We are all responsible as citizens of the world to make our home a better place. Perhaps now more than ever we are concerned about the issues we see around us and determined to do our part to make changes. Especially after this past year of social justice issues coming to life, our society is not afraid to stare our global and systemic problems down and prepare to alter the future in a positive way.

Phrases surrounding our collective responsibility are circulated in our vocabularies, but we may not understand the meaning behind the terms that have gained traction. What is social responsibility, for example, let alone corporate social responsibility?

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels Simply understood, social responsibility refers to each person’s role, and even more so our collective obligation to contribute to a better world through our actions and impact. The various aspects of social responsibility are environmental, philanthropic, ethical, and economical. Attributed together, these four core ingredients are believed to be the solution to actually making a difference in our world and society. However, that doesn’t mean you have to be able to significantly contribute to each category in order to make an impact. Even the smallest effort, if put in by everyone, leads to the same result.

But with great power comes great responsibility, as goes the ancient adage, which means that corporations with the capability to lend a stronger hand are responsible to do so. This is what their consumers expect of them, so customers want to hear exactly how the businesses they follow are contributing to the future. Small businesses, too, although not as powerful as their larger counterparts, should embrace their corporate social responsibility in at least one of the four key areas of change. Not only does it show the business’s core values and desire to do their part, but let’s be honest–it helps create brand loyalty because customers respect effort.

With the areas of environmental, philanthropic, ethical, and economical needs, it may seem almost too expansive to know where to start, which is why we have reached out to small business owners who are giving back to their communities and greater audiences to find out their recommendations for how other small businesses can embrace their social responsibility too.

Reduce and Offset Your Environmental Footprint

“Small businesses should use their growing reach and influence to give back to their world, and still do their best to reduce their environmental impact. Not only should you aim to reduce your environmental footprint but you should also offset the inevitable impact you are making on the earth. Reducing your impact comes down to simple but effective methods you can take to be more eco-conscious, such as through steering clear of single-use plastics, packaging your goods in compostable wrapping, cutting back on water wasted in product development, and cutting back on electricity. The last measure can be done through installing a motion sensor light system at your office, or, in these days of remote work, maybe even considering going without the office building at all. Then, offsetting your impact is giving back to the environment through good works that help keep the planet clean. You can make a difference through something as simple as donating to green causes, or conducting tree planting and inviting your customers to join in with their funds or time. It was the famous physician Dr. Thomas Fuller who said ‘He that plants trees loves others besides himself.’ We should take these words to heart and make an effort to care for the others we share the planet with,” says Nick King, CEO of Vint.

Commit to Eco-Conscious Packaging

“Through social listening, which is the act of listening on social media platforms to what the people engaging with your brand are saying they like or dislike about the way you are doing things, I have come to realize that one of the things businesses do that most upsets their consumers is not be mindful of their packaging. Especially with health and beauty products, where the items are often small but prone to breaking when shipped, customers express frustration at the large amount of protective packaging their products arrive in just for them to throw it immediately away in an effort to reach the product underneath. The whole point of social listening is to respond to your audience’s preferences, but the good thing is that eco-conscious packaging is a priority for us at Bite Toothpaste as well, and has played a significant role in the development of our products. Over a billion plastic toothpaste tubes get thrown away on a yearly basis, and unfortunately, a huge percent of plastic ends up in the ocean. We are committed to only using sustainable packaging, including envelopes, glass, and cardboard, and we are proud to be an entirely 100% plastic free company. It takes a little extra effort to go the extra mile, but why should sustainability be considered ‘extra’? The effort is so worth it to help save our planet, and I truly think it is something every business should be committed to,” says Lindsay McCormick, Founder and CEO of Bite.

Define Your Mission and Demonstrate Its Importance

“When I first entered the corporate world, doing good and making money were seen as separate and contradictory threads. Challenging that notion set my career—and life—on a new course. I’ve come to recognize that social purpose must be embedded into the core DNA of a company. The questions ‘Why do we exist as a company’ and ‘How do we make a difference’ need to have the same answer.

“Building—or re-engineering—a company around a central mission isn’t easy. I’ve found, however, that leaders can overcome this challenge by clearly defining the mission and why it matters, demonstrating how it will inspire and guide your company’s everyday actions and detailing how it will create value and unlock growth opportunities. And when a company executes well with a clearly-defined social purpose, you will find employees more willing to rally around and advocate for your company’s mission, and shareholders and other constituents will accompany you on your journey.

