How can you align BPO objectives with corporate social responsibility?

1 Define your CSR vision

Before you outsource any process, you need to have a clear idea of what CSR means for your company and how it relates to your mission, vision, and values. What are the social and environmental issues that matter to you and your stakeholders? How do you want to contribute to the sustainable development of the communities where you operate? How do you measure and report your CSR performance? Having a CSR vision will help you set the standards and expectations for your BPO partners and align them with your business strategy.

2 Choose your BPO partners carefully

Not all BPO providers are equal when it comes to CSR. Some may have a strong commitment to ethical and social principles, while others may have a poor track record or lack transparency. To ensure that your BPO partners share your CSR vision, you need to conduct a thorough due diligence process that evaluates their CSR policies, practices, and performance. You can also look for certifications, awards, or memberships that indicate their CSR credentials, such as B Corp, ISO 26000, or UN Global Compact.

3 Establish clear and consistent communication

Communication is key to aligning your BPO objectives with CSR. You need to communicate your CSR vision, goals, and expectations to your BPO partners and ensure that they understand and agree to them. You also need to establish regular and open communication channels to monitor, evaluate, and improve your BPO processes and outcomes in relation to CSR. You can use tools such as dashboards, reports, surveys, or feedback sessions to exchange information, feedback, and best practices.

4 Collaborate and innovate

Aligning your BPO objectives with CSR is not a one-time task, but an ongoing process that requires collaboration and innovation. You and your BPO partners should work together to identify and address any CSR issues or risks that may arise in your BPO processes, such as labor rights violations, data breaches, or environmental damage. You should also look for opportunities to leverage your BPO processes to create positive social and environmental impact, such as by supporting local development, reducing waste, or enhancing diversity.

5 Recognize and reward

Finally, aligning your BPO objectives with CSR also involves recognizing and rewarding your BPO partners for their CSR efforts and achievements. You can show your appreciation and support by providing feedback, testimonials, referrals, or incentives. You can also celebrate and share your CSR successes and learnings with your internal and external stakeholders, such as employees, customers, investors, or media. By doing so, you can build trust, loyalty, and reputation for both your company and your BPO partners.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?