How to Do Good AND Make a Profit
With the world economic and business outlook still so uncertain, a key question is just how the businesses world can continue to do good as well as maintain their bottom line.
Over the last few years, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a buzz word, but are companies really embracing CSR because they believe in it or are they in it for entirely selfish reasons?
With the unscrupulous behavior of the major banks over the last few years, never before has it been so pertinent that business people are seen to be doing the right thing.
The pre-requisite for understanding and accepting the need for CSR and subsequently implementing it successfully is the concept of Personal Social Responsibility (PSR). PSR is all about doing to others what you would like others do to you.
Ideally a PSR aware person will:
1. Always endeavor to have a positive effect on others
2. Have a mind set to contribute
3. Refrain from causing negativity in his environment
PSR is more than just merely recycling paper or giving out money to your chosen charity. It is all about taking a firm stand and making a commitment towards giving back to society.
Reach your own PSR vision by spending some time and answering the following questions:
1. How will the world be a better place because you have lived?
2. How will the world and future generations benefit from your company’s activities?
3. What legacy are you leaving behind through your work?
4. What does Corporate Social Responsibility mean to you? What does it mean to your company / business?
5. Can companies be socially responsible and be profitable at the same time? What level of profits is acceptable to you and why?
6. If your children asked you if your business was ethical in all its activities, would you be able to look them in the eye and honestly say YES?! If NOT, what will it take for you to answer YES?
7. If there was one thing you could change about your business and its ethics policy, what would it be? When will you make this change?