Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) lends itself to good news stories and is a source of positive public relations (PR). Make the most of your CSR activities by publicising them to let customers, suppliers and the local community know about the good that you are doing.

Role of PR in promoting your CSR

Publicity can be a key part of using CSR to win contracts. People want to buy from businesses they respect. CSR can be particularly effective for targeting ethical companies, the public sector and not-for-profit organisations.

At the same time, you should see CSR as part of a continuing process of building long-term value. Everything you do should help improve your reputation and encourage customers and other stakeholders to stay involved with you. A business that buys recycled paper - but exploits its customers and ignores the community - has missed the point.

Business awards

Your business could also look at entering business awards that recognise and promote businesses that excel with corporate social responsibility projects. Potential awards your business could enter include:

• International CSR Excellence Awards
• Global Good Awards
• Business in the Community's Responsible Business Awards

Quality standards

You could consider working towards a management standard which you can then use to promote your ethical, environmental or social responsibility. For example, many businesses have already achieved the ISO 14001 environmental management standard.

Socially responsible businesses act in an ethical and transparent way that contributes to the health and welfare of society. ISO 26000 provides guidance on how businesses can operate in a socially responsible way.

See more on quality management standards.

Effective CSR like this can give your business a competitive edge. Even with dozens of competitors, a real commitment to CSR lets your business stand out.