How can your business make a lasting impact through corporate social responsibility?

Making a real difference with our business started with figuring out our purpose. It was about more than just profits; it was finding what values drive us and how we can help the world. This purpose guided our actions and made our social efforts meaningful and aligned with who we are. Putting this purpose at the heart of everything, from our products to our partnerships, made our social responsibility feel genuine. It showed everyone that we’re serious about making a positive impact. For me, finding our purpose was the key to not just doing good things, but doing the right things for the right reasons.

Initiate and integrate a working community relations program into your larger business strategy plan. If you can't hire a person to own it, have your communications or PR team lead its function. Too many times, this falls on HR's lap, and it just shouldn't. Your comms folks know your audiences and how they relate to your mission better than anyone. They are constantly in tune with what communities say about you and if they relate to issues you identify as important. Please listen to them to figure out where to direct your CSR energies. What comes from it will mean more: create a lasting impact through relationships and stories made and told, build trust, enhance that stakeholder list, manage reputations, and help nurture them.

Ensure that your CSR efforts are in line with your business objectives and purpose. Make sure that your company's mission, values, and areas of expertise are in line with its CSR efforts. This alignment boosts your brand's credibility and ensures long-term success.

Innovate for Social Good. Utilize CSR to address social issues. This can include creating new products or services to meet social needs, using technology to improve CSR initiatives, or encouraging community social innovation.

CSR plays a crucial role for any company. Firstly, understand the ethos of the company and reservation on the industry and competition Set a goal for yourself and the organization Chart a clear roadmap for CSR program,with a clear vision of expected impact

Every company is (or should) be talking about how they can make a societal and/or environmental impact. I am sure it has been a topic at many staff retreats and board meetings. Every company is going to have the capacity and the ability to do it differently; there is no right balance of effort and tactics. One thing should never deviate, though, and that is the authenticity of their contribution. Commit to what you can do. The authenticity of it will make the output and the outcomes seamless.

For about 12 year CSR has been addressed in almost EVERY company. Many have embraced it, albeit to varying degrees. Some utilize CSR in conjunction with their PR (like building bicycles for underprivileged children at Sales Incentive Trip to Costa Rica. These events great and they offer some feel good vibe for the team. Other companies develop full campaigns that deploy CSR activities like a marketing campaign. Even better. But, companies designated as B Corporations take it further. B Corps use a "Triple Bottom Line"- 'People, Planet, Profit. All these priorities are to be in balance, and these companies do not simply focus ONLY on making a profit. Lasting impact of CSR is tied directly to the effort an organization puts into.

Tell stories and be authentic to share your CSR efforts and impacts with stakeholders. Communication builds emotional connections, raises awareness of issues, and shows your business's commitment to making a difference.

Make sure your CSR is implemented well into your business processes and HR. Avoid "greenwashing". Involve your people, not only your C-level and comms officers. Promote CSR as a notion, not only just a leverage of your brand recognition. Communicate all that! And may the CSR force be with you all!

Building upon the strategies highlighted by industry peers, the crux lies in execution. It demands discipline and a relentless pursuit to redefine what's achievable, beyond just cosmetics and optics. This steadfast commitment is the cornerstone for creating value, fostering a resilient community, and achieving impactful results – effectively bringing strategy into reality.