SOFTIP started working with the Down Syndrome Society six years ago. „When they approached us to donate two percent of their income tax, their story immediately resonated with us. Our colleague had a child with Down syndrome,“ explains SOFTIP's board member and CFO Martin Vlcko. Through a colleague, they already knew the prejudices, problems and barriers that people with disabilities and their families have to deal with every day. Thus began a collaboration between companies from two seemingly distant spheres of life.
EMPLOYEE INITIATIVE. In the beginning it was about financial support of the activities organized by the Down Syndrome Society in Slovakia, either in the form of a two percent donation or through financial donations. These are mainly used by the civic initiative to organise summer recreational stays for children. „They are of great importance not only for the children, who learn independence and new skills during them, but also for their families, who have the opportunity to exchange experiences and gain valuable advice from other parents,“ explains M. Vlčko.
In recent years, SOFTIP employees themselves have become involved in the support by organizing volunteer events and fundraisers to support children with disabilities. SOFTIP currently employs 195 people, many of whom have worked for the company for decades. At the end-of-year company meeting, the employees traditionally prepare a Christmas stand where they sell original gifts - products made by children with Down syndrome. All proceeds from the sales go to the Down Syndrome Society. „In addition, this year we have decided that SOFTIP will double all the money raised at the Christmas stall. Every single euro raised will therefore be worth two,“ adds M. Vlčko.
SOCK CHALLENGE. SOFTIP also regularly supports the so-called Sock Appeal, which falls on 21 March and was launched six years ago. Socks are shaped like a chromosome. While a healthy person has an even number of chromosomes - 46, a person with Down syndrome has 47. So one „sock“ is left without a pair. During the Sock Challenge, people put on two different socks to draw attention to the fact that each person is different and unique.
Social responsibility is a topic for many companies today. According to M. Vlček, people will sooner or later sense whether they are sincere about it or just marketing. „It is important to do things out of conviction. Companies today have a much greater opportunity to influence their surroundings than they used to. And they should do it in a positive direction,“ he thinks.
MORE CONSCIOUS CUSTOMERS. SOFTIP has been on the market for 28 years. While in the beginning it offered companies five basic software products, today its portfolio consists of ERP solutions as well as solutions for HR, manufacturing companies, infrastructure and cloud services. Its products are used by customers in the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Germany, the UK and other European countries. The company wants to expand its portfolio further. „We see room in the use of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity or image processing to recognise detected objects, for example in traffic analysis or airport security,“ says M. Vlčko.
According to him, customers have changed significantly over the past two decades. They are much more demanding, more aware, they demand customised solutions. „Boxed“ software is no longer enough for them. „They have a much greater understanding of technology than they did twenty years ago. The offer on the market is wide, they have a lot to choose from,“ evaluates a member of SOFTIP's board of directors.
AMONG EXCEPTIONAL COMPANIES. SOFTIP was among the winners of the second year of the Exceptional Company project, where it took the Social Responsibility category. The project awarded companies in three categories - Quality, Innovation and Social Responsibility. Companies can enter the competition from February to April 2020. All they have to do is register via the portal vynimocnafirma.sk.
Text: Tatiana Kapitánová, Photo: SOFTIP
The article was published in PROFIT - INDEX magazine on January 8, 2020