How to Get Your Business Started in Social Change

Faithful on the Clock

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In this episode...

How to Get Your Business Started in Social Change

https://faithfulontheclock.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-get-your-business-started-in-social-change

People today want businesses to be involved in social change. Episode 66 of Faithful on the Clock reveals the biggest problem within that arena and walks you through key steps for bringing social responsibility into your business.

Timestamps:

[00:04] - Intro

[00:34] - You can see the idea of social change in many business vision and mission statements. Many companies really do want to make a difference.

[01:14] - Multiple studies support the idea that people want companies to step up when it comes to social responsibility.

[02:29] - People want companies to engage but generally have little faith in the social responsibility promises businesses make. This makes following through on what you say critical.

[04:11] - The first step in getting started in social change is deliberately selecting which values you’ll support. Select just a few to keep the influence of those values from getting too diffused.

[05:45] - Double-check that your selected values can fit within the core areas and principles of social responsibility from ISO Guidance on Social Responsibility.

[06:36] - Consider small and large scale for your initiatives. Smaller community initiatives are essential for powering and lending credibility to larger campaigns.

[08:10] - Verify that the value you target comes through in your business. It should serve as a constant undercurrent and be codified in your handbook.

[08:45] - Pivoting on social causes as your business or society grows is OK. Just be clear about why you are transitioning.

[09:40] - Prayer

[10:24] - Outro/What’s coming up next

Key takeaways:

• The idea of having influence and doing good is easy to find in the corporate space, but customers mistrust businesses and don’t believe they’ll really do what they promise.
• The first step in having a social impact is to realize that you should only promise what you know you should follow through on.
• Once you understand that promises can’t exceed the ability to follow through, decide which value(s) you’re going to passionately support. Don’t try to take on a ton of causes, because diffusion can make you ineffective and give the impression that none of the causes have much weight.
• There are seven core areas and seven principles of social responsibility from the ISO Guidance on Social Responsibility that you can use to guide you in the selection and implementation of your social causes.
• Consider both small and large-scale social change in your initiatives. Small initiatives often can lead to larger programs with more influence. They build trust at the community level and allow people you know to trust and advocate on your behalf.
• Create a handbook centered around your social values. This will help drive consistent behavior, which you need for the public to trust you. The value should be visible in all of your operations.
• Societies can learn and grow over time. So it is OK for your business to change social initiatives as people adopt new, better beliefs that are more in line with Christian teaching. Be open and deliberate whenever you make these changes.

• What is Social Responsibility (SR)? | ASQ
• Study: 81% of Consumers Say They Will Make Personal Sacrifices to Address Social, Environmental Issues
• Can Social Good Products Make For A Good Business?
• Consumers Expect the Brands they Support to be Socially Responsible | Business Wire
• The Bible speaks of getting involved to correct social injustice | Walterboro Live

CTAs:

• Study the core areas and principles of social responsibility.
• Read the scriptures provided about social responsibility and justice.
• Consider which social changes are dearest to your heart and why. Talk to colleagues about them.
• Propose a social initiative at your company for your community.

What’s coming up next:

Layoffs are never easy, but they’re often necessary for businesses to survive. Episode 67 of Faithful on the Clock covers how to get through one well, both as an employer and employee.

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