Dave:
I’ve always had a personal objection to corporations “taking sides” on non-business issues.
This topic came up many times at management meetings, and I always had the same answer – “I’m willing to designate a percentage of corporate earnings for an employee-directed action committee”. In other words, there are many good causes out there, but I didn’t believe the company should decide which ones to fund. I was willing to contribute corporate funds to employees who wanted to take the time to study the options, but for reasons unknown to me, no committee was ever formed.
They say that corporate culture comes from the top, and I accept that I was probably the guilty party on this. Shipping great product was never easy. I really was 100% focused on things customers could see, and everything else I always considered a distraction.
-Ken W
PS Thank you for the kind words!