It can sometimes seem a bit overwhelming to set up a new corporate social responsibility program. Fortunately, the process can be broken down into some simple steps based on general best practices and what has worked well for other companies.
If you can separate the many tasks and goals into three stages, this can be a very good way to break down the momentous work of corporate social responsibility into things more easily manageable.
Step 1: Initiate & Conceive
It is not a one size fit all type of program, this corporate social responsibility program. The three pillars of sustainability should be always placed in the front and these are People, Planet, and Profit, and this should be done when creating the program. Employees and other people involved should be able to connect with the program, and opportunities and other ways should be done for this. These ways can include volunteer days, the tradition of giving; recycling events and peer to peer assistance, and also assistance in times of disasters, and these are opportunities to be done across a wide scope.
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: Implement & Commit
Once the concept and details of the CSR program have been determined, it's up to you to prove its value in terms of triple bottom line results for your company. This requires assessing and measuring your program's impact. Develop a link between your social responsibility program and your company's business results.
You need to assess how your cause driven program has affected company sales, effect on customer satisfaction, effect on employee and brand loyalty, and also market access. You need proving that the program has impacted the company reputation and also company profitability. You need to follow, measure, and also communicate on this effect of the program on the social, environmental, as well as all economic factors.
Step 3: Inspire & Communicate
Endorsement and acceptance from the top level management have to be acquired, and this is essential for a corporate program to succeed. This is no different from the other programs also. The need for the top management to be informed is crucial, thus the results and successes of the program have to be communicated to them. The program's effects on the company's triple bottom line have to be communicated to them, and this should be on a regular basis, informing them of the program's progress and also other undertakings.
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.
If you can separate the many tasks and goals into three stages, this can be a very good way to break down the momentous work of corporate social responsibility into things more easily manageable.
Step 1: Initiate & Conceive
It is not a one size fit all type of program, this corporate social responsibility program. The three pillars of sustainability should be always placed in the front and these are People, Planet, and Profit, and this should be done when creating the program. Employees and other people involved should be able to connect with the program, and opportunities and other ways should be done for this. These ways can include volunteer days, the tradition of giving; recycling events and peer to peer assistance, and also assistance in times of disasters, and these are opportunities to be done across a wide scope.
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: Implement & Commit
Once the concept and details of the CSR program have been determined, it's up to you to prove its value in terms of triple bottom line results for your company. This requires assessing and measuring your program's impact. Develop a link between your social responsibility program and your company's business results.
You need to assess how your cause driven program has affected company sales, effect on customer satisfaction, effect on employee and brand loyalty, and also market access. You need proving that the program has impacted the company reputation and also company profitability. You need to follow, measure, and also communicate on this effect of the program on the social, environmental, as well as all economic factors.
Step 3: Inspire & Communicate
Endorsement and acceptance from the top level management have to be acquired, and this is essential for a corporate program to succeed. This is no different from the other programs also. The need for the top management to be informed is crucial, thus the results and successes of the program have to be communicated to them. The program's effects on the company's triple bottom line have to be communicated to them, and this should be on a regular basis, informing them of the program's progress and also other undertakings.
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 info about the importance of corporate social responsibility, or to find help setting up a corporate charity giving program, please go to the Truist website today.