Corporate social responsibility, or CSR, is the general idea that businesses should be more than the products or services they sell. CSR is a way your business can address issues first hand, from your company’s social, economic and environmental impact, to how your business is helping fight for human rights and against animal cruelty.
Why does CSR matter?
Consumers and employees are demanding more from the companies they do business with or work for. They are placing more importance than we’ve ever seen before on the role that corporations should play in addressing—and hopefully advancing—social and environmental change.
What does the CSR movement mean for your business?
It means it is imperative that you show, not just tell, your employees and customers alike what your business is doing to purposefully fulfill your CSR goals, while still meeting your financial goals. It’s a delicate balance, but one that can bear fruit in the short and long-term.
Your CSR initiative: What does it look like?
The first step in this process is to determine what social and/or environmental issues your company culture aligns with.
In addition to finding issues that connect with your culture, you also need to consider the impact your business has in relation to your social and environmental responsibility, whether in your community or globally. Look no further than companies like The Body Shop and their “Forever Against Animal Testing” initiative. In an industry that is fraught with animal testing (not to mention that 80 percent of countries don’t have laws against animal testing), they took a stand based not only on their culture, but also on how their business directly impacts animals.
Spreading the word about your CSR
Companies are rewarded for investing in corporate social responsibility, and the upside is not only real, it’s quantifiable. The best way to maximize this reward is to make the most of your CSR messaging. This means leveraging your CSR initiative and spreading the word to your customers, employees and communities to foster tighter relationships and more loyalty to your business.
It’s okay to brag about the good things you’re doing. But there’s a right way to go about it. For more information on CSR initiatives and how to promote them, give us a call. We’re passionate about businesses that are passionate about making a real change in the world.