No let-up in doing good

THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: Will corporate social responsibility (CSR) take a back seat during a downturn? How might your organisation's corporate giving be affected this year?

Jean Drouffe Chief Executive Officer AXA Insurance Pte Ltd (Singapore)

The current global crisis has led to unprecedented community support by the corporate world with many companies stepping up their CSR efforts. The AXA Group has so far committed more than S$300 million in various actions, notably helping our customers in these difficult times, and by supporting medical research.

This is accelerating a global trend observed in recent years where the corporate world has been realising that there is no sustainable success without a strong societal focus. Hence I believe that we are in for a new deal, with businesses seeing CSR as a ''must-have'', rather than a ''good-to-have''.

Naina Subberwal Batra Chairperson & CEO AVPN

While the world reels from implications of pandemic proportions, we have witnessed humanity coming together to support those most vulnerable, and this is no different in the private sector. It is no longer appropriate to see CSR as a side project that corporations do to feel good; CSR must be an integral part of the company's business model to thrive in these uncertain times. To support government efforts and the healthcare sector in Asia, our members, many of whom are from the private sector, have committed over S$9 billion to fight Covid-19. It is a testament to the collaborative power of the members of our network that resources were pooled together so quickly and decisively. The crisis needs no greater proof that we need to collectively build a more resilient global community.

Melissa Kwee Chief Executive Officer National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)

It's been said, ''Never waste a good crisis''. Crisis brings out the best and worst behaviour in us all and it is when we know our true friends. Many Companies of Good, big and small, have stepped up their CSR efforts tremendously despite Covid-19 because they have managed finances prudently and are deeply connected to community partners, and so can arise when their wider community is in need.

For these Companies of Good, the wellbeing of their stakeholders and social good prevails over shareholder value alone. The key for successful CSR programmes in crisis is collaboration. During challenging times, companies can work together and punch above their weight by pooling resources for one-off initiatives to meet immediate needs and build goodwill for future collaboration. One example is the Eat for Good initiative by NVPC's Company of Good, that brings together organisations to support local food and beverage (F&B) businesses to offer pay-it-forward meals to vulnerable groups in the community.

We hope more companies will likewise leverage their core competencies and work with complementary partners to do good strategically, sustainably and impactfully. Companies that lead with purpose and other-centredness will also reap stronger brand equity, trust with customers, partners and stakeholders, and build resilience to withstand future crises.

Patrick Lee Chief Executive Officer Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Limited

Covid-19 has made an indelible impact on our businesses and communities. This is precisely a time when we should do more, as the needs of the community have become more varied and extreme. Globally, Standard Chartered Bank has committed US$50 million to support our communities. In Singapore, we have contributed S$1million to support students and fellow Singaporeans impacted by Covid-19.

With the Infocomm Media Development Authority, we provide needy students with computers and broadband access for their home-based learning. We are an early supporter of The Invictus Fund, which ensures that critical social services are delivered to vulnerable individuals and families. Our colleagues are also volunteering in company-organised activities that aims to support our Singapore community in this time of Covid-19.

Russell Higginbotham Chief Executive Officer Swiss Re Asia Ltd

Simply put, it shouldn't. In fact, Swiss Re announced on April 14 that we would double our giving from CHF5 million (S$7.36 million) to CHF10 million (S$14.74 million) - meant for societies at risk from Covid-19, particularly in developing countries. In the countries where employees cannot gather en masse, our not-for-profit grant foundation, the Swiss Re Foundation (SRF), is looking into how we can help virtually, beyond just monetary donations. In the meantime, we are encouraging employees to donate to Medecins Sans Frontieres via SRF, and it will then be matched by the group 1:1. Good corporate citizenry doesn't mean that we shy away when times are bad, but that we be there for the ones who can't fight for themselves, and be there for less resilient societies who may not get past this pandemic without some form of help.

Cheung Pui Yuen Chief Executive Officer Deloitte Singapore

Apart from Covid-related causes which are trending, there are many other charitable causes calling for help now such as youth development, elderly care, the environment and community projects that also require support in this challenging time. Community responsibility is embedded in our purpose and is also a business imperative for Deloitte. This is manifested through our WorldClass initiative where we apply our core skills, experience and global reach to empower more people through education, skills development, and access to opportunity. We continue to support our community partners at this time, and have actively engaged with new partners such as Engineering Good to power our WorldClass efforts to support disadvantaged communities in Singapore with access to virtual technologies and learning and online mentoring.

Ronak Shah Chief Executive Officer QBE Singapore

As we confront an unprecedented public health crisis, firms may be tempted to deprioritise CSR initiatives in favour of optimising their businesses. However, we must not forget the value of giving back. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of showing compassion to others, and demonstrated humanity's capacity to working together towards common goals. Affected communities need our help more than ever during this crucial time, and corporations have an inherent duty to support however we can. At QBE, we have a longstanding tradition of supporting organisations that conduct social work. QBE Foundation, our own community engagement arm, remains committed to our existing CSR plans, and has chosen to direct our 2020 funding for CSR to our partner beneficiaries, helping them in their fight against Covid-19.

Max Loh Managing Partner, Singapore and Brunei Ernst & Young LLP

CSR is one of the ways organisations bring their purpose to life, and in that light, it should be sustained through good and bad times. Having said that, the scale and scope of CSR efforts will need adjustments according to one's ability to contribute, in order for such efforts to continue sustainably. CSR also does not equate to corporate giving in monetary terms alone - there are many ways for corporates to contribute, including through pro bono work or skills-based volunteering, such as our EY Ripples programme, which we continue to run. Ultimately, it is really the heart, intent and spirit that truly matters when it comes to giving - and every drop will make for a larger ocean.

Yeoh Oon Jin Executive Chairman PwC Singapore

The current safe distancing measures have accelerated the need to build digital capabilities among those who serve our communities. Preparing individuals and non-profits for the digital world has been a focal point of PwC's corporate responsibility strategy even before this Covid-19 outbreak, and we are now adapting our approach to support non-profits in Singapore through digital and virtual means. For example, the recent CNPL Board Chair Forum on digital disruption was hosted by us through a virtual forum, and we are virtually conducting digital upskilling workshops for non-profits and charitable organisations on topics such as social media optimisation, digital strategy, digital trust and cybersecurity.

Reshmi Khurana MD and Head, SE Asia, Business Intelligence & Investigations Kroll

Our firm's corporate giving is organised through the Duff & Phelps Charitable Foundation that did tremendous work in 2019 and will keep pushing forward in 2020. Last year, over 900 colleagues gave 2,100 hours of volunteering time to their local communities. The Foundation donated nearly US$500,000 to causes ranging from diversity and inclusion, environmental conservation, education and employment, healthcare support and women's empowerment. These areas need our support even more in 2020 as we face three crises - health, economic and humanitarian - all at once. We expect to build on, not step back, our corporate giving in 2020.