“I believe that companies that have the opportunity to improve the lives of their customers and communities have the responsibility to do so. When you focus solely on valuation and market share, you win some and you lose some. When you focus on the needs of your customers and help them achieve their dreams, you win every time,” says Dan Schulman, CEO of PayPal.

Aim to Become a Benefit Corporation

“Most, if not all of us, have the heart to make a positive impact in our world, but it can be really difficult to know where to start. Or, to feel as though your impact would be too small to make a difference. But the truth is that every and any action taken on anybody’s part that tries even a little–it matters. It matters immensely. Social responsibility refers to environmental, philanthropic, ethical, and even overall economical impacts, so it’s pretty impossible not to find something within those realms to do as a contribution. The idea that businesses of all sizes have a corporate social responsibility on top of the workers’ individual social responsibility is one I really believe in. At Emjay, we want to make our company’s processes from start to finish be safe, affordable, and transparent, because we maintain that high quality brand experiences help make the world better. But we don’t want to stop there. A really great place for individuals or small businesses to start is to give back parts of your proceeds to support those in need or a cleaner future, and to engage in charity work. Your goal as a business should be to have your company become a Benefit Corporation, or B Corp, which certifies that you are living up to the highest standards of benefiting society on a whole. It is within your realm, you just have to start,” says Chris Vaughn, CEO of Emjay.

Support Refugees and Immigrants

“I always do my best to encourage everyone to support those in need because I have a special place in my heart for those who have had to start from scratch in a new and unfamiliar country, such as refugees and immigrants; I have personally seen the impact that such charitable efforts bring to life. Pori Jewelry was born 33 years ago by three partners from Syria, immigrants from The Middle East. They relocated to New York City in pursuit of the American Dream, bringing not much more than their love of fine metals and jewelry with them. With these roots, a big heart and mission I share with my business is the desire to offer support to those with big dreams but little resources. Many immigrants feel a sense of hopelessness at having to leave their lives behind to start over somewhere new, and often experience cultural and language barriers, economic strife (sometimes in stark contrast to their situation in their home country), and no one to believe in their hard work, drive, or experience. It is especially challenging for refugees who also have to mourn their previous home. Part of social responsibility includes looking out for those around us, so if you do not know where to begin, I recommend reaching out to a refugee agency to find what their needs are,” says Jack Gindi, CEO of Pori Jewelry.

Choose Ethically Sourced Materials

“Businesses can embrace their corporate social responsibility through using high quality ethically made materials. Fashion brands have a wide range of fabrics and materials they can select, some of which are more environmentally friendly than others, and with the production of materials come production and manufacturing teams. Do your part by only using high quality, ethically sourced fabrics, and treat your workers well, the way they deserve. Never partner with exploitative and unethical businesses or manufacturers. Fully research your sourcing options to find whether they have any practices you don’t agree with. At Andar, we live this out by creating handcrafted goods with only the highest quality materials that are made with love and care by people who believe in quality and design,” says Eric Elggren, Co-Founder of Andar.

Be Good to Your Workers

“Social responsibility often starts with people, because everyone deserves to experience ethical treatment and fairness in their lives and at work. It may seem like a small role, but make sure your employees are making good, livable wages and offer them as much flexibility and benefits as you are able. We’ve all had a couple rough last few years, so it is important to be understanding that now more than ever your workers may need added flexibility and support from their workplace. Do everything you can to make your business a good place to work. Also, another important social responsibility is to ensure that all organizations and source materials you work with follow the same practices of ethical treatment for workers, fair pay, and the development of quality products that do not negatively impact the environment,” says William Schumacher, Founder and CEO of Uprising Food.

Give Back to Your Community

“At Readers.com, we believe it is important to give back to the community whenever and however we can so we have implemented numerous measures that support philanthropic aid. Each year our team members receive two Volunteer Time Off days, or VTOs, to spread happiness beyond our four walls through the organizations of their choice. Along with encouraging our team to have the desire to contribute to society, we also want to stand clear about our heart for others, so we partner with non-profit organizations whose missions focus on vision correction and eye health; in this way, we hope to make a bigger impact than we could on our own. And to keep with the spirit of giving, we have established two pairs of reading glasses for a cause: The Timmy by Timmy Global Health and The Visionary by RestoringVision. Each style has a charitable component with every purchase. Engaging in your social responsibility can be as simple but impactful as holding yourself accountable for showing kindness and giving your time to others who are less fortunate. I encourage small businesses, and large businesses alike, to incorporate charitable efforts into their business model because it sets a strong example for your team and establishes your collective mission to make a difference,” says Fred Gerantabee, Chief Experience Officer of Readers.com.

