Good CSR Practice
In many cases your business may already be engaging in good CSR practice without realising it. Below are some examples of CSR you might be doing, but not maximising the benefits.
Do you?
Ensure fair relationships with your suppliers including payment terms and fair prices. Select sustainable raw materials where possible. Research labour conditions in any raw material production and manufacturers you deal with and avoid doing business with unethical organisations.
Indulge in honest communication and do not target inappropriate customers or encourage inappropriate consumption.
Invest the appropriate amount in human resources training and development to include appraisal systems, flexible working policies, and provision of opportunities for young people. Encourage employees to undertake volunteer work.
Have product responsibility, providing products that are fit for purpose, safe to use and dispose of. Provide clear information about product composition and handling and look to improve products with better efficiency and lower environmental impact.
Simple CSR Checklist
Once you have established what CSR practices you are already delivering and where you are lacking, it is important to consider a few things before jumping into a large scale CSR campaign.
1. Be honest
Your customers know the economic climate takes its toll on us all and will understand if you slow down your march to ethical perfection when times are tough. Don’t be tempted to `green wash’ your business. Be honest or you risk embarrassing exposure.
2. Think long-term
One campaign does not constitute an entirely ethical business. When putting CSR strategies in place ensure they are long-term and feasible; not short-lived, unrealistic or a token gesture.
3. Communicate what you can manage
Ascertain how much you can invest in CSR and once you have put initiatives in place, ensure your key stakeholders know about them. It is crucial employees, existing and prospective customers know you are doing what you can. Your brand might be dedicated to CSR, but your customers won’t feel that if you don’t tell them and your employees don’t deliver it.
Good Examples of CSR
By show casing some of the really great CSR projects within South Essex we hope that it will encourage more businesses, charities and volunteer organisations to become involved and see the benefits that Connect South Essex can offer in the delivery of partnerships and the setting up of good CSR practices.