Posts Tagged ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’

17 Jul

Causecast: Making Giving and Serving Even Easier

Posted by Andrew Mersmann in Act Now. Tagged: , , , .

895440_25440966Large companies have entire departments devoted to Corporate Social Responsibility and they not only make sure the organization has some positive impact on community as representative of their shareholders, they also usually spearhead employee engagement programs–getting workers out volunteering and making a difference. Smaller companies are often spread so thin that this priority drops away in the face of oiling much squeakier wheels and desperately trying to keep up with the bottom line.

Causecast has come in to fill the gap for smaller companies (as well as global organizations) with their Community Impact Platform. It is a straightforward employee volunteer and donation system to help you get your team engaged while not pulling focus from your already overworked leaders. This tool can help you get all your company’s charitable ducks in a row so you can have the strongest impact on the causes you undertake. Corporate philanthropy, employee volunteer days, disaster relief response, competitive fundraising, community service partnerships…all of it is streamlined and empowered by the program. Whether you are a Mom n’ Pop operation, a start-up brand, or a multi-national corporation, being more efficient in your giving means your impact grows. If you are, or work for, someone who could use a little clarity for their cause and a leaner way toward having the best impact, check it out.

2 Oct

Microsoft YouthSpark

Posted by Andrew Mersmann in Inspiration. Tagged: , , , , .

I am such a huge fan of Corporate Social Responsibility and all of its many flavors across the business world. When large organizations find ways to be responsible not only to shareholders, but also to their employee teams, communities where they are based, and inspiring global projects, it fires me up and gives me lots of hope. A computer manufacturer spearheading recycling, or a publisher building schools, or an energy giant leading the charge in potable water issues–these go a long way in my mind to balancing some of what is so unbalanced in our world. (The energy each of us individually puts out toward bettering the world moves the needle just as dramatically, by the way)

Microsoft has a great program for young people, called YouthSpark. The initiative’s goal is to provide opportunities, in education, employment, and entrepreneurship, for hundreds of millions of young people around the world. They partner with governments, non-profits, and businesses to make forward momentum for young people more attainable. Students get access to computer software and development tools at no cost, fundraising projects are dreamed and communicated so financial goals get met, technology competitions, mentoring, empowerment in truly tangible ways is happening because of this work.

Does your workplace commit to bettering the world (beyond the widgets you sell or services you provide for profit)? Can you see a way they/you can? Put that into action. Suggest it to the boss. It is only by playing larger than we usually do that we create seismic shifts, and, like a spark, catch fire and spread. So, get large!

26 May

Corporate Forestry

Posted by Andrew Mersmann in Environment. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , .

FedEx Enchanted Forest

It is, of course, very popular to find fault with large corporations these days (very popular, and not an incredible challenge, actually…so many international companies make themselves easy targets). Since multi-nationals are a part of our universe, I am always pleased when I discover ways they get things right. A couple of large companies have recently come to my attention for their focus on climate change and their efforts to engage the public in environmental care.

HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial institutions, has partnered with volunteer service company Earthwatch, the Climate Group, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and WWF to inspire action and dig deeper into climate change with their 5-year Climate Partnership. The goal is to engage at least  100,000 of HSBC’s international workforce to take on decisive action for the environment. They have already set up regional climate centers in China, India, Latin America, North America, and Europe for local research programs and field work, since forests are so different from place to place. HSBC employees can elect to work in the Climate Champion program, working with the scientific community, to help monitor forests, and educate their colleagues, families, friends, and communities.

Federal Express has launched an online initiative (via facebook), called the Enchanted Forest, as a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation and FedEx’s own eco-focused organization, EarthSmart (solutions for a more sustainable world). When you go into the animated Enchanted Forest and elect to plant a virtual tree, FedEx translates that action into planting a real tree, aiding reforestation projects in areas affected by wildfires and drought. Click to plant often, and encourage others to do the same, as large companies can put some focus on green that isn’t printed at the treasury.