–
There are many areas of business that get attention: business plans, growth hacking, social media marketing, etc. Another big buzzword in the business world today is “Social Responsibility”. The focus on social responsibility have been driven by millennials. The millennial generation are passionate about social causes and prefer businesses that are socially responsible. So what is social responsibility? The short definition is that it is improving the welfare of society. However, there are many ways business can be socially responsible.
1. Environmental Efforts
There are many ways businesses can get involved in environmental efforts. Reducing their carbon footprint, recycling, and making their products or operating plants more environmentally friendly. This is especially important for businesses that are perceived as not being environmentally friendly, like power plants and oil companies.
2. Ethical Practices
The government already has many laws that determine business practices, but there are still areas businesses can improve ethical practices. This can include what overseas labor they use, how much they pay their employees, improving work culture, reducing employee risk,increasing transparency, etc.
3. Volunteering
This is a great way for businesses to be social responsible because the impact can be seen by the company, the community, and the customers. It is also a great way to bring together employees and team build. There are many ways to volunteer: blood donations, can food drives, planting trees, working at a soup kitchen, cleaning up a local park, and so much more. Volunteering in an area that you business or your business’s customers are in can not only help the community, but is great marketing.
4. Donations
This is the most easiest way to give back to the community. There are many organizations, local, national and global that accept money donations from individuals and companies. A way to involve the entire company is to encourage employees to donate and have the company match those donations.
Just doing one of these methods can demonstrate social responsibility and no matter what size you business is there is a way for you to give back to your community. People nowadays are looking for socially responsible companies, whether it be to buy from or work for. So, what are you doing to help society and/or the environment?
By Ashleigh Cue
