Tech Citizenship
2008
PTC’s giving is an investment in its future
John Stuart, the senior vice president of global education and community relations for Parametric Technology Corp. in Needham, has been working for years to find the best ways to implement PTC’s focus on education in its charitable efforts. He is currently deployed in Bucharest, Romania, on a one-year global initiative assignment, but took the time to respond to e-mailed questions from Mass High Tech freelance writer Amber Gay.
Q: Why should a company give back to its community?
A: There are various ways to measure a company — performance, drive for excellence, stock price — but there’s more to it than that. In order to be a really great company, you need to give back. You need to have a deep impact on the area in which you work and the community in which you engage.
Q: What advice can you give startup companies about making their first move into charitable efforts?
A: It’s got to be totally related to the context of the corporation. If it’s a feel-good cash donation, that’s fine and we do that, too. But the charities that have the most distinction are ongoing, sustainable programs that benefit both you and your customer. Cash and volunteer programs are not sustainable. Our education program, on the other hand, is ten years old.
Q: Describe one moment that stands out for you in connection with your company’s charity efforts from last year.
A: Actually, two stand out. The first was PTC’s involvement in the FIRST Robotics Competition, which is the Super Bowl of high school robotics competitions. We donated money and software and our employees volunteered as judges. The second was PTC Pals, a mentor program where several of us went to visit K-5 students at a local school every other week. I myself mentored a second grader. It was personally rewarding.
Q: How can technology best be used to help with charitable efforts?
A: In our case, we have a version of our 3-D design software packaged for secondary schools. We donate that software to schools around the globe. But it’s not just the software. We offer a curriculum, teaching tools, and a host of online tools to teach students in grades 4-12 how to use our software. We use blogs and social networking tools to build a global community where teachers, students, and mentors can all talk to one another. Technology ties together the entire community.
Q: With the tough economy, do you envision less or more charity activity by tech companies in the coming year?
A: Macroeconomic conditions are going to dictate what each company does. But if you want to sustain yourself, you have to invest in the future. And sometimes the best time to invest in the future is when you are in a slump. PTC’s education program is a long-term investment. The students we teach, mentor, and provide tools for today maybe our customers tomorrow. That’s our investment.
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