How to implement Corporate Social Responsibility in your business

Implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies into your business has many benefits.

Companies around the world are increasingly focusing more on doing business in a socially responsible manner – championing gender equity, investing in green technologies, increasing employee and community engagement and diversity and inclusion initiatives. 

Incorporating more sustainable and socially responsible practices not only means pursuing social and environmental gains, alongside financial gains, but it can also help bolster your company’s image and build its brand. Additionally, implementing formal CSR programs can boost morale amongst employees and improve productivity in the workforce.

Here are some tips for incorporating CSR practices into any organization.

Adopt a business code of ethics

A company’s code of ethics should outline the mission and values of an organization, how employees and management should approach any issues, the ethical principles based on the organization’s core values and the standards to which all employees are held.

As part of a CSR strategy, many companies also include a commitment to diversity and inclusion and environmentally sustainable practices.

Commit to protecting the environment

Develop clear policies and procedures outlining your commitment to maintaining environmentally sustainable practices – and implement them.

Invest in green technologies, reduce your organization’s reliance on non-renewable resources and audit your supply chain to ensure your suppliers’ practices align with your organization’s goals around environmental sustainability. To increase transparency, consider producing a report documenting the organization’s activities and the results in relation to the company’s impact on the environment.

Get certified

Many socially-minded organizations and entrepreneurs are taking things a step further and choosing to get B Corp Certified. 

B Corp Certification assesses the overall positive impact of a product or service, as well as the company behind it – measuring an organization’s entire social and environmental performance. Companies that choose to pursue B Corp Certification must complete the B Impact Assessment, which evaluates how a company’s operations and business model impact its workers, community, environment and customers – from the supply chain and input materials to charitable giving and employee benefits.

There are currently more than 3,500 Certified B Corporations in over 70 countries.

Avoid “greenwashing”

While promoting your company’s commitment to protecting the environment is a good idea and can help improve your customers’ perception of the brand, make sure you’re using fair and honest marketing techniques. 

Ensure the organization is putting its words into action. Failure to do so is considered “greenwashing” and can result in negative customer backlash.

Give back to the community

Increasingly, companies are looking to their own backyards when it comes to implementing CSR strategies. Initiatives that engage in activities that benefit the local community can include donating to local non-profit organizations, funding the construction of schools or other public facilities in low-income neighbourhoods or becoming engaged with civic issues that affect where a company does business. Corporate-sanctioned volunteer events are an emerging CSR trend that allows employees to volunteer their efforts and make a positive contribution to the community with a minimal time commitment.

Looking for more ways to incorporate CSR into your organization?

University Canada West’s online Corporate Social Responsibility micro-credential provides a foundation in the development of CSR strategies. The three-module program gives learners an overview of the importance of CSR along with a look at some of the frameworks used by the world’s largest tech, telecommunications, manufacturing, retail and mining companies. It outlines how to improve any organization’s environmental footprint, employee engagement, transparency, waste management, human rights performance, community investment and responsible supply chain management.

At the end of the course, attendees leave equipped with the tools necessary to develop inspiring initiatives and successfully implement and promote them in any organization.

Additionally, participants who complete the CSR micro-credential will qualify to take the Foundational Technologies Institute exam to receive a professional CSR designation.

For more information about UCW’s Corporate Social Responsibility micro-credential, visit ucanwest.ca/micro-credentials/corporate-social-responsibility.

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