There has been much debate over the past decade on the advantages and disadvantages of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), What is Corporate Responsibility its place in business and value to general society, particularly in light of the James Hardy asbestos claims and the heightened exposure to global warming. As the Managing Director of a medium-sized Community Services Organisation that gains the majority of its funding from the Local, State and Federal Governments, we understand the importance of CSR to our organisation as well as to you
community and your business. The importance to your business:
`Enhances Branding
- Increases brand reputation and image
- Increases community trust and desire for a product or service associated with a higher cause
- Improves customer loyalty
- Increases employee loyalty, commitment and morale
- Improves culture within the organisation
'Tax
- Advantages by reducing your tax liability, both business and personal
'Personal significance
- Feeling of making a difference
- Significance rather that just success
- Increases Satisfaction
'Do good
- Success
- Builds your business and long term success
'A strategic approach to support
- Stops those annoying phone calls that ask for donations
The importance to your community:
- Creates sustainability and community growth
- Develops a better social fabric and ethical basis in which to do business
- Creates a better community to live, work and learn
The importance to our organisation: 'Allows us to do what we do
- Allows the specialist to do what they do.
- Sets us up to be more effective
- Allows the community organisations to focus on their task
Corporate Social Responsibility is about a commitment to the community in which a business operates. CSR is an important contributor to long-term business success and should be viewed in a strategic business sense rather than with a “feel-good” approach.
While corporate philanthropy for its own sake has a place, a well-defined and effective CSR campaign identifies and addresses issues that impact on both the company and the wider community. Give to the community that gives to you makes good sense.
Just as strong families create strong communities, strong communities create a strong business environment which, in turn, helps create a strong nation. CSR is the responsibility of all corporate Australia, including medium and small local business and it extends to each individual within our society. To achieve a broad and long term effect in creating a better community and business environment, partnering and balance are the keys.
CSR is definitely a friend and all round nice guy