This led to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, reduced loss of employees to AIDS, and higher morale in the work force. As a result, many families kept their breadwinners, and many children still have their parents. But of course, the contribution of business to the fight against AIDS goes far beyond the individual workplace. Silence and stigma drive the virus underground and fuel its spread. Speaking up helps to halt it.
Business people are respected leaders in their communities.
You can encourage action by all sectors of society, and particularly by your peers in other companies. You can use your skills and assets in marketing and communications, through product packaging and through advertising. You can help build the logistic expertise and the capacity needed to deliver supplies of prevention and care materials. You can offer your expertise in public affairs, human resources, and corporate strategy planning, to help AIDS service organisations and community groups, which are in the front line in the fight against the epidemic, and desperately need these skills. You can also adopt sector-specific approaches.