:23], [31:51].
5. The Business Case: Why CSR Matters
Beyond “doing good,” the presenters were transparent about the strategic advantages of CSR [35:10]:
- Lower Attrition: Offprem boasts an attrition rate significantly lower than the tech industry average.
- Attracting Talent: Programs like these are major selling points during the recruiting process.
- Customer Loyalty: Modern clients want to work with companies that have a soul.
Final Thought: Start at the Top
The panel’s biggest piece of advice for other business owners? It has to start at the top. When leadership treats CSR as a non-negotiable—even during lean times—it becomes part of the “special sauce” that defines the company
[45:21].
Watch the full event here: Purpose and Profit: CSR in Small & Mid-size Companies