Thomas Holenia President Henkel Singapore

CSR encompasses both financial and non-financial giving, such as product donations and volunteerism. During this Covid-19 crisis, we see companies of all sizes contributing actively in whichever ways they can. At Henkel, corporate citizenship has always been an integral part of our sense of responsibility as a company and firmly embedded in our corporate values. Therefore, we want to help address the unprecedented challenges due to Covid-19 and have launched a comprehensive global solidarity programme to support our employees, customers and communities. This includes financial donations, product donations, the production of hand disinfectants as well as increased safety measures for our employees. For example, we will donate 2 million euros (S$3.09 million) to the World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations (UN) Foundation Covid-19 fund and selected organisations. We will also donate 5 million units of personal and household hygiene products globally. This includes protective equipment and disinfectants as well. Similarly, Henkel Singapore remains active in contributing to initiatives promoting education and sustainability through employee volunteerism and sponsorships.

Mario Singh Chief Executive Officer Fullerton Markets

With the Covid-19 pandemic affecting businesses worldwide and roiling financial markets, it would be no surprise if CSR takes a dip during this downturn as businesses fight to survive.

That said, it is equally important for business owners and collective stakeholders to understand that for a company's long-term sustainability, proactive engagement with the community cannot be ignored.

Over at our firm, it is our priority first and foremost to ensure that no staff gets laid off just because of Covid-19. We also have a CSR arm called Fullerton Foundation where we support meaningful initiatives with our beneficiaries that include marginalised children and the elderly. So far this year, the Foundation has donated food and essential supplies to homes in Malaysia and Philippines, and will be doing more in other ASEAN countries this year. We don't see our CSR efforts diminishing because of Covid-19. We must all come together during this difficult time. No help is too small for those who need it the most.

Ari Sarker Co-President, Asia Pacific Mastercard

At Mastercard, our focus has always been on helping to build a more connected and secure world.

In times like these, all efforts matter and we continue to look for ways to help - big and small. We remain relentless in helping to keep commerce flowing for consumers and businesses. Already, we have committed millions towards funding the development and scaling of treatments to combat Covid-19 and are actively enabling SMEs to go digital with scale and speed through dedicated programmes and platforms.

We must battle this crisis as a community - and it is our collective decency, courtesy and respect that must define who we are and guide us to recovery and growth.

Victor Mills Chief Executive Singapore International Chamber of Commerce

The question we must all think about, and collaborate to find answers to, is this: How does the world manage the pandemic without devastating the economy until such time as vaccines are available? If we fail to answer this question we will condemn ourselves to a prolonged, economic depression unlike anything since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Right now, every business is thinking about adaptation, survival and costs. CSR in cash will inevitably take a back seat for all but the wealthiest individuals and the most robust businesses. Luckily, there are other ways to give back by volunteering our time and skills.

Seah Kian Peng Group Chief Executive Officer FairPrice Group

Doing good and giving back to the community are deeply embedded in the corporate DNA of FairPrice Group. In times of crisis, we remain steadfast to this philosophy and strengthen our resolve to create a greater social impact.

On the philanthropic front, FairPrice Foundation's community programmes also remain robust. In fact, we are prepared during this current crisis to step up our community outreach efforts and to further increase our corporate giving. This will enable us to reach out more widely, especially to those affected by the pandemic, and offer assistance to help them tide over this period. Over the past decade, we have disbursed over S$100 million to the community through the Foundation.

Guided by our DNA, we stand committed and stay flexible and agile to address the evolving situation. Together with the community, we will overcome this current crisis.

John Ng Chief Executive Officer YTL PowerSeraya

In these unprecedented times, CSR continues to play an important role, where companies have a responsibility more than ever to step up their corporate citizenship efforts. This starts by looking inward and putting our people first. As an essential service provider for the nation, it is important to consider how we as a company can prepare our people, who are our first level of community, to cope with and manage the challenges presented by this pandemic. A stable and healthy workforce is the first step in building a resilient community. Good social responsibility within, when done right, provides more opportunities and capacity to do good for the community.

Having direct relationships with charitable partners and communities also helps facilitate the work needed to meet essential needs. For example, our retail brand Geneco's existing partnership with Foodbank Singapore, recently allowed us to do our part and help spread the word to our social media community on their lack of food donations for its beneficiaries. Building upon the principles and values behind CSR to help those in need right now can ultimately bond the community as one to get through these challenging times together.

Loh Boon Chye Chief Executive Officer Singapore Exchange (SGX)

CSR is more than just philanthropy - it is also about building meaningful relationships with stakeholders for the long haul. Our SGX Bull Charge initiative will continue to rally Singapore's financial community to do more for underprivileged children and families, persons with disabilities, as well as the elderly. While an economic downturn would pose some challenges, we have built a strong network of corporate sponsors and partners over the years whom our beneficiaries have come to rely on. This period is also an opportunity to be creative in harnessing technology for example, to better support and engage our beneficiaries. Looking at how our community has stepped forward to help each other during this pandemic, I am optimistic that such crises can bring out the best in people.

Lim Hwee Hua Chairman ISCA Cares Limited

We expect businesses to be more focused on surviving the economic fallout arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, so CSR may inadvertently take a back seat. However, it is during such a time of crisis like now that the low-income is one of the hardest-hit groups. This makes it more vital than ever for corporates to step in, if not step up their CSR efforts. ISCA Cares will press ahead with our CSR efforts, together with the accountancy community. We will be awarding bursaries earlier than previous years to render timely help to students from low income families. Our youths represent the future and with the intensifying uncertain market outlook, we remain committed to invest in them and ensure that no one is left behind.

Sebastian Mueller COO & Co-Founder MING Labs

What we have seen globally over the last weeks is that people are watching closely how companies act in this challenging period. Executives only acting in the name of the profit motive are being called out. Some consumers have called for boycotts on well-known MNCs.

While we might not give it the CSR label, social responsibility and stakeholders' thinking are here to stay. It will be demanded of every company to act following the interests of the larger society. No matter the label - efforts need to increase, not be reduced. That is the new normal.

Ivy Lai Country Manager Philips Singapore

We believe CSR becomes even more important in crises. During these challenging times, companies that are able to should refocus their resources to help communities and people that are affected. Ideally, these CSR initiatives should align with the company's strengths and expertise. The Philips Foundation is helping to combat the Covid-19 outbreak. The Foundation has donated a range of diagnostic imaging, patient monitoring and respiratory therapy equipment and supplies to a hospital in Wuhan, China. It is currently working in Kenya, South Sudan and Italy to support their national healthcare systems, all of which have been deeply impacted.

Chia Ngiang Hong President Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (REDAS)

Not necessarily so. It is often in times of crisis that people realise that we are all connected and draw closer together to look out for the needs of one another and our community. It is precisely during times of exceptional hardship that companies which continue to practise good CSR will reveal their altruistic core values. This will help them genuinely connect with their customers and affected communities, gaining their trust and bolstering corporate reputation, even unlocking new business opportunities and helping such companies shine over their competitors.

Amidst these difficult times, the monetary quantum of CSR may be reduced but companies can and perhaps should find smart ways to continue contributing. Organisations could capitalise on core competencies and identify areas that they are uniquely equipped to solve and assist, instead of overreaching. It is my firm belief that through careful planning and thoughtful communication, CSR can still feature prominently amidst this downturn.

