Being a more socially conscious business will help you in more ways than merely receiving a tax deduction for your charitable donations.
Research has proven again and again that being socially conscious can positively impact your business’s bottom line. Both customers and employees want to support organizations who respond generously to the needs of a community and to those who are socially responsible. It also fosters innovation and collaboration and can even help you obtain funding from investors.
In short, becoming a more socially conscious business not only makes the world a better place, it also can help your business thrive. Of course, saying that you want your business to give back to the community is one thing. Actually becoming more socially responsible is another.
Certainly there are many way to be socially responsible. Here are seven ways we like:
1. Create a social responsibility mission.
“Social responsibility is part of the road map of your business,” says Nikki Korn, principle of Cause Consulting, which assists businesses with improving their corporate citizenship. In other words, social responsibility should become a part of the DNA of your business that shapes your values and the everyday choices that are made by executives, managers, and employees.
An effective socially responsible mission should focus on:
- Authenticity. Half-hearted donations and charity events won’t be effective in the long-term.
- Minimizing harm. Think about how you can minimize the negative consequences of your business like reducing your carbon footprint, paying employees appropriately, and, manufacturing safe, high-quality products.
- Thinking locally. For example, your social media manager could donate their time by helping a local non-profit launch a social media marketing campaign.
- Focusing on efforts that promote passion and teamwork among your team.
- Being transparent about any setbacks that your business has experienced while becoming more socially conscious and sharing the progress that you’ve made.
2. Establish attainable goals.
Establishing a goal like ending world hunger is admirable, but that would be a massive undertaking that a small business could not realistically achieve. Even saying something like “ending world hunger,” has been said so often that it has become cliché.
Instead, take baby steps and set goals that can…