Today's consumers hold companies to a higher standard. They're looking for more than just material products or quality services when choosing a company to work with: Nine in 10 consumers expect companies to not only make a profit, but also operate responsibly to address social and environmental issues, according to a study by Cone Comunications. Eighty-four percent of global consumers also said they seek out responsible products whenever possible.
Recognizing how important social responsibility is to their customers, many companies now focus on and practice a few broad categories of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
1. Environmental efforts: One primary focus of corporate social responsibility is the environment. Businesses regardless of size have a large carbon footprint. Any steps they can take to reduce those footprints are considered both good for the company and society as a whole.
"European companies have really led the way on environment efforts, such as green energy usage, eco-friendly office and travel policies, and ensuring that businesses take a responsibility for controlling if their net impact is positive or negative," said Richard Stevenson, head of corporate communications at ecommerce platform epages.com.
2. Philanthropy: Businesses also practice social responsibility by donating to national and local charities. Businesses have a lot of resources that can benefit charities and local community programs.
3. Ethical labor practices: By treating employees fairly and ethically, companies can also demonstrate their corporate social responsibility. This is especially true of businesses that operate in international locations with labor laws that differ from those in the United States.
4. Volunteering: Attending volunteer events says a lot about a company's sincerity. By doing good deeds without expecting anything in return, companies are able to express their concern for specific issues and support for certain organizations.
"Ethical labor and volunteering are no-brainers – consumers and partners want to hear that a business is building something more than just revenues. Even modest steps such as 'open door days' can be a great way to build links to your community and reflect that you aim to make valuable, long term impact," Stevenson added.
With millennials now holding buying power majority, the face of consumerism has changed completely, according to DeeAnn Sims, founder of creative agency,SPBX.
"This new wave of buyers is demanding transparency, and when given the choice, will almost always choose a brand or product tied to a socially conscious cause rather than a corporate big name brand," Sims said. Sims also said that this places CSR at the forefront of modern day business practices.
QunHui thanks and and always give back to society, but also from many years of accumulation of corporate social responsibility philosophy actively involved in supporting education, science and technology, environmental protection, and a variety of social welfare activities. In response to the national energy conservation It calls, and promote the concept of sustainable development, economic growth, while maintaining and improving the quality of life of the public .
We will prevent and reduce pollution, conserve environmental policy and the effective use of resources through the production, sales and service processes, in strict compliance with national and local regulations, and vigorously promote the development and application of energy-saving technologies, improve equipment, strengthen management, waste reduction, Energy conservation, efficient use of resources , environmental protection and adhere to continuous improvement .