Walter de Oude Chief Executive Officer Singapore Life Pte Ltd

The Covid-19 crisis has had one societal benefit - an appreciation that life is about so much more than just work and building future value. There is a refocus on the now - and on family and health and life and community. With this refocus, I see CSR initiatives being even more engrained in business culture than ever before.

John Bittleston Founder and Chair Terrific Mentors International Pte Ltd

CSR will NOT take a back seat during this downturn. On the contrary, the inequalities that have been so vividly highlighted will, if anything, make businesses more aware of the urgent need to fulfil their social obligations and of the importance of reasonable fairness in dealing with those who have limited weapons to fight for themselves. A pandemic is a leveller in much the same way that a war is. We are a service industry. What we sell is our time, knowledge, skill and experience. We are committed to giving time to those who cannot pay for it to the fullest extent possible during the emergency.

Magesvaran Suranjan President, APAC, Middle East and Africa P&G

At P&G, citizenship is not something we do on the side - it's how we do business every day. We are a force for good for our employees, consumers and communities at all times. And when times are tough, we hold ourselves to an even higher standard to help others in every way we can.

P&G supports our communities holistically - not just with donations, but also with our time, talent, and capability. In response to the pandemic, we donated our products, medical equipment, personal protective equipment, and monetary support. We packed and distributed care packs to frontliners. We used our capabilities to make hand sanitisers and facial masks.

We are deeply committed to improving everyday life, now more than ever. P&G has been - and will continue to be - at the forefront as a force for good, supporting our communities holistically in every way we can.

Callum Laing Chief Executive Officer Unity Group

Sadly, CSR is often one of the first things to disappear when times are tough, but members of your team and your clients are watching your actions during these times. I think companies that fail to act with compassion will struggle to regain trust and those that continue to show leadership in areas such as CSR will be in demand. ESG (Environmental, Social Governance) funds aren't going to go away. It's time to step up.

Lawrence Chan Managing Director MyRepublic Singapore

It's during times like these that corporations had better understand their role in a community, and the impact they can make. While prudent executives should and will review discretionary spending in an economic downturn to ensure business sustainability, services and customers have a symbiotic and integrated relationship. Supporting the community is as much a business decision as it is a social one.

We take an integrated and adaptive approach to CSR that goes beyond philanthropy, looking at ways we can contribute to the community by leveraging our strengths and expertise.

For example, we've introduced flexible business continuity packages, refreshed mobile offerings, and worked together with IMDA to provide subsidised fibre broadband connectivity to eligible families, to ensure people and businesses are empowered with the digital connectivity they need during and beyond this period. We continue to identify unmet and under-publicised needs in the community, to look at ways in which we can make a difference.

All this is possible with the support of a team that strongly aligns with our corporate belief in doing good, and an agile business model that grants flexibility in rendering support.

Dennis Tan Chief Executive Officer Prudential Singapore

With Covid-19 impacting the vulnerable groups the hardest, we have to think of innovative ways to continue making a meaningful difference while prioritising the safety of everyone. We continue to understand the needs on the ground and have started to deliver solutions remotely such as contributing IT devices for children from low-income families to enable them to access home-based learning, as well as exploring volunteer-led virtual classes for our beneficiaries to keep them engaged.

Our commitment to invest in the community is for the long term, in good times and bad. During this challenging period, it's even more essential for companies to come together and collaborate in helping the community. With more resources, we can do more for everyone. This is the time for us to be #SGUnited.

Jayaprakash Jagateesan Chief Executive Officer RHT Fintech Holdings

CSR will certainly take a back seat at organisations facing severe financial difficulty as their first responsibility will be to focus on saving jobs and the livelihoods of their employees. Organisations with the means can make significant impact by doing good during a downturn. Additional help from the private sector is needed now more than ever to complement the government's efforts.

Our RHT Rajan Menon Foundation has shifted its focus towards assisting those affected by Covid-19. We recently collaborated with a union organisation to secure facemasks for frontliners. Fundraising will be a challenge under current circumstances. Plans for our annual charity golf event in support of Singapore's frontline heroes have been affected and we continue to explore alternative fundraising avenues.

Ana Dhoraisingam CEO, Singapore and Head of Institutional and Wealth Management Sales, Southeast Asia PineBridge Investments

It has never been more important than now, when we are facing probably the greatest challenge since World War II, to give back to the communities in which we live and work.

As a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), PineBridge Investments is dedicated to supporting ESG and community initiatives. In mid-March, we consulted on the structuring of two landmark ''Fight Covid-19 Social Bond'' deals, followed by capital allocations on behalf of the firm. The proceeds from the US$1 billion bond offering by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the US$3 billion by the African Development Bank will support health diagnostics programmes and development of vaccines.

In reaching out to our neighbouring communities, our offices across the globe are stepping up to collaborate with their local charities to help the needy by donations, volunteer work, and corporate level partnerships. We are proud to have been able to build on our long-recognised role in responsible investor consortiums and actively participate in these activities during the current crisis.

Nicholas Lee Chief Executive Officer EZ-Link

CSR is needed more than ever in times of economic downturns when many are facing difficulties. While not all companies may be in a position to help, those less affected have a role as corporate citizens to step up and contribute according to their capabilities.

With stricter government measures put in place to stem the contagion, corporates have to adapt to new ways of working while ensuring business continuity, and this includes our CSR efforts. We continue to work hard at our donation efforts for the Singapore Red Cross and Garden City Fund, while being innovative in how we can contribute meaningfully to society.

In February, we rallied our customers on the EZ-Link Rewards platform to join us in donating doughnuts to healthcare workers as a means of encouragement. We were heartened to see over 20,000 customers participate. By encouraging donations via the EZ-Link Rewards Programme, we hope to give our customers an alternative platform to do good, especially during this time of need.

Maren Schweizer Director Schweizer World Pte Ltd

The wheat will be separated from the chaff concerning CSR during Covid-19. I expect that we will witness cases where CSR was not more than mere lip service, unfortunately.

For 170 years of SCHWEIZER, we understand CSR as our DNA. In action, CSR is a long-term performance strategy and the power of engagement. At our core is the drive to engage all of our people, partners, clients, beneficiaries, and even future employees to deliver positive change.

In general, we focus on predetermined issue areas around five pillars: community, workplace, environment, marketplace, governance and communication. At this moment, we have moved focus, resources, and budget to Covid-19-related topics.

Our CSR team is positioned to think about how to bring goodness to difficult moments. Whatever we do down the crisis road, disclosing an accurate account of our activities, both the positive and negative aspects, is essential. It's about trust.

Pierre Samson Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

The global pandemic and its impact on the economy and society have actually brought out the best in our people here at Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise (ALE). Our CSR initiatives, formalised in the ALE Impact programme, are employee-led and fully supported by matching contributions from the company. Despite the downturn, our employees across the globe have generously donated their cash awards and team bonuses, which the company has duly matched to double the funding. Our programme may be small, but it has grown stronger during this downturn.

