How can CSR reporting help you stand out in your career?

CSR is about "giving" and as Anne Frank once said, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” When organizations have resources, from their own profits or from contributions of others, they have a responsibility to be accountable and transparent. Therefore, reporting becomes critical for the success of any organization. CSR impacts the social fabric of communities and hence, a combination of quantitative and qualitative reporting is always recommended. By being the "storyteller", one can shine the light on people, places, and issues. One may stand out in one's career for making make an effort to be socially responsible and make a positive impact.

CSR Reporting is a means for enterprises to reassure their stakeholders that they are doing none of them “any harm” and are also not depriving them of their ability to live comfortably and happily. This is the real intent. However, the extent to which CSR Reporting fulfils this desirable set of objectives, is directly proportional to the quality of leadership in enterprises and the kind of culture that has been created in them. In enterprises with secretive, opaque cultures, CSR reporting is nothing but a joke, and a ploy to dupe stakeholders.

In my experience, CSR reporting has become an integral part of many organizations' sustainability strategies. It not only enhances transparency and accountability but also helps companies identify areas for improvement and set meaningful goals to address social and environmental challenges. One thing I have found helpful in CSR reporting is the use of established frameworks and guidelines, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards. By implementing CSR reporting, companies can not only demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility but also gain a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing business landscape.

CSR reporting can be very useful but too often it is treated as a compliance and risk minimisation task on the core business, paired with highlights from philanthropy. It works well when looking not just as the negative impacts and challenges, but also how to share the benefits delivered by the core of the business – and the innovation opportunities this creates to reduce costs, expand offerings etc. This way reporting can join up with the exciting parts of the strategy, aligning colleagues on the changes they can and want to make, which helps create buy-in for action beyond the pure risk mindset of how to be ‘less bad’.

CSR shows that the company is interested in its community and social stakeholders. It make a company look at its environs and work beyond just monetary profits

CSR reporting is a powerful tool to elevate your social responsibility and sustainability career profile. It serves as a differentiator, setting you apart in the crowded field. It provides a platform to amplify the good work, fostering networking opportunities and securing a place at decision-making tables. You exhibit thought leadership by articulating your organization's social and environmental impacts, inspiring internal and external stakeholders. Effectively reporting CSR initiatives highlights your commitment to transparency and accountability and positions you as a key influencer in shaping sustainable business practices. It leads to personal and professional growth, opening doors to new challenges and opportunities.

One need to understand CSR reporting is more about impact and less about expenditure. The sustainable impact created under CSR program can attract every reader. Institutional capacity building and community transformation requires great efforts during these projects. As a CSR professional you learn beyond formality during this process. Once you earn trust of community your program is further taken ahead by remaining stakeholders only. If this story with the validation of community comes as a part of your reporting then it can help you to proceed in your career.

As a CSR reporter, the best way to stand out in your career is to show the leadership and insight to switch from CSR to more rigorous sustainability reporting. CSR is aligned with PR, philanthropy and community engagement programmes. These are valuable, but lack the impact of deeply embedded economic, social, environmental and governance change to drive the sustainability transition and meet the highest reporting standards like TCFD and CSRS. To shine, showcase your leadership and impact through measurable, business-critical improvements in governance, risk & opportunity management and target delivery. This puts you at the heart of the business and raises you head and shoulders above those busy with much less demanding CSR reporting.

Working for CSR project gives following edge or benefits - -Strategic skill development - Leadership skills development - Creating a cohesive culture amongst the team or organisation As we have to work in Cross functional teams, performance in this is how logical you are doing that job as per the social cause or objective you are working for. We need to drive the volunteers with non materialistic benefits... And at the end we all have mental satisfaction that we have contributed something.

GRI Standards, SASB (which no longer exists) and the newly ESRS are aimed at sustainability reporting, not CSR reporting. For CSR reporting, you can refer to ISO26000.

Identify and engage with key stakeholders to understand their expectations and concerns. Consider conducting stakeholder surveys or interviews to gather relevant information. Determine the most significant CSR issues (materiality) for your organization and stakeholders. Focus your reporting efforts on addressing these material issues to demonstrate meaningful impact. Establish a robust system for collecting data on CSR-related metrics. This may involve internal data sources, third-party audits, or surveys. CSR reporting is an ongoing process, and regular updates demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. Stay informed about evolving CSR trends, regulations, and reporting frameworks

CSR programs should be developed, built and reported in a customized way that reflects full understanding of the business and the environment it functions in. A one size approach fits all doesn't work.

A few tips regarding CSR Reporting: - To create a wider impact and acceptance, we can align it with global communities, such as how the activities are contributing towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals or how it is helping to curb plastic pollution, contributing towards the Global Plastic Treaty. - Realizing CSR is not just a responsibility but also a commitment to collectively address global social and environmental challenges