Developing a responsible business in the 21st century is not just about profitability but also about creating a positive social impact. As such, it is important that any business, large or small, makes a commitment to social responsibility that is multi-faceted, focusing on robust governance, workforce capability, and comprehensive supplier management.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) shouldn’t be thought of as a once and done, but a long-term journey. As such, businesses should seek to continuously identify, respond to, and manage the risks, issues and opportunities that are important to it and its stakeholders.
Ensuring Governance
A cornerstone of a social responsibility framework should be a commitment to robust governance. At POWWR, for example, we ensure that our business practices are transparent and ethical, with a rigorous governance framework that permeates all levels of our organisation. This includes a robust Supplier Management Program designed to align our suppliers with our core values. This program incorporates a comprehensive assessment process that evaluates current and potential suppliers based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. We even have an in-house Compliance Manager who is dedicated to ensuring that our partners meet our stringent CSR standards. They conduct regular audits, inspections, and assessments to provide guidance and support to partners who may need to improve their CSR performance.
Whether you have an official program or not, a business should look to incorporate CSR clauses into contracts that outline expectations for ethical conduct and social responsibility. Insist that suppliers adhere to all applicable laws and regulations while implementing measures to ensure ethical conduct in all aspects of their operations. By building long-term partnerships based on mutual respect, trust, and shared values, creates a holistic network committed to social responsibility.
Sustainability Inside and Out
Empowering the workforce is key to creating a socially responsible business environment. Invest in the continuous development of employees, reinforcing the behaviours needed for sustainability and good corporate citizenship. This not only enables agility to adapt to the evolving business world but also helps make a measurable difference through people’s commitment and skills.
There are steps that can be taken to ensure workplaces are environmentally conscious too. When making renovations, make sure to prioritise sustainable choices. Commit to reducing, reusing, repurposing, and recycling materials wherever possible. Furthermore, focus on waste reduction and energy usage in any workplaces you have to ensure environmental stewardship.
One of the most significant sustainability achievements can be to establish a 100% remote business. This can substantially reduce emissions by eliminating the need for employee commuting. Remote working not only positively impacts the environment but also promotes a healthy work-life balance for our employees.
When travel is unavoidable, commit to doing so in a manner that minimises environmental impact. Fly with CO2-conscious airlines, so that each trip is as sustainable as possible. A conscious approach to travel should reflect a broader commitment to sustainability and a determination to leave as minimal an environmental footprint as possible.
Local Community Engagement
Any CSR strategy should ideally encompass local community engagement. By partnering with local, small businesses, it not only supports the local economy but also reduces the business’ carbon footprint. By working with local businesses during our own office renovation, POWWR ensured that our sustainability efforts had a wide-reaching impact.
As you continue to navigate the complexities of corporate responsibility, it is essential to remember that a CSR plan is not a static blueprint. It is a dynamic and evolving strategy that should be woven into the very fabric of your business operations and future planning. At POWWR, we recognise that the needs of our community and environmental responsibilities are ever-changing, which is why we remain committed to regularly reviewing and updating our CSR initiatives. By maintaining an agile approach, you can ensure that your efforts stay relevant, impactful, and aligned with your core values.
Whether you are new to the concept of CSR or not, making just a few simple steps can make a big difference to not only your bottom line, but stakeholder goodwill, staff loyalty and environmental impact. Make a start today.
Article contributed by Clair Staines, Head of People and Talent, POWWR.