Jeffery Tan Chief Executive Officer Jardines MINDSET Charity

The Covid-19 downturn has brought into clear focus the truism that mankind is only as good as its weakest link.

Corporations can learn valuable lessons from the ubiquitous examples of individuals and groups who demonstrate social responsibility through acts of giving to improve the lives of others in this pandemic.

This is a unique opportunity for corporations to make a significant impact on communities through their giving. The enlightened ones will quickly recognise that now is the time for their corporate giving to speed up, not slow down.

Imad Abou Haidar Head of Asia Avaloq

The opposite should happen, as a solid CSR strategy will help companies create long-term shared values. Over time, CSR has evolved from a ''nice-to-have'' to a ''need-to-have'' for many businesses, and the pandemic has simply expedited this. We must ask whether globalisation has gone too far, whether supply chains have become too complex and whether there needs to be some reconsideration of the direction we are collectively moving towards. CSR will become more important because of what is happening this year, as only those companies that take a truly holistic approach to doing business will be successful.

Our corporate giving approach will not change - we're keeping the focus on employee initiatives devoted to teaching their skills and knowledge to underprivileged people. What will change is the context - shifting from internationally to locally, and aligned with health and safety measures. In this unprecedented time, we have a duty to be a moral compass for our stakeholders, and corporate giving is a powerful way to achieve this.

Moray Armstrong Managing Director CBRE Singapore

This global pandemic has only reinforced the fact that we are stronger when we look out for each other. In times of crisis, supporting our wider community is more essential than ever. CBRE has just launched a global campaign with a goal to raise US$15 million worldwide (company donation plus company match of employee contributions) for individuals and families affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Closer to home here in Singapore, CBRE is fully committed to this initiative and we are directing funds we raise from our employees to local charities that are supporting healthcare workers and vulnerable communities. It is only by staying united and maintaining a strong sense of social responsibility that we can overcome this challenging period.

Rakesh Krishnamuti Head, Enterprise Sales, SEAsia PayPal

While our community battles the impact of the pandemic, PayPal's companywide commitment to giving back and making a difference is more critical than ever. Our lineup of CSR initiatives remains strong, because we believe that it is more crucial now than ever to support one another and make a difference. Employees are empowered with opportunities and platforms to pay homage to unsung heroes, like frontline workers, as we take our volunteering and donation activities online. Small businesses are also the lifeblood of communities, and we have taken steps to help more than 24 million merchants around the world navigate these challenging times.

Christina Teo Executive Director SAPI

SAPI represents major international pharmaceutical companies with decades of operations in Singapore and the industry has strongly supported CSR events organised by partners such as Relay for Life and Race Against Cancer. SAPI looks forward to resuming our support for such events soon. SAPI member companies have stepped in to fill the gap in times of need and we continue to help where possible. During this unprecedented period in history, CSR has never been more important than now - our member companies recognise the increased need and to that end, we have raised close to S$100,000 among members. These funds will go towards acquiring 100,000 surgical masks for donation and other contributions to healthcare institutions and NGOs focused on helping those most affected by this outbreak. We also remain committed to patients during this crisis and will continue to ensure sufficient supply of and access to innovative medicines.

Dileep Nair Independent Director Thakral Corporation Limited

To weather this recession, many companies will cut discretionary spending. Budgets for CSR activities will accordingly suffer. Enlightened companies, though, appreciate the strategic value of corporate giving in promoting their brand and reputation. So even if budgets have to be trimmed, such firms will strive to keep reductions to a minimum and supplement them perhaps with donations of stock-in-trade or even by promoting company volunteerism, which is a powerful way of demonstrating community involvement. Of course, it's for boards to decide on the extent to help charities and non-profits that are amongst the company's stakeholders. Companies that persevere in their CSR efforts will certainly be admired and have a competitive edge once the recovery takes place.

Ben Elliott Chief Executive Officer Experian Asia Pacific

We are committed to making an impact in communities and ensuring financial inclusion, even as our methods vary. With most of our employees working from home, we've had to adapt our CSR strategies differently. As many companies and schools move to a home-based environment, we worked swiftly to donate 50 laptops to lower-income families. Throughout May, our staff are lending a helping hand, albeit remotely, to map 100,000 vulnerable people to accelerate crisis response. Experian X Labs, our innovation facility, is working hard to help businesses and consumers navigate the economic downturn. Experian will continue to support communities in need.

Jean Thomas Chief Marketing Officer Pomelo Fashion

CSR should be treated as a business discipline that's central to an organisation's overall strategy. Effective programmes that serve the community in a compelling way, strategically tackle important societal issues and also demonstrate a strong potential to influence the business, must be retained and even grown, during a recession.

Recently, we joined the fashion industry's fight against the novel coronavirus by having our design and production teams create antibacterial masks using fabrics meant for apparel. We also donated 40,000 surgical masks to the frontline medical sector and also started a social campaign to unite our community, spread positivity and encourage social responsibility through uplifting content.

Stephen Keys President, AP, MIddle East & Africa IFS

CSR is not a disposable attribute. It is a self-regulating business model that helps businesses be socially accountable, by recognising the many stakeholders in a business, including the communities in which we operate. In times of crisis, communities deserve support more than ever.

It is natural to help others in difficult times (witness how so many Singaporeans have willingly donated their Solidarity payout). At IFS, we encourage staff to use their annual volunteer day to support government authorised volunteering, or continue fundraising for the IFS Foundation. We remain firmly committed to our CSR programmes. We #standtogether, always.

Alexander Berkovskiy Regional Director, Asia Pacific Syngenta

For Syngenta, working with farmers is at the heart of everything we do, to ensure that they have access to inputs and farming advice, so they can provide food for our tables. As part of our community programme, we also help rural communities to improve sanitation, education and infrastructure. In these times of Covid-19, our teams have in fact stepped up our CSR work like supporting poor families with essential grocery items in India, and conducting hygiene and sanitation campaigns for farmers in Indonesia. We see the development of rural communities as an essential part of our long-term success.

J D Kasamoto GM, Service & Environment Division Ricoh Asia Pacific

Compared to a decade ago, brands today are evaluated not just on financial performance but also on how they address social issues.

Where possible, CSR efforts should not take a backseat despite economic downturns. In fact, continuing CSR efforts during such times will have long-term payoffs, attesting to a brand's commitment to its values while strengthening public engagement.

In support of this belief, Ricoh will commit to longstanding CSR initiatives such as our annual Eco Action Day to heighten environmental consciousness in society. While we've tweaked the approach slightly, our contribution, spirit, and goals of the campaign remains unchanged.

Tan Mui Huat President and CEO, Asia International SOS

Corporate giving remains a key pillar of our business, and is even more critical in the face of the current pandemic. Our philosophy for corporate citizenship champions healthcare and education, and as part of these efforts we continue to help communities develop greater awareness of this pandemic. We have made some of our educational materials such as insights, advisories and data available to the public and businesses through our website, to help tailor their business practices and support employee wellbeing, both mental and physical, through this rapidly evolving situation.

