The Association of Managers of Montenegro (AMM) is the umbrella leadership and management organization in Montenegro. Through the gathering of leading companies and their leaders, its goal is to encourage the development of leadership and management, as well as the professional development of its members and the promotion of best practices. As a leading business organization in this area, it cooperates with institutions and other organizations, but also develops a strong business network in the country, region and beyond.
The president of the Association of Managers of Montenegro, Budimir Raičković, is recognized by the general public as one of the business leaders who, through active engagement, advocates for the development of the business environment and the promotion of leadership and management in the country and the region.
In his career, he performed important tasks in the state administration in the fields of security and diplomacy, and later continued in foreign corporations and entrepreneurship.
1. This year, for the first time, AMM awarded an award in cooperation with UNICEF - The best employer for children and families. Why was it important for AMM, which has been awarding prestigious awards for years, to award this one as well?
The annual award of the AMM, whose institutional sponsor is the Government of Montenegro, enjoys the reputation of the most prestigious business award at the national level, which is why we appreciated that by including the category of the award Best employer for children and families, we will additionally emphasize the importance of the support that employers should provide to parents and to children.
The affirmation of this approach and the implementation of policies and standards that enable employees to establish a balance with family obligations and obligations towards children is very significant. We are glad that UNICEF also recognized the quality of AMM's work as well as the importance of including this category among the already existing ones.
2. To what extent and how does AMM encourage its members to engage in socially responsible business?
Since its founding, AMM has been promoting socially responsible business, and in a way this principle is incorporated into the postulates of our organization's activities.
Our code of ethics takes care of respect for human rights, ethical and legal norms, environmental protection and social integrity. Most of the Association's member companies support and promote social responsibility in their operations.
We should not forget about our engagement regarding the exchange of information related to the necessity of establishing socially responsible business standards in the economy.
3. How important is it for the business of a company to have an organized CSR and how do you think it should implement these activities?
Today's business environment imposes the necessity on companies that have high development goals, to invest, that is, to act socially responsible.
The necessity lies in the fact that such companies can much better attract and retain qualified personnel and raise their reputation, and of course build quality relationships with business partners, the wider community and make a significant contribution to society.
There are a number of ways for companies to operate in a socially responsible manner. Through employee care, environmental protection, activities that contribute to social well-being, support for the local environments in which they work, as well as support for projects aimed at helping vulnerable categories, as well as projects aimed at the social and economic goals of the wider community.
The benefits of this approach are multiple. From the already mentioned reputation to increasing employee productivity and quality connection with the local and wider community.
4. Are Montenegrin managers ready to contribute to the development of philanthropy themselves?
Montenegrin managers and the companies they manage increasingly recognize the importance of philanthropic activities and the degree of their engagement in this area is increasing, because it contributes to the well-being of the community and their reputation.
One of the limiting factors is not the reluctance of managers to devote themselves to the development of philanthropy in our country, but the accumulated obligations and demands that their professional engagement often requires and deprives them of time for their family and private obligations, and therefore for sufficient and high-quality engagement in the field of philanthropy. .
However, this can be compensated through donations or support to organizations engaged in humanitarian work, as well as through support for projects that have a positive impact on the community where the managers live and work.
It is undeniable that the Association of Managers can play a significant role in initiating and encouraging leaders and managers for greater social inclusion and engagement in philanthropic activities.
5. To what extent, in your opinion, is awareness of the need for philanthropy and corporations, and how much in local companies?
It can be said that the need for philanthropy is recognized in the business sector, but the difference should be made precisely in the approach and possibilities of corporations as well as micro, small and medium enterprises, i.e. private companies operating in Montenegro. Even with corporations, there is room for further development in this area. Certainly, they have greater knowledge and recognition of the importance of socially responsible business and philanthropy, due to their financial and material possibilities and capacities, they also have a more pronounced tendency to support humanitarian and charitable projects. The problem of local companies is not a lack of recognition of this important issue or a lack of support, but the resources and budgets they have are often a limiting factor, but this does not mean that they should not look for space even in such limited possibilities.
Such action will bring them multiple benefits in a very short period of time.
All in all, it can be said that awareness of socially responsible business is growing in Montenegro, and the Association of Managers will continue to play an important role in this field as well.
