In today’s modern world, it’s important to create policies and procedures that benefit both the company, community and society. This is known as having a Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR.
Here, we explore this topic and how any small or large business can benefit and implement CSR.
What is Corporate Social Responsibility?
Corporate Social Responsibility is a business self-regulation that aims to make the business accountable for its impact on society. Ideally, the business should try to make a positive contribution to the local community. There are many different ways to do this.
For example, some brands help tackle homeless challenges in cities, help with the environment, tackle literacy rates, improve equality, and more. Brands tend to choose two or three different projects to promote.
Some CSR policies are voluntary, but others are covered under mandatory regulations at regional, national, or international levels. Though there are some mandatory regulations, many brands will choose to exceed requirements.
Why CSR is Vital for Success
There are numerous reasons why a company should embrace CSR practices for their daily routines. For example:
* It improves the customer’s perception of the brand.
* It attracts and retains key talents for the business.
* Improves the appeal of the business to investors.
The Different Types of Corporate Social Responsibility a Business Can Participate In
There are four different areas where companies can participate in Corporate Social Responsibility. These can be described as:
Environmental Efforts
Reducing the business’ carbon footprint can be a big effort and one that doesn’t take much effort. More recycling, participating in energy-saving initiatives, or planting trees can be powerful.
Philanthropy
Businesses can donate wealth, products, services, or time to social causes or nonprofits. Larger companies tend to have numerous resources to help local or national good causes improve their appearance. For example, some grocery stores will donate excess food supplies to wildlife charities, homeless charities, zoos, and others.
Ethical Labor
There are lots of ways that ethical labor can be incorporated into a business, from equality in the workplace to ensuring rights for employees in other parts of the world (fair trade, etc.).
Volunteering
Participating in local good causes and volunteering projects can be critical to the local community. Some companies run a soup kitchen, books for toddlers, or host fundraising events for local charities.
Building Your Socially Responsible Business
While startups and small companies don’t have significant financial wealth to help them deliver large amounts of wealth, small local businesses can make significant differences in the local community. So all local businesses should start small and look for local good causes that they can contribute to.
It is also important to remember that while you might only contribute 5-10% of the required funding, resources, or time for a good cause, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t another 10 or 20 companies who are willing to add the same amount. Together, the needs of the good cause have been met.
But with any CSR plan, any project must be close to the brand’s goals, ethical viewpoint, and long-term goals. It is no good for the business to start a CSR plan helping children to read if they’re providing care services to the retired.
All planning for any projects should be taken with the involvement of employees. All discussions should be transparent so that everyone knows that there are no strings attached. Customers might also like to be involved in some discussions.
Top Tips for Creating a Socially Responsible Business Model
Several tips can help businesses to create a Socially Responsible Business. These are as follows:
1. Don’t Choose Unrelated Initiatives
It’s important to consider all the initiatives based on their connections to your core business focus. Be sure that none violate your company’s ethical standards in any way.
2. Keep CSRs Focused on Community
One of the big problems for some brands is using charitable efforts as a marketing ploy. CSRs should never be used for marketing purposes; they are an extension, and the good work should speak for itself.
3. Don’t Wait
Ensure that if you want to do a sustainable activity, but it isn’t law yet, to do it. It ensures you have the moral higher ground and are ahead of the curve when legislation does come in.
4. Get Certifications
While many companies can and do self-assess, there are third-party companies that can rate CSR efforts and these add a little more credibility to the efforts.
Final Word: What is Corporate Social Responsibility?
Corporate Social Responsibility is a good practice for many organizations to ensure they are having a positive impact on the world. Choose and run the CSR that aligns with your needs carefully.