We also remain committed to supporting our CSR projects. While many organisations' budgets may be impacted by the global economic recession, I believe that organisations can adapt and adjust their CSR activities in innovative ways, by leveraging their core competencies and unique positions to continue effectively meeting the needs of non-profit organisations and their projects.

Hsien-Hsien Lei Chief Executive Officer The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore

Companies cannot afford to put CSR on the back burner. Internal CSR continues to be critical for protecting employees' health and wellbeing. Additionally, for employees who have been retrenched, businesses that provide support above and beyond what might be expected are likely to benefit from greater employee engagement, productivity, and reputation.

While minimising corporate giving and external CSR may protect the bottom line, our member companies are continuing to make contributions to address the immediate needs of the communities where they operate. For example, Wiley is offering their resources to researchers, educators and professionals. HP has been donating PCs and printers to support working, learning and earning from home. And 3M has provided cash grants to alleviate hunger and provide basic needs support for vulnerable populations affected by economic disruption.

Responsible organisations would not neglect their CSR responsibilities during this downturn.

Joanne Wong Vice President, APJ Marketing LogRhythm

These unprecedented times have brought to light the need for a paradigm shift in how organisations approach CSR. We cannot just rely on perfunctory initiatives and give ourselves a pat on the back afterwards. For LogRhythm, we look at our long-term philosophy of helping keep businesses safe from cyber threats and think about ways of reinforcing that philosophy in times like today.

Beyond setting up a resource hub for any organisation to access best security practices in the context of the current situation, the most valuable contribution we've extended to our clients is our time. We'd normally charge consultation hours to clients who may require further cyber security support, but if the support they require relates to challenges coping with the impact of Covid-19, we're writing off charges within reasonable extent.

Vivian Chua VP, Singapore Managing Director HP Inc

Creating a positive impact in the communities we operate in is HP's DNA, regardless of circumstance. These challenging times have only reinforced our responsibility towards giving back to society by harnessing the power of technology. For example, we've mobilised our team to produce 1,500 3D-printed mask parts to support the fight against Covid-19. Our employees are also empowered to help through the HP Foundation, which serves two key Singapore-based beneficiaries. We've also created free online resources like HP Print & Play to help parents keep their kids entertained in a fun, creative way at home. In this new normal, HP remains committed to using our PC and print technologies and capabilities in service of humanity. This will help our communities, people, customers and partners to keep working, keep learning, keep going and emerge better and stronger in the future.

Veronica Shim Founder and CEO Envysion Wealth Management

Since the onset of Covid-19, CSR might have taken a back seat but, overall, contributions are at a higher level compared to the 2008 global financial crisis. Powered by increased awareness of social good in the last two decades, we are witnessing a significant evolution of business goals and priorities. This has not diminished, but instead, amidst a global health pandemic, we have seen businesses step up to contribute to the fight against the pandemic by donating masks, sanitisers and food items.

CSR can take on many forms and shouldn't be disrupted just because of short-term financial strains. Social responsibility is a core principle for Envysion, from donating personal protective equipment (PPE) like surgical masks to longer-term engagements like partnering social enterprise WISE, to educating and supporting disadvantaged groups. Taking CSR one step further, we are constantly evaluating different ESG projects, and along with guidance from our ESG advisor Ingo Puhl, to lead and influence our partners or clients to participate.

Kong Chee Min Chief Executive Officer Centurion Corporation Limited

Centurion strongly believes in the welfare of our human talent and residents, as well as the communities where we operate. We remain committed in our corporate giving, especially in the current climate where we see a greater need for care and compassion. During this Covid-19 period, beyond providing PPE and ensuring high standards of hygiene and cleanliness within our workplaces and accommodation sites, we also actively collaborate with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to support our foreign worker community in Singapore and Malaysia. In Australia, we contributed over S$50,000 to the bushfire crisis, and in China, we were at the forefront of the Covid-19 response when we donated masks to Red Cross Tianjin.

Jimmy Yam Vice President, East Asia Eaton

With the myriad of ongoing operational and financial challenges, CSR may take a back seat for a while. However, for the companies that still have the resources to support corporate giving, we will undoubtedly see a shift towards responding to more immediate needs in the communities we live and operate in. For example, my colleagues in the Philippines are donating masks and other protective gear to local governments, while our teams in Bangkok have placed themselves on the frontline 24/7 to support critical power infrastructure in hospitals. As the circuit breaker measures progress, I am sure that we will see more companies leveraging their unique resources and capabilities to embrace different approaches to giving and supporting the causes they champion.

Paul Choo VP, Human Resources & CSR Bridgestone Asia Pacific

Now more than ever, CSR should take a front-row seat for businesses that can employ their strengths and financial resources to help communities recover from this global pandemic. Through impactful CSR initiatives, we at Bridgestone continue to support communities and causes we believe in - whether by means of financial contributions or product and service donations. We adhere to the ethos of solidarity with and understanding of those in need. These universal traits are embedded in Bridgestone's business philosophy through our global CSR commitment, ''Our Way to Serve''. While our first and foremost priority is ensuring our employees' safety and well-being, we continue to engage and empower them to come together and contribute towards the fight against Covid-19.

Axel Berkling Executive Vice President KONE Asia Pacific

We are facing one of the biggest health and economic crises in modern history. While there has been adverse financial impact on companies, corporates must continue to support the local communities they operate in and not put corporate giving on the back burner. At KONE, we believe that it's important to contribute meaningfully to the economic development of countries where we operate. Our commitment to corporate philanthropy remains as robust as ever, during this challenging period, as this is when vulnerable communities need our support the most. For example, we work very closely with our not-for- profit organisation, the KONE Centennial Foundation, to shape programmes that help advance and support developmental, educational and cultural activities for children and youth.

Dean Collins Managing Partner, Singapore Dechert LLP

In times of crisis like we are seeing with this pandemic, we believe that CSR support from institutions is more important and impactful than ever. While this is first and foremost a human tragedy, there are many flow-on effects impacting millions of people emotionally, financially and legally. In these unprecedented times, we have seen individuals and businesses unable to fulfil their usual services, manage challenges in their supply chains, or adapt to regulatory change. Globally, Dechert has pledged to support a variety of causes, including using our legal expertise to provide pro bono support for non-profits, charities and small businesses to advise them on issues including leasing, contracts, employment issues and financial support applications. In Asia, we are continuing - by way of videoconference - to provide pro bono support at legal clinics for non-profit organisations and individuals who require advice on civil matters such as employment, tenancy and contractual disputes.

Osamu Shirai VP, Corporate Strategy & Development Shiseido Asia Pacific

Many companies are taking the opportunity to step up CSR efforts to lend their support in this current climate, and Shiseido is no exception. After all, CSR is central to our strategy and vision - ''Beauty innovations for a better world'' - and we believe that pursuing both economic and social values are important. It is also our practice to exercise flexibility and adaptability in our CSR efforts, where possible, to ensure our resources are efficiently managed for the best social impact outcomes.

