Corporate social responsibility is increasingly in the spotlight as the concepts of corporate responsibility and sustainability are receiving a great deal of media attention. Trends such as better dialogue, more learning, more disaster prevention, more justice and the growing importance of Generation Z are still relevant. The future promises even more challenges and opportunities for companies, and leaders will pay more attention to this evolving global trend in corporate social responsibility:
The search for the Truth
Corporate transparency and disclosure have long been expected by stakeholders, but they are no longer enough. With half-truths, alternative facts and the social media platforms that spread obvious lies around the world, corporate stakeholders not only seek the truth, but demand it as a prerequisite for their business activities. We can expect that more attention will be paid in the future to external and third-party auditors and accountants who are charged with verifying the information that companies disclose as both transparent and accurate.
Achieving Climate Neutrality
While many companies have made great strides in reducing their carbon emissions and waste, it is not enough just to reduce the environmental impact of business activities. Now stakeholders are demanding that companies eliminate them altogether. More and more companies are using renewable energy and carbon offsets to achieve climate neutrality, and the idea of “zero waste” is increasingly being demanded in the workplace. It is to be expected that more companies will rapidly move to carbon neutrality in the coming year and make greater progress towards “zero waste”.
Keeping Pace with Employee Demands
Employees are increasingly exercising their voices and demand that their company’s management be committed to their communities and concerns. While the presidential elections in the United States and Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union are exacerbating the cultural and political differences between stakeholders, including employees, they expect more management to be encouraged to participate in local and global public policy debates and to be held accountable by their employees for their actions (or inactivity).
Purpose before Passion
Although passion remains a key factor in running businesses and public sector organisations, there is a growing recognition that passion is sometimes transitory, but goals can be permanent. The move towards creating a corporate purpose to inspire employees and win customers is a recognition that meaning can be a long-term and geographically agnostic guide behind a company’s activities and social responsibility. It is to be expected that the almost universal acceptance of sense-foundation will be seen as a non-negotiable part of any company’s public portfolio.
Are you ready for the future?
It is our honor to support you in your Social Corporate Responsibility strategy and assist you in its development and implementation with our interactive, agile approach. We know that large projects can be achieved with small steps. We would be happy to show you how you can introduce transformation and responsibility step by step.