Corporate Social Responsibility: What is it; Why you should care. (Part I of II)

I recently attended an Expo in Anaheim on Social Responsibility, which in the real world asks the question, “What are corporations and others doing to make the world a better place and why is it important?” Organized and facilitated by UBM, a London-based major worldwide company involved in events, marketing and PR Newswire, the “Business 4 Better” Convention is subtitled “The Community Partnership Movement” and has been held throughout the world since 2008, but this was the first in the United States, and not the last. Their expectations of about 1500-2000 attendees hit right on the mark and the date for 2014 is already on the schedule. This one was supported and sponsored by local and not so local Big Names like Disneyland, PIMCO, and Microsoft and included noteworthy speakers as Premal Shah, President of KIVA, a micro-loan crowd-sourcing site which has funded almost seven hundred million dollars in mostly small increments of just $25 at a time. Finishing up the two-day event was Neil Bush, brother and son within the Bush Political Dynasty.

As a Baby Boomer who lived though the “Me Decade” of the 70’s of my youth, I am proud and happy to see the worldwide shift towards the “US” movement and that presents itself though all generations, but is spearheaded by the Millennials, the Young Adults between about twenty and thirty. They have an innate sense of wanting to give back and are even motivated enough to forgo job advancement and opportunities for the sake of working towards helping a “Cause.” Their goal is not just job and career advancement, but to make their world and the entire world a better place.

This Blog will resonate with some and others may think, “So what, why should I care?” The irony is that Corporate Social  Responsibility, known by the acronym “CSR” is here to stay and is touching your life right now whether you realize it or not. Some may be familiar with the term “Cause Marketing,” which is merely another term for this area. Job positions within companies that focus on Social Involvement dovetails within the Social Media sector and as good as it is for the WORLD, it is also good--and smart--business. The elder George HW Bush even created a mandate and mentioned “a thousand points of light” to signify how many changes can be brought about with focus and effort.

This expo had workshops discussing employee engagement and how to get employees involved with charitable efforts along with nonprofits and charities partnering with for-profit company to create significant change. These partnerships are happening all around you, from the noteworthy Susan G. Komen teaming with Yoplait Yogurt in support of breast cancer research and walk-a-thons to many products you buy off the shelf that contribute a portion towards a special cause. The youth that are in school right now or have graduated within this Millennium, have probably all been involved with some type of run or walk, beach or trail pick up or some type of charitable effort through their family or their school.

One of the Take-a-Ways I got from the event is that this worldwide movement is good—for everyone—and everyone should participate, not matter how small the effort.

The next blog will cover some specifics as to the different levels of partnerships and ways to get involved, as well as sharing the reasons why you should care.