Companies with powerful corporate social responsibility plan are the ones that take their mission statements and values to heart. These brands, such as Dove and Patagonia, stand out from those who merely put on a front; they establish themselves as leading pioneers of authenticity in all aspects of their business. In order for companies to ascend into greatness, it’s not enough just to have popular commercials – there needs to be an open dialogue demonstrating what motivates them beyond monetary gain.
Patagonia’s website is a testament to its commitment to being an ethical, responsible business. It’s evident that they have a strong sense of purpose and values which makes them stand out among the competition. This can be very powerful as we live in an increasingly reputation-based economy where brand loyalty reigns supreme.
Dove has made it its mission to encourage assurance in women, which is mirrored through the utilization of commercials, searchings, and collaborations with such establishments as the Girl Scouts of America, Girls Inc., and Boys & Girls Clubs. Both Patagonia and Dove deliver excellent products that make people pleased to shop from them but what sets them apart is their commitment to doing good across the world.
Understandably, you don’t have a team of thousands or millions in the bank for your brand. Yet, building an outstanding reputation in the workplace is not much different from creating one that speaks to a product’s excellence and corporate responsibility. You can create a remarkable personal reputation by developing your Social Responsibility (PSR) program. This is akin to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives that many leading corporations illustrate, except this time it’s all about making yourself socially accountable.
Think of the current or future goals you have in mind and make sure they are incorporated into your plan so employers, as well as those around you, sense consistency and honesty in what you’re striving for.
How To Create Your Own Plan for Personal Social Responsibility
It doesn’t have to be complicated! Lifelong learning is an ideal Personal Success Rule (PSR) value for anyone who’s a member of professional development organizations, reads how-to and DIY books, or takes classes to learn new skills. On the other hand, if you’re passionate about education policy and volunteer with a nearby children’s museum–“improving education” should be one component of your PSR plan!
Uncover any discontentment and search for new opportunities. When feeling dissatisfied with your daily routine and not having the clarity to identify what is throwing you off, delve into those elements of your PSR plan that are left unfulfilled. Brainstorming around this might bring about an epiphany regarding where positive transformation can take place for you.
An example; if “community” was chosen as a keyword in the plan, it suggests a lack of opportunity to serve others which could be rectified. And while these terms don’t need to dictate one’s life, they certainly have potential when it comes to improving its quality!
Perfection isn’t mandatory. You aren’t going to be the ideal employee, student, or job applicant in one evening simply by noting down a few words defining your ambitions and goals. Patagonia has an incredibly respected CSR program; however, they are aware that they may not attain the very high objectives they have established for themselves every time. Don’t be too hard on yourself, take it slow but steadily make progress. As pointed out on their website:
We can’t pose Patagonia as the model of a responsible company. We don’t do everything a responsible company can do, nor does anyone else we know. But we can tell you how we came to realize our environmental and social responsibilities, and then began to act on them. Like other things in human life, it began with one step that led to another.
Embrace positivity each and every day. Establishing and adhering to core values will help you build a reputable reputation. When you create your life -both inside, outside, and on paper- around the areas that are important to you, it not only demonstrates that trust can be placed in you as someone who consistently keeps their promises but also sends a message of your commitment towards making positive contributions beyond yourself.
What are some values from your own personal social responsibility program? Tell us in the comments!
Uncover the President of Arby’s Restaurant Group, Hala Moddelmog’s standpoint on corporate and personal social responsibility!
