Key messages for businesses
How you can help
Based on Deutsche Bank's experience, businesses that wish to build effective long-term partnerships with arts organisations and schools should consider the following.
Be more than just a sponsor |
Provide direction, advice and practical support in your areas of expertise, as well as funding. All of the organisations working with Deutsche Bank are motivated by the bank's interest in, and support for, their work. |
Communicate regularly with your partners |
Be on hand to talk to your partners when they need support and have one point of contact that they can get to know well. Building good relationships will generate greater commitment from all involved. |
Don't be too prescriptive |
Make your objectives clear, but trust the arts organisations to plan the detail of what to do with the funding you provide. This will free them to be creative and innovative. |
If possible, make a long-term commitment |
By giving arts organisations three years of funding, Deutsche Bank enables them to develop long-term relationships with schools and plan their work strategically. |
Think sustainability |
Factor into your plans the sustainability of the improvements beyond the project itself. By working with and supporting teachers as well as pupils the impact and reach of your initiative will be far greater. |
Create a team approach |
If you are in a partnership with several different arts organisations, consider bringing them together to share their experiences and practice. All of the organisations involved in the ECL project have found this particularly valuable. |
Enlist other support |
Deutsche Bank has strengthened its education activities, particularly ECL, by working with organisations such as Arts & Kids, Community Service Volunteers (CSV) and QCA. |
How it can help you
From reading the case studies, it is clear how schools and arts organisations benefit from their partnership with Deutsche Bank. But what have been the benefits to Deutsche Bank of getting involved in these types of projects?
The ECL programme is contributing to the ongoing development of Deutsche Bank in terms of:
• greater opportunity for staff involvement in broader activities and increased job satisfaction
ECL is an important part of the Bank's strategy to motivate new recruits and existing employees. The programme provides a wide range of opportunities for staff to work with local schools. All those involved have greatly enjoyed the experience and commented positively on being part of an organisation that is directly contributing to the education experiences of young people.
‘It made me feel very pleased to belong to this bank and made the rest of my work seem more worthwhile.' (member of Deutsche Bank staff)
• improved awareness of Deutsche Bank within local communities
Although Deutsche Bank is an international bank, it wants to be seen as a local company. Working directly with teachers and young people helps the bank to achieve this goal. The work with schools introduces the name of the bank to young people who may not hear about it in any other way.
‘Pupils were very interested in why Deutsche Bank had provided the money for this work and what they were getting in return. They did not realise that a company like Deutsche Bank would be interested in them'. (teacher)
• enhanced public image and greater recognition of the important part business can play in improving educational experiences
Education and the arts are internationally recognised as worthwhile contexts for support from business. Deutsche Bank has a long-standing reputation as a supporter of the arts and ECL is their flagship programme. This programme has clearly demonstrated that support is not just about funding but also about bringing positive business methods to educational experiences.
‘The relationship with Deutsche Bank was much more than about money – we benefited greatly from their questions and business approach that gave us clear objectives and freedom to innovate within clear guidelines.' (teacher)
• increased sense of corporate identity and demonstration of core values (Performance, Innovation, Customer focus, Teamwork and Trust)
The bank's employees are expected to report on how they are meeting the company's core values. The ECL programme provides an explicit demonstration of the core values and helps employees recognise, and take pride in, what the bank does to support one of its key stakeholder groups - society.
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