Charity begins at work as business gets on board

Mike Dickson

Charities have always been wary of getting involved with the corporate world, but the Pilotlight initiative, which brings the two together, is positive, inspiring and brings many benefits to both parties, says Mike Dickson

A Pilotlight survey found less than 5 per cent of the charities surveyed used professional skills. In other words, 95 per cent either couldn’t find them, couldn’t afford them or weren’t using them effectively. One reason was the enormous gap between the different worlds. Business people may want to help, but can’t commit to ‘regular meetings at 4p.m. on a Wednesday’, not least because of overseas travel. Charities may feel they don’t really understand the advice given or find the help useful. Time is given, but in a haphazard way.

Pilotlight steps in with simple things that make a huge difference: a facilitator who fixes meetings and who acts as ‘translator’ to ensure that both sides are comfortable and understand each other’s jargon and perspective. They write up the meeting notes and actions – another bit of paperwork that’s often left undone in under-resourced charities, leaving the Pilotlighter to point his or her brain at the main subject effectively and with frustration removed. Uniquely, each Pilotlighter pays a fee of £1,300 to help cover the costs of this critical administrative back-up.

Mark Pullen is a typical Pilotlighter. He lives a ‘portfolio’ life with various directorships and, thanks to Pilotlight, helps four charities. ‘It has given me a lot of insight into the society in which we live, is positive and not hugely time-consuming.’

Pilotlighters often work as a team. The average project lasts 18 months and involves four Pilotlight executives, plus often as many as 20 other people seconded in to help on an ad hoc, skills-related basis. A recent team included the heads of a consumer goods company and the chief executive of a bank, an HR director and a marketing entrepreneur. The ability to select the right people for the charity is like being able to recruit a dream team; a fantasy business team at no cost.