FEATURE
CHARITABLE CAUSES, PROMOTION & PARTNERSHIP
CSR for small businesses
For a small company, adopting a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme might seem like a costly or difficult endeavour, and you may feel like you don’t have the time or the funds to commit yourself to working for a greater cause. However CSR could help your company stand out from the crowd, compete with big businesses and boost your standing. But how can a small firm adopt a CSR strategy? Business Network explores some small ways you can do your bit.
GOING GREEN Improving your eco-friendly credentials is an easy way to boost your CSR efforts. Small changes, such as going paperless, switching to low energy lighting and introducing a recycling scheme in the workplace can make a big difference. If you own and operate a fleet, consider switching to electric vehicles. It’s also important to get your staff on board; consider adopting a cycle to work scheme, distribute re-usable bottles and make sure all staff turn off equipment/electronics before leaving home for the day.
CHAMPIONING THE COMMUNITY A great way to put CSR at the heart of your company is to get involved with the local community. As a local business, it shouldn’t be difficult for you to identify what your community needs and exactly how you can use your skills and expertise to help. This might mean helping with a regeneration project
(either by offering equipment or labour), donating equipment to community centres, schools or hospitals, visiting schools and colleges to offer careers advice and information or developing local talent through apprenticeship schemes or work experience offerings. The benefits of working in the community are two-fold.
As well as providing help exactly where it’s needed, it is also an easy way to demonstrate your business expertise and show off the human face of your organisation, which can in turn help you win new business.
CHOOSE A CHARITY OF THE YEAR Choosing a charity to support for a full year is a popular option for a lot of larger firms, and it’s an easy way to concentrate your charitable efforts. First select the charity you wish to partner with – it’s a
good idea to choose one that shares your aims, or get your staff to suggest charities close to their hearts. Then, over the course of a year, you can encourage your team to take on fundraising activities, from bake sales and fancy dress
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days, to sponsored activities such as such as marathons or mountain treks – or even a bungee jump! At the end of the year, all money raised will go to your
chosen charity – and then you can start again, but this time you can support a different charity. Over the years you will have the opportunity to do a lot of good for multiple charitable organisations.
WORK WITH LIKEMINDED BUSINESSES Adopting a CSR programme is a brilliant opportunity to put your business in front of likeminded companies and forge lasting business partnerships. For example, if your organisation chooses to champion a
green initiative, you should seek to work with other firms that can demonstrate their eco-friendly credentials. As well validating your own CSR efforts, such
partnerships will offer you the chance to share best practices and reap the mutual benefits. It may also provide you with the opportunity to work with bigger organisations – increasingly, larger firms wish to work with and support only companies that can prove they are doing their part.
VOLUNTEERING You may not have the budget to make regular charitable contributions, but have you considered donating time instead? As an employee benefit, some firms are giving their staff
the option to spend a few days each year (with full pay) volunteering for a good cause, such as getting their hands dirty in a community garden, helping at a food bank or cleaning up a local park. As well as doing good, such initiatives will also help your
recruitment efforts and retain top talent. Young professionals especially seek employment with organisations that take CSR seriously, and by providing such opportunities you will also be encouraging your staff to work on their personal growth and professional development.
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