Outline and Live By Your Business’s Code of Ethics

“Your business needs to have a code of ethics it lives by and refers to. New and existing employees should be thoroughly trained in your code and not brought onboard if they are not fully committed to your mission. Your code of ethics defines and represents the heart and values of your company, outlining the map for every step you take. Therefore, you need to be clear about what those values are and how you aim to make the world, starting with your office and your customers, a better place. Also, when you are open and committed to what you hold valuable, every business or person you engage in collaborative efforts with–be it a supplier or a social media influencer, also should align with your principles. Social responsibility is owed by all of us, so you should engage in good works because you care to, but you can also be clear on the fact that your followers and consumers will notice and appreciate your social efforts, which is certainly an added benefit,” says Rabah Rahil, CMO of Triple Whale.

Use Clean Ingredients

“It is important for businesses to mind their environmental impact, even small or start up businesses. At Azuna we are focused on both our customer’s health and wellness and our environmental effect. As an antimicrobial odor eliminator, our products clean and neutralize the air against common pollutants such as mold, bacteria, fungus, and mildew to lead to better health for our consumers through cleaner air. And because we use natural Australian tea tree oil, our products are non-toxic and free from those harmful additives and chemicals that negatively impact humans, animals, and the planet. We know that we have created the most effective way to live free and clear of dirty air, without the harmful ingredients released by products that simply mask odor. We are committed to providing clean and healthy solutions to odor problems. Every business can take similar steps to remove harmful synthetics from their products, and I promise, it will make a big impact” says Phillip Montalvo, Director of Marketing of Azuna.

Make a Change in the World–In Your Communities and Customers’ Lives

“While we certainly started as a boot company, Timberland has always been driven by a greater purpose. Back in 1973, we didn’t just create a waterproof leather boot… we equipped outdoor workers to get things done in the harsh New England environment. Today, we define our purpose as a commitment to equip and inspire the world to step outside, work together and make it better. Whether that comes to life as reducing the impact of our products, creating green spaces in cities, or supporting communities around the globe, this underlying purpose will guide us into the future. And it’s not just us doing this on our own; we will focus on engaging our consumers in the journey, and truly building a community around the notion of making it better.

“One big piece of our commitment to ‘make it better’ is supporting underserved communities – not just here in the U.S. but around the world. Timberland employees get paid time to volunteer (and we’ve served more than one million hours to date, and counting). This often comes to life through service projects in city neighborhoods that need it most. Beyond supporting and strengthening communities, our commitment to service has also proven good for business, in terms of creating a highly engaged and passionate culture. We hear time and again that our culture of service is what often attracts people to join – and stay with – the Timberland brand.

“Today’s generation is highly engaged in their world. They are not sitting back and waiting for things to happen; they want to be part of the solution. And they expect companies and brands to do the same. For a fashion brand to continue to be relevant in today’s marketplace, responsible design and manufacturing is not a nice-to-have… it’s a must. Fortunately for Timberland, we’ve been at this for a long time — and we’re only getting stronger in our conviction. Sustainable fashion is also a must from an environmental perspective. Day after day, we witness the depletion of our natural resources, the negative effects of climate change and the overall degradation of our environment. It’s incumbent upon those of us who make things, who contribute to some of these environmental challenges, to work hard to innovate, collaborate and tackle the issues head-on. We owe that to ourselves, to our community, and to future generations,” says Jim Pisani, Global President of Timberland.

We all need to play our part to contribute to a better global future, from individual to small business to large corporation. Although the expectation for how much of a difference we can make is contingent on your perceived size, the truth is that even one person can make a substantive change just by trying, and small businesses do not need to feel limited by their resources but instead let their work be driven by their passion and heart. Your customers will look up to you for your efforts but even more importantly, you will know deep down that you helped be the change you wish to see.

The post How Small Businesses Can Embrace Corporate Social Responsibility appeared first on Enterprise Podcast Network - EPN.