Ricoh 2012 Annual Report Download - page 81

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Ricoh Group Sustainability Report 2012 80
Top Message About us Our Activities
To Grow with Society
Data
time had been allocated to exercises, drills and tests because teachers
were able to use more of their time for teaching rather than wasting
it writing out questions and explanations on the blackboard and even
waiting for students to copy them on their notebooks.
Also, we received positive comments from program participants,
saying that since they are now able to share a larger amount of
information, such as letters to parents, guidelines for teachers, and a
register of teachers, more quickly with far more numbers of people than
before, they have become confident about information distribution.
In addition, regarding development of the educational environment, we
discovered that 60 schools in the target area organized “children’s groups.”
Under this system, children aggressively participate in discussions concerning
the improvement of their schools, local issues facing the community and
other items of interest. Going forward, we will place more focus on the
establishment of a framework for school improvement and a network among
adults in the community including the school management committee, while
supporting information sharing by making effective use of the duplicators.
By March 2014, the target month for achieving the program’s goal, we
aim to fully realize real improvement in the quality of classes and independent
and sustainable efforts by local residents in the community to enhance the
educational environment, which enables as many children as possible to keep
going to school.
Obtaining valuable marketing information
specific to each area
As the program progresses, we are obtaining more and more valuable
information which will be key for us to conduct business operations
locally. For example, we have learned about the challenges that are
faced specifically in rural areas located far from urban cities, including
for example, the high possibility of damage to duplicators installed at the
facilities due to attacks by rats, and poor supply channels for paper refills.
Another achievement is the relationship we have built with personnel
from educational bodies and governmental organizations. By using these
connections as our footing, we can conduct product promotion and public
relations activities.
Taking into account the recent passing of the Right to Education Act
(RTE Act) by the Indian parliament in 2009, it is expected that education-
related markets in India will expand into rural villages, thus realizing
government efforts to promote compulsory education and improve
educational standards in the country. At the same time, the Ricoh Group
is intending to build a local community-oriented business model for
providing products and services that will contribute to the resolution of
social issues faced by communities by leveraging expertise gained through
our synergy and these project activities.
Initiatives led by Ricoh India
In the local area, duplicator penetration is very low; only
government offices and major private schools have them. But since
teachers have evidently been able to use time more effectively and
prepare more tests and teaching materials using Ricoh’s duplicators
donated under the program, we were able to demonstrate the
benefits of the duplicators to the government.
Regarding sales activities in a region such as the district
concerned, through the program, we discovered that it was important
to coordinate with local bodies and the state government to create
needs for our products, and to offer products which address region-
specific issues including power cuts, low cost and easy availability of
supplies such as ink and toner.
We also know through surveys that recent customers tend to
choose products from a company that engages in CSR activities.
Encouraged by these reports, we will communicate Ricoh’s
initiatives and achievements to our customers.
Collecting valuable information to be utilized to develop
new customer demand and cultivate local markets
nterview
I
Sanjeev Mehta
Executive Manager
After Market Planning
Ricoh India Limited
Ricoh’s Education Support Program in India www.ricoh.com/csr/india_edu/
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