Making a difference as well as a profit

Business, Environment - 09/12/2021

The number one goal in business is to make a profit. A business can’t continue without it. But nowadays, business owners have to do more than that. It’s not just about making money anymore. Businesses need to show that they’re making a positive difference to the wider community. A study by Nielsen showed that up to 66% of global consumers are willing to pay more from companies who are proactive about making a positive difference. 

They might do that by using sustainable practises like going paperless. Another is through corporate social responsibility. Businesses need to show they care about more than themselves. And it can’t be all talk. 

Here are some of the ways you can practise corporate social responsibility.

It starts with the core values

If you put making positive change at the heart of your business from the get go, best practise will follow suit. Making social corporate responsibility a priority in your business values and mission will keep you on track and hold you accountable for the future.

Remember, wanting to make a positive difference doesn’t mean sacrificing your other business goals. It’s okay to make money as well, in fact it’s needed for your business to continue! The best way to ensure you get the best of both worlds is to incorporate both goals into your core values. You’ll stay on track in terms of business and corporate social responsibility. It’s a win win.

Make a financial contribution

If it’s within your business’s budget, a great way to practise corporate social responsibility is to contribute financially to a charity or other non-profit organisation. You could also offer your services for free or offer donations of your product to charities or organisations of your choice.

Choose an organisation that means something to your and your team. You could donate for a period of time or on an ongoing basis. 

Encourage employees to get involved 

If your employees are on board, it’ll come through much more in your brand. Offer incentives for them to practise corporate social responsibility, like a monthly reward scheme, for example. 

You could also offer training, or include them in discussions about your corporate social responsibility practises. They’ll feel like a valued member of the team and will be much more likely to contribute.

Practise sustainability

Businesses worldwide are doing what they can to protect the planet. If you’re a small business, you might think you can’t make much of a difference, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Every little helps, and consumers want to see that the brands they buy from care about the environment.

Little things can make a world of difference. Try going paperless, or even paper-light. Go digital with your processes. Encourage your employees to practise sustainability in the day-to-day. Even simple reminders to switch off the lights when they’re finished in the office, or to recycle any plastics they use at lunchtime. 

Going digital is becoming the norm for businesses, but it can seem like a daunting step. Especially if you’ve never ventured into the digital world before. 

At Numero, we specialise in a number of digital accounts management systems. Going digital with your accounts could be the first step to a more sustainable business. To find out more about our services, get in touch with us today.