1 Important Action to Show Your Business Commitment to Social Impact
We all know actions speak louder than words but what is the 1 action to take to show your small business commitment to social impact? Here are 11 ideas to think about and then act upon.
From looking at everything with an equity lens to re-designing products with waste minimization in mind, here are 11 answers to the question, "What important actions has your business taken to show its commitment to social impact?”
Make Equity a Foundational and Important Action Step
Be Honest About the Social Issues You're Up Against
Have an Honest Conversation About Who You’re Surrounded by
Invest in the Well-being of Your Team
Participate in Community Initiatives to Show that Your Company Cares
Create Your Own Social Responsibility Policy
Team Up With 1% for the Planet
Uplift Others by Up-leveling their Professional Skills for the Workplace
Financial Wellness Employee Benefits Are a Game Changer for Women, Minorities
Create an Employee Matching or Donation-Pool Program
Re-design Products to Minimize Waste
Make Equity a Foundational and Important Action Step
The one important action that overlays all decisions, ideas for impacts, and social contracts is to try to look beyond the obvious and look at everything with an equity lens. Whether an impact is local or global, environmental, social, or internal, the one important action is to reach beyond assumptions and ask: Who is affected? Who is left out? What is their viewpoint? What would be their human-centered design for how they are affected by an impact my company might make?
By digging deeper and examining our own assumptions, doing research, and learning more, hopefully, we can be more inclusive and make decisions that are based on due diligence and intentions formed by examining the possibilities.
-Kim Allchurch Flick, Benefit and Impacts Consulting, Founder, Mighty Epiphyte Consulting LLC
Be Honest About the Social Issues You're Up Against
The business community is often surprisingly small, especially when you break us out by industry. This can make it hard to talk about the way we're helping to solve the social problems our fellow businesses are ignoring, or worse, exploiting.
Most people feel ashamed of the harm they're perpetuating in the world, and it can be really tough for them to feel exposed by another person who is tackling an issue head-on. But shame dies in the light.
As progressive business owners, we have to speak frankly about the ways we are trying to solve the problems we see with traditional business management. This means naming the exploitation in our industry and encouraging our fellow business owners to find their own solutions as well.
We already know several harmful ways to do business. By being honest and working together, we can all find success together without harming our workers or our planet.
-Marina Martinez-Bateman, CEO, New Coyote Consulting
Have an Honest Conversation About Who You’re Surrounded by
Identify who you work with (clients, consultants, contractors, etc.) and have an honest conversation with yourself about if these are people who are similar to you. Do you work for and with a diverse group of people? If not, change it. Reach out proactively, seek to meet new people, and establish working relationships with other communities and populations.
-Dan Bramske, Architect, Bramske Studio Architecture
Invest in the Well-being of Your Team
I'm reminded of the Mother Teresa quote: "If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family." This quote is relevant in two ways.
The best thing that business leaders can do to demonstrate their commitment to social impact is to take care of their own people first and foremost. The work they do inside their "homes" (within their own business) to support and uplift the team that they've built internally, will help not only their bottom line, but have a ripple effect into the community as well. This reflects true authentic leadership, because it is not performative.
Taking good care of your people helps them take care of their own families. Once financial stability and job security are established, employers have the opportunity to invest in programs and benefits that help their employees truly thrive and bring their best selves to their work and their family life. The impact on society here is exponential.
-Colleen Kavanagh, CEO, SoulBeing
Participate in Community Initiatives to Show that Your Company Cares
A big part of the reason I started my own firm was to give back to the Boston area. It's not just about providing employment and services to my city; I'm always asking myself how I can spread my success more broadly.
One action I've incorporated? Inviting and encouraging my team to participate in a variety of charitable local events.
Not only do things like park clean-ups and fundraising marathons remind my workforce that we're committed to altruism, but they also improve our collaborative skills at work. Sharing goals in our off time helps us communicate during office hours and brings us together as a team.
Create Your Own Social Responsibility Policy
This social responsibility policy should outline the company's values, goals, and strategies for making a positive impact on society and the environment.
The policy should be comprehensive, covering a wide range of issues such as environmental sustainability, diversity and inclusion, employee well-being, ethical sourcing, and community engagement. It should also include measurable targets and timelines to track progress and ensure accountability.
They could also look to support any local charities and nonprofits, as well as providing fair and safe working conditions for employees, and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
-James Townend, Foster Agency Director, Fitzgerald Fostering
Team Up With 1% for the Planet
Donate a portion of your proceeds to an organization you believe in. For example, many companies team up with 1% for the Planet. This international organization is made up of members who donate 1% of their annual revenue to environmental causes. 1% for the Planet has thousands of organizations within their network that they'll help match up with businesses that share its values. It's a great way to show your commitment to social impact.
-Andrew Meyer, CEO, Arbor
Uplift Others by Up-leveling their Professional Skills for the Workplace
At Elevated Diversity, we offer what we call our Elevatex2 programs. The program's intent is simple: to uplevel and uplift others by providing them with professional development skills that can really make a difference in their lives.
And the program's format is simple, too: when an organization retains our team to provide DEI consulting and training programs, they are offered a 'bonus' professional development workshop to gift to a non-profit of their choosing.
The organization feels good about providing support to the non-profit, and our team feels we are paying it forward by sharing valuable professional soft skills (we've covered communication skills, interviewing strategies, effective negotiation, and more) - So we view this program as our opportunity to elevate others while impacting social good -- times two.
-Rhonda Moret, Founder and CEO, Elevated Diversity
Financial Wellness Employee Benefits Are a Game Changer for Women, Minorities
Businesses can add employee benefits to their portfolios that make a real social impact. Financial wellness benefits help employees manage their money, get out of debt, and even improve their credit scores. Employers should look at benefits that are specifically designed for women, minorities, and working people who don't make enough to have access to a financial advisor. These benefits have a major impact on people's lives because they provide the tools and knowledge to help employees get ahead financially.
Being able to pay down debt and put aside money for the future are game-changers, especially for those who are one emergency away from financial disaster. But they often lack the resources to understand how to do it. These are the issues that cause them stress and anxiety every day, and by providing your employees with benefits that help them confront these stressors, you're showing that you care about their financial and emotional well-being, even outside of the work environment.
-Crissi Cole, Founder, CEO, Penny Finance
Create an Employee Matching or Donation-Pool Program
One important action that a business can take to show its commitment to social impact is exploring the option of creating an employee-matching or donation-pool program. This example allows companies to set aside part of their profits for employees to donate toward projects and organizations that are meaningful to them.
It not only demonstrates the company's shared commitment, but also fosters company unity as those involved in the cause come together. Additionally, this approach encourages employees to be active in giving back while freeing up resources at the same time.
-Amy Ling Lin, CEO, Dear sundays
Re-design Products to Minimized Waste
As the company's founder, I took a crucial initiative to modify the packaging and construction of my 15-dual massage adjustable bed in order to minimize waste production and environmental impact.
I came up with an eco-friendlier design that was just as strong and high-quality while using fewer components and materials. The bed could now be shipped in a considerably smaller package thanks to the improved design, which also cut down on wasteful packing and transportation-related emissions.
The new design also reduced the product's environmental impact by making assembly quicker and more effective. It supported our dedication to sustainability and innovation in order to produce more environmentally friendly goods without compromising quality or customer satisfaction.
-Marc Werner, CEO and Founder, GhostBed
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