A green New Year
The new year fills most of us with determination and promise to do things differently, not always just in our personal lives. Every day businesses invest time and money into projects and initiatives that make a difference to the environment, people, organisations and charities.
Most of us in business recognise this as CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). Traditionally CSR has been seen as the thing for large corporate companies to be involved in, to protect their reputations, manage risk and to create a positive brand image. However, all businesses can practice CSR and possibly already do without realising it.
By recycling your waste paper, using online methods instead of printing, by encouraging car sharing and the use of public transport, all contributes to CSR.
There are other CSR contributions your business can make to the local economy such as taking on an apprentice or providing free training – anything that might make a positive social or environmental impact. Small businesses probably support their local school or charity already by providing products or services. These things often go by unnoticed.
All businesses will become more accountable as the world climate problems persist – The Royal Commission on environmental pollution reports that greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut by 60% by 2050 if we are to avoid irreversible climate change. Why wait until legislation tells us to do it. Being a good corporate citizen is good for business. Many large organisations will now insist that their suppliers have also got CSR policies in place. Your customers may also be keen to see you follow good practice. Equally, if your business does have a good CSR policy, tell people about it. Put it on your website, your brochures and in the press. It’s good for business. It will keep you ahead of the game and can be a key differentiator from your competitors. Why wait, go green now.
At First Impression we can help you with email marketing, cutting your print costs and helping the environment at the same time – as well as giving you a targeted and reportable method of communicating with your clients. We can also help write your travel plans and environmental policies. Give us a call now on 0870 204 8507.