
"Socially responsible companies are more productive, increase value and thus are better able to compete in the global marketplace. " Since September 2007 the group published its Responsible Alternative "Manifesto for corporate social responsibility", which was reflected in the statement that opens this article, have been busy. Most importantly, the sudden arrival of an economic crisis that has made businesses more complicated situation since the Great Depression.
In this environment, does it make sense to keep talking about Corporate Social Responsibility when most companies, especially SMEs, have survival as their primary objective? From the collective Alternative Responsible think so. We believe that today more than ever, there is a causal relationship between CSR and productivity, value creation and, ultimately, income. This assertion is based on the following considerations.
In this environment, does it make sense to keep talking about Corporate Social Responsibility when most companies, especially SMEs, have survival as their primary objective? From the collective Alternative Responsible think so. We believe that today more than ever, there is a causal relationship between CSR and productivity, value creation and, ultimately, income. This assertion is based on the following considerations.
1. CSR is not an expense.
CSR has to do with a way of understanding the company based on integrity, transparency, social legitimacy and the principles of sustainable long-term business. Thus understood, the CSR has to do not so much what is donated, but mainly with the way in which the company derives its income. Compliance with the law, the processes internal control, transparency, a balance between maximizing revenue / reduce costs in the non-compromising fundamental principles such as respect for human rights, labor rights, environmental stewardship, and anti-corruption practices in all its theater of operations ( collected in the Global Compact United Nations) are red lines that the company should not pass, at the risk of compromising their future sustainability. Not worth anything goes. Understand and CSR, does not mean ignoring social programs made by companies through donations, but remember that Lehman Brothers was one of the great philanthropists of Wall Street and management malpractice led to his demise.
2. If CSR is not an expense but a way of conceiving the company and how it earns its revenue, must necessarily be connected with the levers that shape competitiveness.
2. If CSR is not an expense but a way of conceiving the company and how it earns its revenue, must necessarily be connected with the levers that shape competitiveness.
Taking as its starting point is always the integrity, transparency and sustainability, the challenge of CSR is to contribute to the sustainability seeking new forms of revenue, contributing to cost savings, promoting customer satisfaction and ultimately have a positive return in the income statement. Sustainability is not incompatible with competitiveness. Moreover, it is an integral part of it.
3. If the competition is to seek more revenue, CSR is able to generate demand for new engines.
In times of crisis the laws of supply and demand changes to a model based more on real economy, basic needs of individuals, families, businesses or government. The search for new growth engines with high social impact can bring out new market niches that were not previously considered not to cover margins and require significant expertise and qualifications of personnel was not required when addressing markets I massive high-margin markets. And CSR is the place we a key role because it means looking at those activities that have a high social impact. Examples
. The creation of new business models based on renewable energy or energy efficiency and savings, the search for new products and services for older people (now over 16% of the population is already over 65 years and over 59% of these people have some form of dependency, the forecast for 2020 is that percentage rise to 25% of the population of the European Union (EU), attracting a potential market of 3,000 billion Euros), the solutions to enhance education in the new framework for information technology (It is estimated that between 2009 and 2010 there will be an investment of 69,000 million euros in EU digital libraries), the new demands of solutions for people with disabilities (in Europe, only 3% of public sector websites comply with the accessibility standards), or rural tourism and sustainable ... are just a few examples of where some of the new engines of economic growth.
4. CSR is competitive when it contributes to reduce costs in organizations.
The efficient use of resources, especially energy savings can make up to 2020 in Europe, amounting to 600,000 million euros. New models of saving based on the acquisition of efficient equipment and its efficient use (on and off, rationalization of stand by), in buildings off at a certain time, in temperature and adequate air conditioning offices and rooms, in small print and two faces, in the non-use of color, in replacing paper correspondence by e-mail, in the rational use of water ... are measures that can help reduce costs by up to 10% and fit perfectly with a policy CSR.
5. CSR can also be a risk mitigating factor for businesses.
Corporate scandals of recent times are merely a reflection of a lack of policies on business integrity, non-existent or flagrant breach of ethics and conduct codes. The current economic crisis has shown enough to be a crisis of excess and reckless behavior. The cost of these scandals has meant a burden for some companies which can hardly recover.
6. CSR contributes to competitiveness in the extent to which strengthens customer loyalty and their emotional connection with the brand . Responsible and ethical behavior put a company and its brand in the minds of his clients as "companies that can be trusted", which ultimately allows them to have higher margins in its prices, because that reflects a greater margin of reliability plus the client is willing to pay. In the minds of all are brands that have made the trust its main competitive advantage, and around it, have built their value proposition and are guaranteed a higher price range that has value mattresses times crisis. Responsible Alternative
Since we are aware that some of the measures related to CSR, in the sense that we have exposed here (search for more revenue containing costs, minimizing business risk and building a brand based on reliability), requires dedication of resources. Define these resources as an expense or investment, will depend on how each company understands building a sustainable business model over time. The business model based on the fast speculation in the short term, resource maximization, in the "culture of buck" has proven to be one of the main causes of the economic crisis. By contrast, business models based on building a long-term, cost control and target investment in growth related to the basic know-how, and in building strong customer relationships, has become a source of creation and wealth generation, and the best defense against the crisis. Definitely
where there are businesses, there is wealth. Where there is no business, there are usually subsidized and less developed. The challenge is to ensure that the business model is sustainable in the long term.
Since we are aware that some of the measures related to CSR, in the sense that we have exposed here (search for more revenue containing costs, minimizing business risk and building a brand based on reliability), requires dedication of resources. Define these resources as an expense or investment, will depend on how each company understands building a sustainable business model over time. The business model based on the fast speculation in the short term, resource maximization, in the "culture of buck" has proven to be one of the main causes of the economic crisis. By contrast, business models based on building a long-term, cost control and target investment in growth related to the basic know-how, and in building strong customer relationships, has become a source of creation and wealth generation, and the best defense against the crisis. Definitely
where there are businesses, there is wealth. Where there is no business, there are usually subsidized and less developed. The challenge is to ensure that the business model is sustainable in the long term.
SOURCE: Alternative ResponsableDisponible