At Shiseido, ''people first'' is a core value of our DNA. Apart from prioritising our employees' health and wellbeing, we recently extended our primary corporate principles to the world by aiding communities most affected by the Covid-19 crisis. Some initiatives include donations to multiple communities across Asia Pacific and in Singapore, the delivery of care packages to frontline medical staff at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National Centre of Infectious Diseases.

Cheryl Ng CEO and Founder Lemi

People today understand that when they support a company, they support a philosophy and a certain set of values. That's why we predict that the strongest companies in the coming years will be those that integrate social responsibility in their DNA, as opposed to making CSR an optional budget. At Lemi we help explorers discover and share local gems, while simultaneously helping small businesses get more customers and stay competitive against conglomerates and high rents. By building a positive business strategy we maintain a constructive impact on businesses through the highs and lows of the economy. This is the new way of doing business - doing good should not be separated from who we intrinsically are.

Sylvie Ouziel International President Envision Digital

I think Covid-19 triggered a dynamic of collective mobilisation to fight the good fight. I am personally positively impressed by the discipline of people around the world and the mobilisation of corporations to help caregivers and keep the essential lights on. We are all inspired and proud that Envision's founder and CEO created a greenfield high-quality mask factory which now produces 100,000 masks a day and is donating all its production to city-states, healthcare organisations and critical life continuity services around the world. Post-pandemic, I am convinced that decarbonisation will remain a key lever for cities and companies seeking to re-ignite growth. Climate change did not pause during Covid-19 and the European Green Deal might have been premonitory. Decarbonisation investments and transformations can be a way to get out of two crises: climate change and Covid-19's economic impact.

Eryk Lee Chief Executive Officer AAM Advisory

Third-sector finances are now more stretched than ever as charities face both an increase in demand for their services at the same time fundraising becomes more challenging. Many charities have had to adapt quickly to continue offering critical community support in the current environment, and they will play a huge part in helping society bounce back on the other side of this crisis. It is therefore crucial that businesses continue to support charities and there are many great examples of business leaders doing their bit to help the global community. For example, Jack Ma, Bill Gates and Jack Dorsey have committed huge sums to fund solutions to the crisis. In Singapore, we have Razer's donation of surgical masks, Marina Bay Sands' donation of food, and there are many other fund raising activities to help those who are impacted by this crisis. It is not the amount that matters, as long as we continue to contribute, even in small ways, the collective impact may still be huge.

Munenori Ando Regional Managing Director Epson Singapore

Sports and youth development has been the cornerstone of Epson's CSR efforts since the Epson Youth Challenge youth football tournament was launched in 2017. Since then, we have worked in partnership with Geylang International Football Club and Sports Singapore to deliver a platform for youths to fulfil their football dreams. At the same time, we continue to support Lakeside Family Services to run football clinics for underprivileged children. While this year's tournament may be affected by current events, Epson will continue to give back to the local community and seek appropriate opportunities to further develop Singaporean youths through sports.

Laletha Nithiyanandan Managing Director Behavioural Consulting Group

CSR is an ongoing duty undertaken by an organisation towards the community it serves and, in many ways, benefits from. It is not something that companies can turn on and off; my belief is that as long as a business is operating, it needs to take care of all its stakeholders. As a company, we are focussed on serving parts of society that may have been left out and also looking to make a real tangible difference to perhaps a smaller group rather than provide meaningless care packs or very small amounts of money that won't alleviate the distress that people are feeling at this point. We really need to move away from the one-size-fits-all mentality, especially with CSR.

Mike Ong Vice President BIGO Technology

During a recession, corporations naturally re-evaluate business models to stay afloat. We are lucky that the Singapore government has extended help to businesses, and that we have a strong, centralised community initiative like #SGUnited. To do our part, BIGO has donated essential healthcare supplies to hospitals and local communities in Singapore and around the world. Our international teams have also organised in-app professional healthcare Q&As to fight misinformation about Covid-19 and live workouts to encourage people to remain healthy even while staying home. As the Covid-19 crisis continues to evolve, BIGO stands with the global community to limit the spread of the virus and support the well-being of our users.

David Naidu General Manager FrieslandCampina Singapore

On the contrary, it is my belief that at moments such as this, humanity must come together. Compassion for one another is vitally important, and corporates shouldn't behave any differently. This is why at FrieslandCampina, we are doubling our efforts to provide tangible support in the communities we serve. However, instead of increasing our investments to our commitments of earlier years, we have shifted our priorities to groups with more immediate needs, namely frontline medical staff and foreign workers. We will continue this approach till the pandemic comes to an end.

Tom Simpson VP, Brands & Exchange, APAC AdColony

Mobile gaming has quickly become a welcome distraction and support during this period of social distancing for many people. In light of this, and to support the distribution of Covid-19 messaging, AdColony is donating 5 per cent added value on all campaigns across our mobile advertising platform to charities and government organisations to help amplify their communications regarding the ongoing pandemic. Through mobile gaming, everyone can #PlayApartTogether.

Yap Boh Tiong Chairman The Mileage Communications Group

Corporate giving will definitely be down as hardly any company has been spared the negative financial impact. While the government's support packages have been timed to ensure that organisations and individuals are provided for, there will be others who may need more assistance.

Since inception, our company has been contributing time, resources and funds in the educational sector. This includes scholarships and donations to needy students. During this pandemic period, we have responded to calls to provide for needy students of lower-income families whose parents have been retrenched or had their pay reduced.

In times like these, those who can still carry out their CSR responsibility should continue to do so.

Benjamin Tan Vice President Ultimaker Asia Pacific

CSR should be more than just wanting to do good. It should take on an inclusive, long-term perspective within the social and economic realms that we do business in. In an interconnected world, we cannot operate in silos.

In the face of the Covid-19 crisis, Ultimaker quickly stepped up to launch a global initiative to 3D-print tools and parts that are in shortage, into the hands of the nearest medical teams. At Ultimaker, we are also strong believers in education, driving outreach efforts such as the Ultimaker Pioneer Programme, fuelling innovation-driven education to develop key skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and supporting innovation through research labs and innovation centres. Downturn or not, we will continue to support efforts in these areas that we care about.

Andrew Seow Regional GM, SEAsia and Greater China Rimini Street

It is undoubtedly true that many organisations face challenges at the moment concerning corporate giving, and charities are losing sponsors as businesses and individuals face financial difficulty in the current crisis. At our organisation, we continue to support charities through the Rimini Street Foundation, launched in 2015, where we provide in-kind donations, employee time, and financial contributions in the communities where we live and work around the world.

In light of this unprecedented global disruption, we are more focused than ever on ensuring that we can continue to provide support for charities with the most immediate needs, particularly those that provide food and resources to families and individuals. We hope that other organisations can maintain their corporate giving as well, as more than ever before, communities need our help.

Tom Peacock-Nazil Founder Seven Clean Seas

CSR's role in the modern business is to align corporate purpose to metrics that have tangible benefits both socially and environmentally. This is a paradigm shift away from traditionally chasing profit for the shareholders above all else. I think it's fair to say this change manifested over time from a grassroots level throughout society. In order to stay aligned with their employees and most importantly their customers, companies must still take CSR activities extremely seriously going forward. Companies' bottom lines might be compromised in this impending recession, but the downturn is unlikely to change individual opinions around the importance of social and environmental action.

