Why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will make our world a better place for all

Every change begins with a vision and a decision to take action. -David Borstein

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is recognizing shared value and pursuing business goals in ways that align with the interests of a company’s stakeholders and the communities they operate in.

CSR activities enhance reputation, mitigate risks and contribute to business results.

While most businesses are engaged in some sort of CSR enhancing activities, few are able to align their efforts across the three main focus areas of these initiatives.

Focus One: Simple Giving

Corporate social responsibility functions in this focus area do not produce profits or directly improve business performance.

They can improve reputation and lead to incremental improvements over other KPIs. Examples include donations to fund community initiatives or linking employees with available-for-volunteer activities.

These efforts can generate positive PR and lead to tangible net social impact.

Focus Two: Targeted Efforts

CSR activities in this area occur within existing business models to boost social and environmental benefits in ways that improve performance. These efforts may or may not increase revenue or decrease costs.

They do help to better align corporate identity with values that lead to success. Examples include efforts to reduce waste, investments in assisting workers and plans to work closer with local communities.

These efforts allow businesses to gain positive PR, while also increasing productivity, and boosting worker retention and company reputation.

Focus Three: Transforming Possibility

CSR activities in this focus area are created specifically to address social and environmental concerns and opportunities. All efforts in this space are designed to improve business performance. Hindustan Unilever’s Project Shakti (“empowerment”) in India provides a good example.

Instead of using its customary wholesaler-to-retailer distribution model to reach remote villages, the company recruits village women, provides them with access to microfinance loans, and trains them in selling soaps, detergents, and other products door-to-door.

More than 65,000 women entrepreneurs now participate, nearly doubling their household incomes, while increasing rural access to hygiene products and thus contributing to public health.

These social gains have been met by business gains for the company: as of 2012, Project Shakti had achieved more than $100 million in sales. Its success has led Unilever to roll out similar programs in other parts of the world.

Diamond CBD, Inc. Corporate Social Responsibility in Motion

PotNetwork Holding Inc.'s (OTC: POTN) wholly owned subsidiary, announced plans to kick off its African business development strategy by co-sponsoring a series of community facing events in Kenya in with Exponential, Inc. (XPO2), a cause related marketing company founded by yours truly.

Dom Einhorn, Founder and CEO of Exponential, Inc. (XPO2) on a recent trip to Bangangte, Cameroon:

Between April 17 and 27, 2018, Diamond CBD Inc. is contributing material support and resources towards community action projects taking place across Kenya. Among the planned activities is a reforestation project in the Ngongs Hills, volunteer projects at nonprofits around Nairobi, and a range of other charitable initiatives near Mt. Kenya and other locations.

The activities planned during these 10 days are being conducted in partnership with a range of local, state and federal government officials including the Deputy Governor, Members of Parliament, Member County Assembly and Kaijado County Officials.

Diamond CBD's co-sponsorship of these events will benefit the following Kenyan nonprofit organizations:

• Friends of the Ngong Hills
• Environmental Team Kenya
• Kajiado Co. Environmental Protection & Research
• Mazingiramashinani
• Friends Of Nairobi National Park
• Elephant Center
• Kenya Wildlife Trust
• Kenya Wildlife Service
• Cara Project & Shelter
• Shelter Rehabilitation School
• Schizophrenia Society Of Kenya/Reason To Hope
• Golden Eagles
• Nyeri Deaf & Blind School
• Nyeri Hospice

These events affirm Diamond CBD's interest in placing corporate social responsibility and charitable contributions at the core of its international business development efforts.

Mutahi Munyi, XPO2 Ambassador (Nairobi, Kenya) along with a local representative of Diamond CBD:

The events planned allow the brand to position itself as a strategic partner in its attempt to protect the environment, assist those in need and support projects, which offer a clear net social impact to the people of Kenya.

The African continent is comprised of over 1.2 billion people living in 54 sovereign states and 10 non-sovereign territories. Combined, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the continent represents over $3.4 trillion.

As an addressable cannabis market, Africa represents a clear opportunity for PotNetwork Holding Inc. and its subsidiaries. In seeking to align itself with institutional stakeholders and local communities across Africa, Diamond CBD is focused on expanding its market reach and cultivate lucrative opportunities in untapped markets.

What business entrepreneurs are to the economy, social entrepreneurs are to social change. They are the driven, creative individuals who question the status quo, exploit new opportunities, refuse to give up, and remake the world for the better. -David Borstein