Perion in CR push following merger

Following its reverse merger with Conduit’s Client Connect, app monetization and software company Perion is ramping up its CR efforts with a $1.5m volunteering initiative.

Simone Shaltiel, Perion’s social responsibility manager, told Ethical Performance that the merger has provided the company with the resources to take a more strategic approach to corporate giving and CR. The merger has also meant that the Israel and California-based company has more than doubled in size, resulting in a HQ move to Holon, which is one of the focal points of the new volunteering programme.

The programme encourages all Perion employees to spend up to 40 work hours per year volunteering in the community. In partnership with Israel’s national food bank, Leket, and the Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel, Perion employees have already started delivering monthly food packages to 100 Holocaust survivors in Holon who are living in poverty.
Individuals employees have also started volunteering in their own areas of interest and Perion’s US office staff have also introduced their own CSR progammes.

Additionally, Perion and the municipality of Holon have started working together, in collaboration with the Joint Distribution Committee, to launch a neighbourhood improvement programme in one of the city’s poorest areas.

“Establishing and launching our new CSR programme is something that is of the highest priority for our company and is one of the things we are most proud of,” said Hanit Marinov, vp of marketing. “Our company – at its core – is deeply committed to giving back to the community around us, and to ensuring that our employees are given the time and encouragement to participate in, and guide our CSR work.”

Shaltiel explained that the company was also looking to boost its workforce diversity and is currently working with non profit organisations in attempt to encourage Arab Israelis, Ethiopian Israelis and the disabled to apply for Perion vacancies. She is also looking at targeting the Aspergers community.

Shaltiel says she is fortunate that CR at Perion has buy-in from the ceo, Josef Mandelbaum, who is a passionate advocate for volunteering himself. Mandelbaum was responsible for setting the 40-hour target (it was originally only 30 hours).

“Employee satisfaction rates are a key driver for us,” Shaltiel explained. “These initiatives make people feel more committed and in the long term that is good for the business. If they make people feel excited about their work then that also helps to enhance the company’s image.”

Shaltiel says the company will measure the success of the programme with an employee satisfaction survey, the number of employees involved and the number of volunteering hours that take place.