The current situation is somewhat different from usual economics-based downturns. If this were a typical downtime, I would say companies would continue to pursue CSR activities for the above reasons. What we see with Covid-19, however, is an inability to host activity and volunteer-based CSR programmes. Seven Clean Seas is on the frontline of this issue and I can confirm that all our CSR activities have been indefinitely postponed. Luckily, our clients are not cancelling and still intend to push on with the events when normality returns, which is a strong sign.

As a receiver of corporate giving, we can only give perspective from the other side of the table. We have seen no slowdown in grant and corporate giving activities thus far, but these projects were initiated before Covid-19. When applying for grants or corporate giving for specific projects, you need to have a firm timeline in your proposal and given this is impossible currently, things might slow down. Hopefully this resumes as normal once we overcome Covid-19, but it will surely push progress back by the same.

Tony Lim Singapore Head IG Group

As social and environmental issues have grown in recent decades, CSR has become an integral part of how companies operate in this day and age. Companies are now taking public stands against critical social issues, and despite the economic downturn due to Covid-19, the importance of such issues is unlikely to waver in most corporates' eyes. For firms that are more resilient, such as IG being an online trading platform, the commitment to CSR has not and will not change although the causes we seek to address may change according to the more pressing needs of our local communities in Singapore. As it stands, our parent company IG Group Plc has launched a matched-giving scheme to help our employees support the National Emergencies Trust (NET)'s Coronavirus Appeal, which is a UK charity set up to raise funds to help those most affected by Covid-19. In our Singapore office, we will be channelling our CSR funds to address Covid-19 implications in our community. We have also seen our colleagues in other global IG offices organising similar fundraising programmes, which is all very heartening. Far-reaching results can only be possible when companies commit to doing their part in enacting positive changes in their communities and beyond. With increasing demand from both internal and external stakeholders to do what is socially responsible, the CSR emphasis in companies will only grow.

Tomas O' Farrell Co-founder Workana

We have seen a growing number of companies giving back to society in spite of the unprecedented circumstances that came with the Covid-19 outbreak. Challenging as it may be, businesses recognise this period as the time to show more care for their employees, their customers, and to the public. We, at Workana, focus on upholding the health and safety of our employees, as well as their families. We also reach out to companies that were hurt by the sudden need for remote working and business continuity and share with them our know-how and services. More than financial help, we have the social responsibility to come together and support one another in any way we can, big or small, to fight this crisis.

Nick Lim General Manager, APJ TIBCO

We have heard stories about how businesses big and small, despite hurting from the circumstances caused by the pandemic, are contributing in whatever way they can in the fight against Covid-19. These stories show that the downturn can drive companies to step up and take responsibility for the common good. At TIBCO, we will continue sharing our knowledge and expertise in data science, be it through partnering with local educational institutions to equip students with advanced analytics skills and address the nation's skills gap, or helping hospitals and public health authorities on the global front to understand and reduce the outbreak's impact.

Ronnie Lee General Manager Lenovo Singapore

It is particularly during this time that we recognise our communities need more support than before. Lenovo is constantly identifying projects where we can increase the access to technology for our diverse communities. As many people have had to adapt to work-from-home and home-based learning, there are increasing demands for suitable tech devices for such activities. We are actively offering our support to various groups - recently, Lenovo loaned devices to the Marymount Centre for vulnerable women and children to support the latter in their schooling needs. Across Asia Pacific, Lenovo has provided devices to students in Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan, and supplied essentials such as masks and sterilisation services to Wuhan, China and South Korea. CSR remains a priority for us and we are ensuring that we are responding to the changing needs of society as the year progresses.

Abhishek Deshmukh VP of Engineering & MD, Singapore Zendesk

No, CSR won't take a back seat; in fact, we are seeing the opposite. Our social impact team mobilised quickly as the Covid-19 pandemic started to hit some of our most vulnerable businesses and citizens. In the past month alone, our employees have completed over 1,000 virtual volunteering hours, and we expect that to continue to increase through the year as we look at new ways to help others.

We also launched our Tech For Good programme to help non-profits and community organisations impacted by Covid-19 by donating free software and support to help manage volunteering, relief efforts, home assistance, and more. So far, more than 140 organisations have applied.

There's no doubt this pandemic will be a watershed moment for responsible and purpose-driven businesses, and will continue to encourage business leaders to find new and more impactful ways we can support our communities

Andie Rees Managing Partner - South East Asia Odgers Berndtson

Odgers Berndtson has a CSR initiative which the local offices in various parts of the world are in sync with. In keeping with this year's global charity initiative, the Singapore office undertook a rowing challenge which, thankfully, was completed before the circuit breaker measures were implemented. The proceeds will be going to a local charity each regional office has decided on. Other initiatives that we run such as CEOx1day and on-site mentorship with the Halogen Programme are unfortunately impacted during this time. However we are fully aware of how much hardship some people are going through and we want to continue to support the work of those who are tirelessly bettering the lives of the disadvantaged, vulnerable and economically challenged, while remaining committed to our staff, clients and other stakeholders.

Ling Fang Senior Vice President Alstom Asia Pacific

Organisations around the globe have implemented drastic changes to help cushion the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak. For businesses, it is time to make a difference and prove what they stand for both to their employees and to the public. At Alstom, CSR has always been an integral policy, and we strengthen our efforts especially during times of crisis. A vast number of initiatives have emerged from among Alstom's employees, sites and countries to provide help to healthcare professionals through the donation of protective equipment, financial support to medical facilities, and safer mobility for the frontline workers. One of the most innovative initiatives was the use of 3D printing technology to produce face shields and valves for respirators. Our employees who have a 3D printer at home were also invited to join in. Alstom is immensely proud of how its teams have responded to this challenge, and encourages everyone, both within Alstom and outside, to contribute in whatever way they can. Besides our relief efforts for Covid-19, our philanthropic arm, The Alstom Foundation, is also continuing its search this year for worthy causes to support and the nominations for new projects to be submitted by NGOs are ongoing.

Luigi La Tona Chief Operating Officer StorHub Self Storage

CSR is important to serve one's community and while current hardships may reduce these activities, those that have built a proactive programme based on internal strengths can engage the community further, especially during the current crisis.

The best CSR initiatives are those embedded in each company's DNA and ours is storage. By proactively engaging not-for-profit and charitable organisations to address their need for more space, we empower them to do what they do best, serving their immediate constituents and community in Singapore.

Sudhanshu Tewari Co-founder & CEO Rewardz

Depending on their own circumstances, some companies may be forced to cut back on CSR, while others step up to support our frontline heroes and directly impacted persons, setting a positive example and building employee loyalty. Unlike the last global financial crisis, this pandemic is inciting more socially responsible behaviour at the individual level. With people keen to help, despite increasing physical isolation, companies would do well to provide their employees appropriate channels. At Rewardz, we are leveraging our status as digital engagement experts to play a bridging role, helping companies empower their employees to give back through various charities and pandemic-specific initiatives, while keeping fit and maintaining morale.

