PPB April 2019

in Brighton, Michigan, and co-founder of PromoCares, a 100 percent industry volunteer initiative. “If you’re not sure whether or not a decision you need tomake is the right decision, a CSR policymight serve as a willing arbitrator for that choice.” Whether you want to do good for your community or for your company’s image, introducing a CSR program may be the answer. With countless industry programs and local nonprofits supporting a variety of causes, it’s easy to get started. There’s never been a better time to find out how social responsibility can be rewarding. The Basics Of CSR The ideas behind CSR have been part of the business lexicon for generations. At various times, it’s been known as corporate citizenship, corporate sustainability, conscious capitalism and sustainable business, but the essence is the same. A local business sponsoring a Little League team or a corporation holding a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness are both examples of socially responsible behaviors. Providing support for important causes is Business Operations 101, helping a company generate positive press while also providing tax incentives. Corporate social responsibility differs from traditional corporate giving in two fundamental ways. First, a CSR program is a comprehensive, companywide effort, often centered around a particular mission. Forbes identified diversity, disaster recovery and ecological programs, information protection and inequality as some of the most common CSR focuses in 2018, but a company can just as easily concentrate on smaller efforts closer to home, such as volunteering at a local food bank or helping to build and beautify a community space. What’s important is that the program is sustained, that it provides teammembers an opportunity to contribute and that it benefits the community. The other major difference from traditional corporate programs is in the Supplier Sweda Company found its purpose when it invited Iraq war veteran Dan Nevins (left) to speak and lead a motivational yoga session at its 2016 national sales meeting. Since then the company has donated more than $250,000 in money and products to Nevins’s foundation, the Warrior Spirit Retreat. FEATURE | Built On Purpose 24 | APRIL 2019 |