How to Start a Socially Responsible Company

It's essential you build social responsibility into your company at startup. People notice businesses that harm the environment versus those who take action to heal it. Civic involvement doesn't just prove you're a businessperson with heart. It improves your profits by building trust and a positive image. Here's what you can do to make your company socially responsible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Find out what you can do to lessen your footprint on the earth. A socially responsible company recycles, purchases biodegradable products, uses biodiesel vehicles and reduces its share of greenhouse gases.
2. Encourage diversity in the workplace. Hire people regardless of sex, race, color, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation when they're clearly qualified. Create a fun Diversity Day so your staff can learn about different cultures.
3. Sponsor a charity fund-raiser. Hosting an event for a local food bank, shelter or environmental organization not only makes you feel good, it's good publicity. Advertise your involvement on your webpage and in your newsletters.
4. Get involved in community events. Offer your staff incentives to participate. Make volunteering a non-threatening, positive way to enhance communication between employees and management.
5. Respect your customers' privacy. Make your privacy policy prominent on your website. Draft a document explaining how you protect consumers' personal information to include with every purchase.
6. Show your employees appreciation often. Reward them for good work and offer gentle encouragement and help with challenging situations. You improve their morale and they, in turn, offer better customer service.
7. Prove to your employees you take responsibility for the social environment at the office by creating a pleasant place to work. Create a lounge for relaxation and a library for continuing education. Make people want to join your company.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose charities that are consistent with your company's social responsibility mission statement.