Spring-based entrepreneurs can enhance their corporate social responsibility through green initiatives

What does "Corporate Social Responsibility" mean?

Let's all agree on what CSR means first. People don't just say it. Corporate social responsibility means that businesses should do as little harm as possible and as much good as possible. It's not just about the cash. It's about the world people and morals.

Companies often focus on being environmentally friendly treating their workers fairly and giving to charity in order to do this well. Patagonia is a well known example of a company that is changing. They promise to put sustainability at the heart of their business. Check out Wikipedia for more in depth definitions and examples.

By making CSR a part of your business you show your customers and the community that you care about more than just making money. People will trust you and stay loyal to you which can be worth more than gold in the long run.

Using trends that happen at certain times of the year to help long term growth

Spring is a time for both nature and business to begin anew and grow. This is the best time of year to get started on green projects. Businesses that are based in spring can get a competitive edge by using the themes of the season.

Think about getting things from different seasons. Customers love knowing that their items didn't have to go all the way around the world to get to them. This is especially true when you show off things that have to do with spring. The freshness of local food and the vibrancy of local plants can be great selling points.

Also promoting a seasonal service or event like a community cleanup day can help your brand fit in better with the values of the people who live near you. Brands like Ben & Jerry's hold events and rallies to connect with people in their communities Ben & Jerry's Commitment To Social Justice.

Working with companies that care about the environment

One of the best ways to improve your CSR profile without having to start from scratch is to work with companies that are already green. Look for suppliers who use eco friendly methods hire vendors who have green certifications or work with local startups that care about the environment.

Customers will know that your business cares about the environment because of these partnerships. This also helps you connect with other businesses that think like you and can share ideas and resources for running a more eco friendly business.

Apple is a great example of a tech company that has promised to work with suppliers who offer renewable energy options Apple's Supplier Clean Energy Program. This not only helps their sustainability scorecard but it also encourages others in their network to do the same.

Making the most of your time and cutting down on waste

Let's get to work on cutting down on waste. And no it doesn't just mean using less. It's about knowing where trash is and how to get rid of it.

You might want to do a waste audit to see where most of your trash comes from. It could be anything like old ways of packaging things or office paper. Once you know you can make a plan. Using eco friendly packaging going paperless and getting employees to do the same are all small things that can make a big difference.

Unilever has said they want to cut their waste in half by 2025 by using smarter packaging and production methods Unilever Sustainable Living Plan.

Getting customers and workers to be more environmentally friendly

Now that your business is on the path to being more environmentally friendly it's important to get your employees and customers involved. They can help you the most.

Consider starting a "green team" at work. This group can run projects hold workshops or plan events in the area. Getting your employees involved not only makes your business better for the environment but it also makes them feel better and brings them together.

Also get your customers to help you make the change. You can give people reasons to bring their own bags by giving them discounts or holding workshops on how to be more eco friendly. Look at Taiwan's MAG as an example. They have textile recycling programs that get people in the community involved MAG's Recycling Program.

Adding green initiatives to your business's CRS doesn't have to be hard. It's about making small well thought out decisions that are in line with your values and that your customers will like. Those little things add up to make the world and your business better. That's the mark you want to leave on the world right?