Building a united and shared vision beyond the bottom line

FROM June 23 to July 10 this year, the world's attention was riveted on the well-being of 12 boys and their football coach in Tham Luang cave in Thailand. Among the quickest on the ground were, quite expectedly, the official team including the Thai Navy Seals. Almost simultaneously, individual volunteers turned up unbidden, including the vital cave experts who quickly marshalled their worldwide community of cave rescuers and cave divers.

Following close behind were small business owners who came to render help wherever they could. Going beyond the proverbial "thoughts and prayers", the small business owners provided moral support through practical, mundane action. It is only now, after the heart-pounding moments are over that we are hearing of the many small businesses that delivered free hot food and even free laundry service to the rescuers.

These businesses operated at a loss, putting aside all normal revenue-earning matters for a higher calling. Their employees, taking the cue from their bosses, sacrificed time and energy to support the drama that unfolded before the world's eyes.