Kunalan Chakravarthy Chief Executive Priority Consultants Group

As the inevitable recession nears, we fear future large-scale CSR initiatives will definitely be impacted. Companies will redouble their efforts to maintain financial health, preserve jobs and livelihoods.

It is our hope and expectation that community-led grassroots, crowdfunded CSR programmes will become a very viable alternative to help local community causes. For example the drive to encourage those who can afford the donation to contribute all or part of their Solidarity Budget payouts to charitable programmes to help the less fortunate in our society.

In line with that we are encouraging our people in the region to identify similar programmes that enable the contribution of smaller but steady amounts to causes that make an impact at community levels with a long tail.

Eng Thiam Choon Chief Executive Officer Tiger Brokers Singapore

During a downturn like the current Covid-19 pandemic, Tiger Brokers believes that CSR needs to be prioritised. As a corporate organisation, we are part of the community: if the community we are in is in good shape, then we can be successful. Over the years, Tiger Brokers had participated in CSR activities such as running, to promote environmental sustainability. During this time, we recognise that people are concerned about health and safety, hence we are donating 5,000 masks to essential frontline workers. ''All for one, one for all'' - Tiger Brokers strongly believes in giving a helping hand to society in such difficult times.

Sudhir Agarwal Chief Executive Officer Everise

CSR is more important now than ever as we navigate our way through this new normal. Change is inevitable, and this is a watershed moment. As business leaders today, our CSR efforts must be focused on our people and the communities we operate in. Fortunately, Everise is in a position to do so and we are working on innovative assistance programmes for our people and those close to them who are affected by this crisis.

Cindy Leong Founder Relationship Studio

Our company did the least we could recently by compiling a Circuit Breaker #SGUnited Virtual Care Pack to be circulated among chat groups, social media and the community. The response was positive. CSR may not require a lot of money or a showcase of touching moments. It's the thought that counts, towards not just the underprivileged, but the community in general. It's about uncovering the needs of the community at this time and meet the needs in our best capacity. Everyone can play a part.

Henry Tan Managing Director Nexia TS

It is certainly a difficult decision to make. When companies are considering cost-cutting measures that include asking vendors to reduce prices, adjusting staff salaries and benefits, even laying off excess staff, corporate giving would seem like a good-to-have and certainly dispensable. However, as a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact Sustainability Goals, we believe we need to ensure sustainability in causes we believe in. We may need to reduce support in non-core causes but the core areas of education support for needy students will continue. It's times like these that our beneficiaries really need us. We hope to do our best to continue in this difficult time.

Lim Soon Hock Managing Director PLAN-B ICAG

Contrary to taking a back seat, the Covid-19 pandemic created an opportunity for companies to step up corporate social responsibility, in ways big and small. For example, companies can redeploy factors of production and valuable resources to manufacture PPE and masks, at cost or even for free. Some hotels have also been repurposed as makeshift quarantine or isolation centres. Should the situation deteriorates, companies can offer parking lots to be reconstituted as testing facilities. Given the disruption in supply chains, firms in the food industry can and should scale up production, to ensure there will not be shortages.

A company that I am involved in decided to do its bit and sent masks and sanitisers to our customers in Europe when it became the next epi-centre after China. Although a small act, it was deeply appreciated by many of them.

CSR, irrespective of amount or size, will always have a role to play in both good and bad times. It will define who we are as a business, a board of directors, management and employees, in the larger context of the vital partnerships amongst the three key stakeholders of the public, private and people sectors.

David Leong Managing Director PeopleWorldwide Consulting Pte Ltd

As business cashflow starts to dry up across the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic, CSR may have to take a back seat. The usual funding means by these corporates for charities may dry up. Many donors are fighting to last through this unprecedented crisis with cashflow recycling, reduced expenses and conservation of cash. Many may not even survive.

In such a period, PeopleWorldwide's social responsibility is extended to help affected foreign workers by providing donations in kind, such as clothes. Whether in a small or big way, such social-mindedness will help make this depressing period a bit more bearable.

Dora Hoan Chief Executive Officer Best World International Ltd

Although some corporates might need to modify their business strategies to navigate the new economic landscape and fight for survival, a brand's community engagement and social contributions are still crucial during difficult times. CSR programmes are key in combining both business and social goals into a symbiotic circle, and thus they should remain a priority even during a downturn.

For our organisation, we have always been enthusiastic about community contribution and focusing on our CSR initiatives - for example, the World Learners' Student Exchange Programme, which involves the reconstruction of schools in China and sponsorship of less-privileged Chinese and local students and has been going on for over 10 years. We will continue the sponsorship this year. In addition, we have also been providing our support to meaningful charity projects. The economic downturn will not affect our commitment to giving back to society; we will continue to do our utmost for the most worthy causes, as far as our financial situation allows.

Annie Yap Chief Executive Officer AYP Group

Companies are facing unprecedented financial issues amid the declining global demand due to the Covid-19 outbreak. If anything, CSR is needed now more than ever due to the difficulties that vulnerable communities are facing. But with companies now focusing on their own dire internal issues such as cash flow, charities and non-profits may face a sudden shortage of resources. The silver lining is that more and more individuals are stepping up and are taking it upon themselves to contribute to organisations that aid the needy. In a similar vein, as an organisation, we believe that the onus is on us to help those who are in need and we will continue to contribute to relief efforts in whatever way we can.

Rathakrishnan Govind Chief Executive Officer London School of Business and Finance

A crisis such as what we are witnessing requires companies to step up their CSR activities. But instead of focusing on giving outwards, the CSR activities may include giving inwards to support the staff and their families. We are in an unprecedented situation and no one is the wiser to tell us what and how to do better. This is the time to pool the resources to help people to keep jobs and provide the necessary support to reduce anxiety in the workforce. Companies are also in the same predicament as individuals today; and they can tweak their usual CSR activities by providing a valued service rather than monetary contribution. A good CSR plan would have mitigated against such calamities; if not, it's time to relook this now!

Damian Tan Managing Director Vickers Venture Partners

The impact of economic shutdowns and restrictions due to Covid-19 is global and devastating. Supply exceeds demand, prices are tumbling everyday, incentive to innovate is lost, businesses go bankrupt, jobs are lost, science and technology recedes. People are concerned about just staying alive financially amidst the collapse.

While companies may be worried about humanity, many are not in a position to respond, as they could themselves be struggling just to keep their workers. However companies that can help are working with their governments to save people, by making masks, virus test kits, offering hotel rooms for quarantine, etc.

But the real CSR gift - a gift to the world now - is to find a cure for Covid-19. That will make the most impact to humanity. Vicker's is doing the utmost to support Emergex Vaccines, our portfolio company based in the UK, to develop a vaccine against Covid-19. Countries and corporations are losing millions and billions of dollars everyday if a vaccine is not found. They should allocate some of their money towards vaccine development. Vaccines should be widely distributed globally because the pandemic touches everyone and can come back again. The aim is to vaccinate everyone, not select segments. Only a vaccine can turn this crisis around completely and restore the world's economy.