B.E.S.T. Trip Ever!
Posted on March 28th, 2010.
NorthWood Church recently welcomed a group from the Hanoi Young Business Association (HYBA) on a Study Tour of companies in the the Dallas-Fort Worth area. “BEST” members (Business Elite Social Trust, a select group from within the HYBA) were introduced to the Corporate Social Responsibility programs at DFW companies. A few members of the Study Tour share their memories.
Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Branch Director, PG Bank
What was the most interesting or useful thing you learned about CSR from the trip? That an organization or company that wants sustainable growth needs to create a favourable and good work environment for its employees, and also must build a good relationship with the community through social activities.
What are some highlights of the trip? Attending there NorthWood church service, which had a few thousand believers.
What was your favourite meal? A hamburger for lunch in Dallas where we also got our picture taken with the Deputy Sheriff. Also cookies in the Media room at Becky’s house.
Did the Study Tour change you in any way? It made me think about being a Servant Leader in my life and at work.
What is your overall impression of the trip? America is a very strong country with strong infrastructure. It has huge companies and educational systems that are excellent and also maintain traditional and humanitarian values.
Mrs. Vu Thi Thoa, General Director, Highway 4 Restaurants
What was the most interesting or useful thing you learned about CSR from the trip? Awareness and education about safety standards and regulations in the workplace, especially at Range Resources and Peerless Manufacturing. Also to see that staff were given a handbook describing CSR purposes and values, which shows that CSR begins at the staff level and is not just something that upper management is interested in. Also seeing recycling and use of locally available products to reduce unnecessary costs, for example at Becky French’s company.
What are some highlights of the trip? Mike Richardson and Charlie Perry were extremely friendly and warm-hearted. They were always cheerful and happy even though there some cultural differences, and they were always nice to our delegation. Also NorthWood Church: the building is very modern and beautiful. It helps people keep their faith in their kingdom while also respecting other religions.
What was your favourite meal? Beef pho at Pho Hung Restaurant and fried chicken at Babe’s. Lunches at Austin Commercial and at Peerless Manufacturing were also very memorable.
Did the Study Tour change you in any way? YES! IT DEFINITELY DID! I want to impact my friends. I want to share what I learned on this trip about how to love people – especially the disadvantaged – and about how to care for the environment.
What is your overall impression of the trip? American people and American culture.
Le Thanh Hang, Deputy CEO, HACO Group
What was the most interesting or useful thing you learned about CSR from the trip? You don’t need to go far away to do CSR, you can just practice it right in your company by taking care of your staff, sharing with people who are close and around you and treating people the way you want to be treated.
What are some highlights of the trip? The worship at NorthWood Church with many people singing and the love story given by the pastor. And helping to clear out all the Wii Systems at Best Buy!
What was your favourite meal or favourite kind of food? Vietnamese noodle (Pho) in Texas as well as fried chicken at Babe’s Restaurant.
Did the Study Tour change you in any way? If so, how? I will practice CSR in my company and will happy to be the bridge connecting HNEW (the Hanoi Network of Entrepreneurial Women) and GVI, especially with Women’s Career Network FW.
What is your overall impression of the trip? The kindness of all GVI members.
Nguyen Tri Dung, General Director, Hung Viet Company
What was the most interesting or useful thing you learned about CSR from the trip? Since the trip I’m aware that CSR can be implemented fruitfully in any level, at any time and in many ways. It’s mostly just a matter of needing to trigger people’s concern and awareness.
What are some highlights of the trip? One of the best memories that I have is seeing so many children at NorthWood Church singing and laughing during the worship. The environment is good for child education.
What was your favourite meal or favourite kind of food? Texas beef is good, and I like Judy’s pudding too.
Did the Study Tour change you in any way? If so, how? One of the most important thing I got from tour is that now we have more good friends (and brotherhood) and we may develop the friendship to bring more to society.
What is your overall impression of the trip? The trip is one of the most impressive trips abroad for me. I will definitely suggest others to have similar one in the future.
LUU BA LONG, CEO Trade-Business International Communication
What was the most interesting or useful thing you learned about CSR from the trip? I saw that all CSR activities seem to be implemented everywhere in the US, especially Texas. People and entrepreneurs regard CSR activities as their strategy of doing business and their way of living to make society better.
What are some highlights of the trip? My best memory is having good dinners with my wonderful host family (Mr. Charlie and Ms. Carla Perry) in the evenings, learning from their stories about Texas and US people. Also talking with Sir Bob Roberts [Bob, I didn't know you had been knighted! - editor] and his wife about the history of NorthWood church and reading what he wrote about the church, GVI and Vietnam, and seeing many children going to the church, singing excitingly and worshipping respectfully.
What was your favourite meal? I like Texas beef tips & rice, chicken & rice and pistachio salad that Mrs Carla cooked for me. Ms Carla gave me some recipes of the special meals that she cooked for me. I will cook them for my family and friends in Vietnam.
Did the Study Tour change you in any way? If so, how? I learnt a lot from the trip. Notably, the trip has helped me change my way of thinking socially, together working enthusiastically, loving more people, enjoying happiness amongst people and giving more to develop the society. I believe that what have learnt from the trip will be helpful for my future business.
What is your overall impression of the trip? I have travelled to some parts of the world for study tours but this trip is the best ever that I have taken so far, in terms of fruitful CSR knowledge learnt and best friends that I met.
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