Watching CSR progress

Q: Why is Harry Winston committed to CSR? Apart from philanthropy, what are the benefits to Harry Winston?

CSR is an integral part of Harry Winston's business practice, policy and operational strategy. It is our responsibility as a company to address the ethical, social and environmental impacts of our business operations within the markets we operate and to strive to improve the quality of life for our employees, their families and the local community.

In developing our CSR initiatives, Harry Winston as a company spends much time in considering and thoroughly researching the activities it is involved in to ensure that those selected are based on a well developed business decision on behalf of the entire company.

One thing that Harry Winston is acutely aware of is the fact that CSR activities need to be constantly developing in pace with society, the environment and the corporation's business activities.

The Middle East has traditionally been one of Harry Winston's strongest strategic markets worldwide. Since the establishment of our Middle East Regional office about 18 months ago, we have worked with heartfelt passion and steadfast commitment to forge strong partnerships here in Dubai and across the Middle East region.

The Harry Winston - Paint a Smile - Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre project was the first CSR project run by Harry Winston in the Middle East and reflects our commitment to the Dubai community.

Through this initiative we at Harry Winston wanted find a way of giving something back to a society that has given us so much already. And what better way than to create a lasting and truly special and happy experience for children. An additional benefit has been that this initiative has helped us to forge even stronger relationships with our local partners who are not only business colleagues but true friends.


Q: How has your CSR policy benefitted your staff?

The project has benefited everyone who has been involved from employees to our partner organisations. Without exception, every individual felt that they were part of a unique venture that will, at the very least, put smiles on the faces of children at the Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre for years to come.

The really unique outcome of the Harry Winston - Paint a Smile - Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre project is that those involved including the organisers, partners, sponsors and most importantly donors will actually be able to witness the result of the their involvement when visiting the Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre.

The six Smile Painters, who started work on October 14th, 2005, are expected to complete the project by December 2005, at which point we hope to celebrate the wonderful creations along with all those that were involved and especially with those who donated substantial funds in order to make this initiative a reality.


Q: How important is it to find synergies between company activity and CSR activity? What synergies are there between Paint-a-smile and Harry Winston?

Ideally synergies should be found between the company and its CSR activities but I do not believe it to be a must in order to be successful. With the Harry Winston - Paint a Smile - Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre project, synergies are not that obvious apart from the fact that both organisation (Harry Winston and Paint a Smile) are of Swiss origin.

The key success factor is that the CSR activity has to make sense and be of value and relevance to the community within which it is conducted. It requires proper planning, strategy and structure in order to have an impact that is meaningful, responsible and accountable.


Q: How do you find CSR awareness and activity in the different markets/regions you operate in? Is it catching up in more developing areas?

Whilst CSR is perhaps more established across Europe, US, Australia and some markets within the Far East, I, for one, have seen CSR take on a more meaningful role within an organisation's policies operating in the Middle East region. There is a definitive shift by companies and corporations to take responsibility within the communities they operate and to develop real and meaningful CSR activities.

CSR can be confusing when there is a lack of clarity, particularly in less mature corporate environments where initial steps are being taken. It is relatively new to the Middle East region and education and evaluation are vital to getting it right.

Ultimately all CSR activity has to generate, promote and sustain a dialogue between a corporation and all its relevant audiences, to promote responsibility as a key attribute of the corporation and to ensure that the corporation's reputation is enhanced by its true commitment to CSR.


Q: What other CSR activities have you taken part in?

Harry Winston has recently taken part in an initiative to help children with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy. On September 22nd, 2005, 2 days after our Dubai initiative, Harry Winston was involved in the Monaco Yacht Show. In the presence of H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco, an unprecedented watch charity auction of 34 unique wristwatches raised USD 2.3 million to fund important medical research to help children with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy.

Harry Winston Rare Timepieces participated in this extremely important and highly successful event by donating a 'pièce unique' Excenter Biretro 'Starlight'. This Harry Winston Rare Timepiece was sold among other watch brands during the auction. One hundred percent (100%) of the proceeds will be donated to the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy.


Q: How do you monitor your CSR and its results? How important is accountability?

At Harry Winston we clearly understand that CSR is not PR, it is not sponsorship and it is certainly not advertising. CSR needs to be factual, modest and measurable.

Research and evaluation are crucial to any CSR campaign. Many elements are incorporated into our research and evaluation process such as identifying issues and parameters, setting ourselves benchmarks, measuring progress, impact and effectiveness, providing input to management, and setting boundaries for communications.

Results from the Harry Winston - Paint a Smile campaign will be monitored over time in collaboration with Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre - after all it is not an over-night deliverable but rather a sustained and long term commitment. Our intention at Harry Winston, with the support and commitment of our partners, is to roll out initiatives of this nature across the Middle East region.