An Inside Look into Prismatic's Partnership with Harvard Business Publishing
In the dynamic landscape of corporate social responsibility, Prismatic has forged a remarkable partnership with Harvard Business Publishing (HBP) that exemplifies the transformative potential of collaboration between non-profits and corporations. This partnership not only showcases the power of aligning missions but also provides a compelling blueprint for other corporate entities seeking to make a positive impact on Chicago's youth.
Mission Alignment: A Key Catalyst
At the heart of this partnership lies a profound alignment of missions. Harvard Business Publishing, a renowned leader in the corporate sphere, sought to advance ideas and skills among adults and emerging leaders. They also sought to find impactful ways to develop the next generation of professionals to foster emotionally intelligent workplaces. Prismatic, on the other hand, focuses on nurturing and empowering young people in Chicago. This alignment laid a solid foundation for the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of shared values and a commitment to social impact beyond monetary contributions.
Creating an Impactful Event: Blazing Your Path Career Day
Harvard Business Publishing, recognizing the need to foster employee engagement and community involvement, embarked on a unique journey with Prismatic. They jointly launched "Blazing Your Path," a large-scale mentoring event that combined mission alignment with meaningful engagement.
The event, held virtually in partnership with Chicago schools, allowed students to experience a virtual field trip, pulling up their Chromebooks and logging into sessions hosted by HBP's volunteer employees from across the country. Over three hours, students participated in panel discussions, delving into topics such as advocating for one's worth, balancing mental health and professional growth, and designing post-high school career paths. Additionally, Day in a Life Sessions gave students valuable insights into various professional roles within HBP, spanning finance, marketing, content management, business development, and more.
Outcomes and Impact
The partnership between Prismatic and Harvard Business Publishing yielded significant outcomes and impacts in two key areas:
Employee Engagement: Harvard Business Publishing employees found a unique opportunity to come together, fostering a sense of purpose and connection, especially in an era when remote work had become the norm.
Career Exposure: For the students, the event was a revelation. Many discovered job opportunities they had never heard of before, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to explore new career paths.
A Model for Future Collaborations
The partnership between Prismatic and Harvard Business Publishing offers a compelling model for other corporate partners seeking to make a lasting impact on youth and communities. The key takeaways include:
Alignment of Goals - Commitmitting to Empowering Local Youth: Corporations should align their HR goals, diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives with community investment efforts, recognizing that investing in education ultimately shapes the future workforce.
Community Engagement: Instead of viewing partnerships solely through a corporate giving lens, corporations should actively engage with non-profits to understand how they can contribute meaningfully to the community.
Openness to Diversity: Prismatic's flexibility in working with both large corporations and smaller companies showcases that impactful collaborations can take various forms, catering to the unique needs and resources of each partner.
Prismatic's partnership with Harvard Business Publishing demonstrates the incredible potential for corporate-nonprofit collaborations when missions align, fostering employee engagement, youth empowerment, and a brighter future for all. By taking inspiration from this successful partnership, other corporate entities can be inspired to kickstart their journey to positively impact the next generation of leaders in Chicago and beyond.
If your corporation is interested in partnering with Prismatic, contact us to get started.