The ABC of CSR

摘要

British companies'record on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is mixed at best. Some companies have CSR so deeply embedded in their institutional DNA that it has now become an intrinsic part of their identity and how they position themselves in their respective marketplaces. For many others though, particularly those starting off down the CSR road, it can appear a bewildering prospect. The difference between greenwash and a great idea can be marginal, but getting it wrong can lead to perceptions of tokenism and a consequential loss of faith among staff and, even more crucially, customers. Professional Manager tapped Business in the Community (BITC), a non-profit organisation that promotes responsible business practices, for some pointers on how to navigate the CSR labyrinth. Charlotte West, one of its corporate advisers, gives her top tips on taking the first steps towards more ethical business practices.