Sometimes the task of setting up a new corporate social responsibility program can seem quite difficult. However, it can also be great if one can break down the process into some steps based on general best practices and what other companies have done and succeeded.
We've found that breaking the process down into three clear can be a great way to segment the daunting task of corporate social responsibility into something much more manageable.
Step 1: Initiate & Conceive
Whatever it is, a corporate social responsibility program can never be one that is one size fits all. When creating the program, what is important is to keep the Three Pillars of Sustainability in the front position; the People, Planet, and also Profit. What is done is to develop opportunities and many ways for the employees and others involved to connect with the program. Involve other means and opportunities at a wide scope and these are through volunteer days, traditional giving, recycling events, and even peer to peer fundraising, or assistance during disasters.
Consider taking your CSR program a step further and incorporate cause marketing into the program. Integrate your company's products within the program, and take this as an opportunity to initiate commitments to supply chains and production processes. Consider where and how it makes sense for your company to make a socially responsible and environmentally impactful investments and how to involve your company's employees and leadership in that investment.
Step 2: Commitment & Executing The Program
After the idea and all details in the CSR program are determined, it is for you to make it believable in terms of the triple bottom line results for the company. This will need to be done through assessment and the measurement of the program's impact. You need to create a link for your social responsibility program to connect with the company's final business result.
How does your cause driven program impact your company's sales, customer satisfaction, employee and brand loyalty, and market access? Prove that your program positively impacts the company reputation and the overall profitability. Track, measure, and communicate the impact that your program is making on the social, environmental, and economic factors.
Step 3: Inspire & Communicate
For a program to attain success, this program will need endorsement as well as acceptance by the top management. This corporate social responsibility program is not different from the others. The effect and success of the program have to be communicated to the top management in the organization, and this is crucial. There is the need to communicate regularly about the progress of the program and including accomplishments, and also express the program's effect on the company's triple bottom line.
Convince leadership to inspire employees and other stakeholders to make "cause" a priority, and encourage employees to participate and get each other involved. Track and share program outcomes and impact with employees, customers, community members, and program beneficiaries to build program recognition, loyalty, and momentum. The success of the program is all about inspiration and participation.
We've found that breaking the process down into three clear can be a great way to segment the daunting task of corporate social responsibility into something much more manageable.
Step 1: Initiate & Conceive
Whatever it is, a corporate social responsibility program can never be one that is one size fits all. When creating the program, what is important is to keep the Three Pillars of Sustainability in the front position; the People, Planet, and also Profit. What is done is to develop opportunities and many ways for the employees and others involved to connect with the program. Involve other means and opportunities at a wide scope and these are through volunteer days, traditional giving, recycling events, and even peer to peer fundraising, or assistance during disasters.
Consider taking your CSR program a step further and incorporate cause marketing into the program. Integrate your company's products within the program, and take this as an opportunity to initiate commitments to supply chains and production processes. Consider where and how it makes sense for your company to make a socially responsible and environmentally impactful investments and how to involve your company's employees and leadership in that investment.
Step 2: Commitment & Executing The Program
After the idea and all details in the CSR program are determined, it is for you to make it believable in terms of the triple bottom line results for the company. This will need to be done through assessment and the measurement of the program's impact. You need to create a link for your social responsibility program to connect with the company's final business result.
How does your cause driven program impact your company's sales, customer satisfaction, employee and brand loyalty, and market access? Prove that your program positively impacts the company reputation and the overall profitability. Track, measure, and communicate the impact that your program is making on the social, environmental, and economic factors.
Step 3: Inspire & Communicate
For a program to attain success, this program will need endorsement as well as acceptance by the top management. This corporate social responsibility program is not different from the others. The effect and success of the program have to be communicated to the top management in the organization, and this is crucial. There is the need to communicate regularly about the progress of the program and including accomplishments, and also express the program's effect on the company's triple bottom line.
Convince leadership to inspire employees and other stakeholders to make "cause" a priority, and encourage employees to participate and get each other involved. Track and share program outcomes and impact with employees, customers, community members, and program beneficiaries to build program recognition, loyalty, and momentum. The success of the program is all about inspiration and participation.
About the Author:
Sebastian Troup loves blogging about philantrophic solutions for businesses and non profit organizations. For more information about the importance of corporate social responsibility, or to find help setting up a corporate charity giving program, please check out the Truist site today.