Corporate Social Responsibility—Good for Society, Good for Business

New or small businesses may think of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs as something belonging in the domain of larger companies, but that is not necessarily true. There are many ways that small or mid-sized companies can develop social partnerships that also make good business sense. 

Recently, the Business Council of Westchester hosted the Tompkins Mahopac Bank Power Breakfast, which featured a panel titled “Corporate Social Responsibility – Social Partnerships that Make Good Business Sense: Part II,” moderated by Jennifer Flowers, Founder and CEO of Accreditation Guru, Inc. The business council brought the CSR topic back by popular demand: in 2017, Jennifer moderated the panel “Corporate Social Responsibility Done Right,” which broke attendance records for a Power Breakfast. 

Both programs featured a distinguished panel of local business leaders and drew well over 100 attendees. Key themes discussed included factors in determining a social responsibility program that makes sense for one’s business (with a focus on small and mid-sized companies), a lively discussion about the promotion of CSR efforts and the effects that social responsibility programs have on company culture, identity and employee retention.

One issue discussed during these CSR panels was how smart partnering between for-profits and nonprofits is one way to create value for businesses and society simultaneously. Management time and resources are limited, so the greatest opportunities will come from areas where the business significantly impacts and interacts with society. Finding the right nonprofits to collaborate with will be those that benefit from your core business activities and capabilities—and that the company can benefit from in turn. Many small to mid-sized businesses choose to collaborate with agencies in their home town or county, thus focusing on impacting the community closest to them.

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Some companies approach CSR as a way to demonstrate commitment to various causes, which can improve the public image of organizations of any size. The increased media coverage that can come from corporate involvement in the community may enhance relationships with existing clients and attract new ones. Of course, there are also the intangibles—the positive changes in corporate culture that come from a workforce that feels good about what they do in and out of the office. With the visibility of actual involvement, companies large and small have the ability to improve their name and brand recognition, as well as improving the public perception of the company as a whole.

Businesses often find that having a CSR program leads to increased employee engagement. As Forbes reported in September of 2017, when Millennials are considering applying for a job, their top priority is what the company sells and/or produces.But beyond compensation and benefits, what matters most to them is the company’s work culture, involvement with causes, office environment and attention to diversity. Millennials are increasingly engaging with causes and tend to believe that companies that are committed to socially responsible causes will care about treating them well, too, thus increasing their loyalty.

At Accreditation Guru, Corporate Social Responsibility lies at the heart of what they are as a professional, service-oriented organization. Accreditation Guru is committed to providing pro bono professional services (including nonprofit governance expertise and guidance), offering financial support, and volunteering for fundraising and other sustaining events, to a variety of local nonprofit associations as a way of giving back to the community and, especially, lending a hand to those in need. The company also encourages all team members to give back and volunteer within their own communities.

In keeping with its core focus of working with human service agencies across North America, in 2017 Accreditation Guru proudly joined Westchester Companies for Kids in supporting Westchester Children’s Association, whose vision helps every Westchester child be healthy, safe and prepared for life’s challenges.

Accreditation Guru also supports theNortheast STEM Starter Academy at Mount Vernon (NSSA). NSSA’s mission is to expose at-risk students to state-of-the-art science and technology resources and provide them with inspiration and pathways for eventual careers in the STEM sector.

Never think that your organization is too new or too small to give back in a meaningful way. There are numerous opportunities and benefits to doing good for society while also being good for business. You just need to find the right fit and then get started!

Since its inception in 2009, Accreditation Guru has provided leadership and guidance to both private and public health and human service organizations throughout the United States so that they may better fulfill their own missions. This is primarily accomplished by leading organizations through a national accreditation process. Accreditation Guru provides assistance that includes an initial readiness assessment, development of accreditation-complaint policies and procedures and risk management and performance improvement programs. For more information about Accreditation Guru, please visit http://www.accreditationguru.com.