We’re committed to making a meaningful contribution to the communities and networks we serve. It’s part of our business DNA – because we realise that when we share with those around us, it’s good for everyone. It’s especially powerful when we help a cause and expect nothing in return. And in 2025, we’re taking it all up a notch or two!
It’s no secret that we’re in business to be commercially successful. Most businesses are. But yBC has also been contributing to community, environmental and sustainability initiatives we care about for many years.
Since 2007, we’ve ditched mod cons like a flashy city office and other business assets. We were very early adopters of collaborative workspaces and online platforms, meaning that our team could work from anywhere. In fact, for nearly 20 years, we’ve adopted the policy of working with the “right people in the wrong places” – choosing to build a team of the very best people, working at a distance. No big deal in 2025, but back in 2007 when we started doing this, we were regarded as quirky or weird.
At the height of growth (in 2018), we had a core team of 18 people, with our number fluctuating over time as our clients’ needs (and our way of working) change. We’re a team of geographically dispersed but digitally connected colleagues, and one thing we have in common is that we enjoy using our skills and expertise to help make a positive impact.
It’s because of this modus operandi that we’ve had extra flexibility and freedom to work on projects in a very different way than “industry standard”. This, in turn, has enabled us to choose to help others as well.
Our Giving Back work
We often talk about “giving back”, and where community organisations or community-minded individuals seek help but have very thin or no budgets, we have offered to help. Specifically we have done all of the following across various projects:
- pro-bono work (where possible) – where we charge no fees or expenses, and give our time freely
- heavily discounted work – which can mean the client organisation pays hard costs only, or pays a very low “community rate” for our work.
- other in-kind contributions (such as gifting of resources or use of our platforms).
We’ve chosen to do this this because we’re part of the communities we operate in (and serve) – and we want to make a positive contribution to seeing those communities thrive.
Measuring our impact
In December 2024, yBC CEO Mark Sinclair decided that we should proactively look back at the company’s contributions over the past decade, tally up the hours and pro-bono contributions, discounts (for community organisations and not for profits) and also quantify our impact in other ways, where possible. The idea being that we should be more proactive about sharing this information with our clients, contacts and community.
“It feels good to know that we’re making a real difference, and to quantify the value of this”
Why measure this? Our motivation is partly selfish – it feels good to know that we are making a real difference, and to quantify the value of the time and resource we have put into our Giving Back programmes, and also the impact these initiatives have had. Most importantly we are measuring this to encourage other successful businesses to do the same.
We believe – especially in an era of enhanced conflict, division and polarisation – that doing something positive is far better than adding to division. So all of our Giving Back initiatives are about helping achieve positive results for community and our planet. Further, we believe that the more positive contributions you can make, the more likely that you’ll have real, long lasting impact. That’s part of the reason for measuring and celebrating what we do. And finally, if you can measure those contributions objectively and clearly, it’s a great motivational tool for everyone.
The value of our Giving Back measured in dollars
What did we find? Well, in the years 2018 to 2024, our Giving Back contribution surpassed NZ$500,000 in value.
“Our motivation in sharing these numbers? To encourage other businesses to do the same. It’s also a great motivational tool.
Around 85% of our Giving Back programme has a direct and positive impact on the environment – via projects which focus on sustainability, regenerative thinking and system change – at regional, national or international level. Of these projects, over two thirds have a focus specifically in and around Central Otago, New Zealand. We live in an area of outstanding natural beauty and we want people to be able to enjoy this region – and of course the planet – indefinitely.
The balance of our Giving Back programme is focussed on Youth or hyper-local community initiatives in and around the township of Wānaka (see main image at top of page), New Zealand, where CEO Mark Sinclair lives.
Some of the projects we contribute to are confidential – or our involvement needs to be. But during 2025, we are going to share details of some of our most extraordinary accomplishments within our Giving Back programme. But as an indication, we have helped:
- Wao Aotearoa
- Wānaka Festival of Colour, Central Otago, New Zealand
- Various universities – specifically key projects and teams which focus on important sustainability initiatives, including
- The University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Massey University, New Zealand
- Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Sydney University, Australia
- Wānaka Stakeholders Group (and Protect Wānaka), Central Otago
- We Love Wakatipu, Queenstown, Central Otago
- Kahu Youth Trust, Wānaka, Central Otago
- The Cardrona Heritage Trust, Central Otago
- Sustainable Tarras, Central Otago
- The Tititea Performing Arts Dance Competition, Wānaka, New Zealand
Interested or inspired?
If other businesses are thinking about setting up similar programmes to benefit community and/or planet, or if you’d like to collaborate with us on a Giving Back initiative, we’d be more than happy to privately share details of some of the work we’ve done, and share some of our learnings.
Or if we think we could or should help your organisation in some way, please get in touch directly with Mark to do this.