Getting started with your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be daunting for a small business!
But it is easier than you might think. This comprehensive guide will cover everything a small business owner needs to build the CSR programme of their dreams.
Table of Contents:
What is CSR and Why Is It Key to a Sustainable Business Model?
Getting Started with CSR as a Small Business
5 Affordable CSR Practices for Small Businesses
Volunteering & Philanthropy
Environmental Responsibility
Ethical Sourcing
Transparent Marketing
Recruitment Practices
Conclusion
What is CSR and Why Is It Key to a Sustainable Business Model?
A company’s CSR programme is its battery of commitments to its community, people, and environment. CSR frameworks often cover one of three areas–environment, society and governance–and they are an opportunity for businesses to both function sustainably and benefit their communities.
Having a CSR programme is a key part of having a sustainable business model; 77% of consumers are more likely to purchase products from socially responsible companies, and that trend is expected to grow.
As a small business, that can represent a significant portion of your customer base.
Sufficiently fulfilling your CSR requirements has benefits beyond just sales:
Better brand reputation;
A happier, more motivated team;
A greater potential to recruit top talent;
Lower and more sustainable operating costs.
As a small business, engaging in CSR projects helps both your community and your business!
Getting Started with CSR as a Small Business
It can be daunting to know where to begin. You may have grand visions of your company helping millions, or you may simply be overwhelmed by the thought of starting.
Regardless, change doesn't happen overnight, and there are steps you can take today to grow a CSR programme worthy of your business:
Identify what is important to your team to help discover exciting opportunities and initiatives. This lets you select programmes that align with your business needs and mission;
Identify local opportunities to make a difference. Think about the problems facing your community, and work with local community leaders to address them. Not only will this develop a deeper connection to your customer base, your business eventually will play a vital role in your community;
93% of employees believe their company should be purpose-driven. By engaging your employees and encouraging them to become CSR leaders, you will create a highly-motivated, happier, and more productive team;
Building a CSR department is one of the best ways to maximise your impact and ensure consistency and accountability. If your business does not have the resources to designate an entire department, consider including it as part of an individual’s responsibilities.
5 Affordable CSR Ideas for Small Businesses
Even if you are fully committed to building a CSR programme and have started taking steps to actualise it, you may still find it difficult to create a tangible impact.
Here are five easy initiatives that are accessible to businesses of any size!
Volunteering & Philanthropy
Volunteering for or funding local charities and community movements is an important step towards actualising your CSR programme. This helps improve your brand reputation, engages your team, and forms valuable community connections for your business.
Moreover, because most charitable organisations have established monitoring and evaluation systems, you will be primed to share your impact and articulate your CSR wins.
Reach out to Greenmyna’s team to connect with charitable initiatives in your community!
Environmental Responsibility
On average, each office-based employee will produce 166.3 kg of CO2 emissions annually – even a small team can leave a substantial carbon footprint! Luckily, there are steps you can take to minimise your office’s carbon emissions:
Switching to LED lightbulbs;
Dialing back the thermostat;
Reducing or eliminating paper usage;
Renting or buying pre-owned office furniture;
Starting an office recycling initiative.
Greenmyna’s sustainability team are experts in minimising your office’s impact.
Ethical Sourcing
Sourcing from reputable and CSR-compliant businesses means that your product will have a greater net impact. Try to source locally or from suppliers who are ethically sound; this will both yield greater insight into your supply chain and bolster your products’ social capital.
Furthermore, if your CSR initiatives align with theirs, you may open the door for some exciting collaborative opportunities!
Transparent Marketing
Giving customers a transparent overview of your business and product empowers them to make informed decisions. Not only will this improve your brand impact, you will be further incentivised to engage in ethical business practices and CSR initiatives.
Once you start to measure your CSR impact, you can also market the impact you’ve had on your community to further improve your brand image.
Recruitment Practices
Employing socially-responsible recruitment practices can help you appeal to purpose-driven applicants, grow your reputation as a conscious employer, and build a highly-motivated team.
Low-cost strategies include:
Adding CSR achievements to your recruitment marketing material;
Being transparent about compensation and benefits;
Ensuring your hiring team is aligned with your CSR.
Conclusion
There are many different ways that a small business can champion their CSR commitments! Affordable CSR practices can have a huge impact for a growing team and pave the road for greater achievements in the future.
Greenmyna is eager to help small businesses minimise their environmental impact, connect with worthy initiatives, and guide you towards a CSR-compliant, sustainable business model. Contact us to learn more, connect with experts, and explore resources that can help you on your journey.