Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Why Socially Responsible Companies Get More Business

By Sebastian Troup


In a time where companies are being asked to do more with less, it can be challenging to implement changes in your business that make the shift to social and environmental responsibility. But more businesses are making those changes to do good and take pride in their workplaces, and they are seeing the return on their investment as a result. The bottom line is that social responsibility can increase your company's bottom line while making a difference in your community.

When a company goes beyond the call for adhering to ethical and legal standards in its operations, then that is what you call corporate social responsibility or CSR. Causes are being promoted whether on the local, national or global level. It may be achieved via corporate philanthropy or donating some of the business profits or resources to charity.

You can enjoy the competitive advantages through your giving program that is well-designed and executed well and these are:

Better Recognition of Company Name Increase in Brand Recognition Higher Sales and Constructive Customer Response Talented Employees to be Gained and Retained to Work for the Company Positively Affects the Living Conditions of the Community

Consumers basically choose to buy from businesses with social responsibility as revealed by research. Public relations and marketing firm Cone Communications and Echo Research in their study early this year revealed that about 90% of the shoppers are inclined to shift brands in support of a good cause even when price and quality is similar. If your business is not socially responsible you are more likely to lose customers. Still 90% of the surveyed customers are willing to stop supporting businesses with irresponsible practices.

This study is just the latest that shows companies should care about social responsibility because their customers do. It's no longer enough just to sell a good product or service. Consumers are expecting more from businesses, including real, meaningful social impact. It appears business owners are listening to these demands. Rather than tacking philanthropy onto the Public Relations department as an afterthought, more companies are trying to integrate corporate social responsibility throughout all of their operations. That commitment is showing through in the kind of jobs provided, kinds of products made, and the ways in which resources are used.

CSR is not just a marketing move but a long-term investment as perceived by companies. An example is Coca-Cola with its company 5 x 20 program aiming to bring five million women into the business as local bottlers and distributors in the developing world come 2020. By investing on empowering young women entrepreneurs Coca-Cola's revenue will be increased as more bottlers will be added and so more products will be sold. On an additional positive note this investment will result in better-educated people and consequently more well-off communities particularly in areas in need of help.

Other companies look at CSR as a way to save money. Energy efficiency is a good example. Wal-Mart has three goals of its social responsibility policy: to be fully supplied by renewable energy, to create zero waste, and to sell products that sustain people and the environment. These are lofty goals, but if achieved, they will ultimately save the company a great deal of money.




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