Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) can create positive public relations (PR) opportunities and good news stories. Make the most of your CSR activities by showing customers, suppliers and the local community the positive impact your business is making.

Role of PR in promoting your CSR

Promoting your CSR can help you win contracts, as many organisations prefer to work with responsible businesses. This is especially important when working with ethical companies, the public sector or not-for-profit organisations.

You should treat CSR as part of a long-term approach to building value. Everything you do should support your reputation and keep customers and stakeholders engaged. CSR should also be consistent across your business. For example, using recycled materials is not enough if you treat customers unfairly or ignore your community.

Business awards

You could enter business awards that recognise strong CSR performance. For example::

• 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.