Asking for help isn’t always easy. Neither is responding to need in a meaningful way.
How to offer meaningful support is one of the themes former world discus champion Beatrice Faumuina will talk about at the upcoming Business Women’s Network event on Tuesday 11 August.
“Often everyone is just hands in, asking, ‘What can I do?’ but actually it’s the question people don’t want to hear because they have heard it so many times.
“So it’s about showing up and being respectful. Sometimes it’s about helping out, like doing the dishes or making a simple cup of tea. By nature, I think we all want to pitch in and help, but it’s about thinking how can you minimise an already stressful situation.”
The same can be said for how businesses engage and work with not-for-profit organisations that need support in a way that is meaningful and makes a difference. The August event will focus on how organisations can foster a culture of giving back to have a great impact for their company, staff engagement and community.
As someone who has been heavily involved in the not-for-profit sector, Beatrice believes the most effective way a business can engage with not-for-profits is to answer the call that is never seen or heard.
“Not-for-profits don’t take the time to breathe and think, ‘I wonder who else could help us?’ Often people who get involved want to help and find a way to help, and organisations are always looking for committed people who can utilise their business skill sets and help make a real difference.”
Most recently, the Gold medallist has taken her skill set, expertise and passion for her Pasifika community and joined the Pacific Business Trust, a not-for-profit organisation focused on building business capability in Pacific businesses by connecting owners to local service providers and other organisations that can help them get the support and knowledge they need.
When COVID-19 happened, the need was suddenly increased and the organisation responded accordingly.
“We worked alongside MSD to create a dedicated 0800 number to allow business owners to source what they needed over the phone, and set up a business assessment tool in partnership with Deloitte – I call it a fitness check for their business.”
Speaking of, fitness and keeping active is a still an integral part of Beatrice’s life. While she admits, “not to the level of the life that was, and I have made my peace with that”, she says it’s important to take the time to do a sensory check.
“When COVID-19 happened, we became very active and then found greater awareness of our own mental and physical health, but now we’re back to ‘normal’, we still need to ensure we prioritise that. You need private time and time to breathe.
“For me, keeping active gives me an opportunity to do a sensory check, and when you give yourself a mental break, you get clarity to think about ideas and solutions.”
Beatrice is a guest speaker at the Business Women’s Network Charity Behind the Scenes event for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society on Tuesday, August 11. The event will also be attended by Shelley Campbell, chief executive for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society, as the charity prepares for the 30th anniversary of Daffodil Day.
