Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is no longer optional. If doubt remained, the events of the last year certainly erased the last questions. COVID-19, the social justice movement, wildfires, and Texas blizzards increase the need for corporate leadership and employee involvement in response to these crises and more.
In a March 4, 2021 article, Carolyn Berkowitz, President & CEO of the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP), explained,
“From my view as leader of an organization serving corporate citizenship professionals from more than 200 leading companies, I have seen corporations evolve their approaches and change their corporate social responsibility strategies – some because it is the right thing to do – but more certainly because future success depends on it.”
ACCP’s Winter 2020-2021 report, Making the Case for CSR, offers the following facts.
1. 89% of consumers would now switch brands based on a company’s policies and values. The public notices what business does.
2. Employees choose where they work based on CSR. 86% would accept lower pay rather than compromise on their values.
3. Corporate boards and CEOs increasingly recognize how CSR policies affect their bottom line.
4. Environmental and social governance policy is now a mainstream expectation when considering individual and institutional investments.
5. Companies are helping more. The ACCP/Rocket social survey in 2020 showed that 68% of respondents are funding new focus areas because of COVID-19.
Many millennial and Gen-Z employees now expect to have access to volunteer programs at work, and virtual access allows a myriad of impactful opportunities. More than ever, people of all ages want their work to make a difference. Volunteering programs are a clear signal corporate purposes match employee values.
Now that consumers, investors, and employees expect companies to expand their social responsibility policies, corporations must implement programs.
Fortunately, innovative companies like Revere Software already have solutions ready to help you optimize your skills-based volunteering programs.
Reinforce Culture and Values Through Employee Service
Lindsey Pollock is one of the world’s leading experts on multigenerational workplaces and the author of the bestselling book, The Remix: How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace
Pollock advocates for what she refers to as a Remix, keeping the best, “classic” workplace practices of the past while simultaneously embracing more modern and innovative approaches to work. It mixes the “old” and the “new” in positive ways.
I believe the Revere Software platform is part of this Remix. It allows you to meet your volunteer program’s needs and the requirement to streamline processes within the sustainability and human resource departments.
Of course, these changes require solutions. Our software allows you to meet many of these challenges efficiently:
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Measure the impact of the skills-based volunteering work.
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Innovate effective CSR practices that appeal to employees.
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Respond to corporate, volunteer, and nonprofit partner requirements.
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Manage the expectations of senior leadership.
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Provide benchmarking to inform internal stakeholders.
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Work within budget constraints.
You can amplify your employees’ engagement while expanding opportunities for growth in leadership skills. There are real benefits to your company, your stakeholders, and the world as you maximize your volunteers’ ability to connect with nonprofits worldwide.
As your team builds your pro bono program, it reflects your company’s culture and values. These may be related to the environment, diversity, human rights, social justice, better health, and more.
Again, the ACCP Making the Case for CSR report reminds us that 93% of employees believe corporations should lead with purpose.
Engage with your employees to identify the issues that matter to employees of all generations. Empower your leadership to increase your commitment to your skills-based volunteer program this year. You’ll be repaid not only with easier employee recruitment, increased retention, and engagement of your workforce but with the knowledge you’re making the planet a better place for us all.