As the New Year swiftly approaches many members of the public will set resolutions that may in fact be kept or broken before the year comes to an end. However there is one resolution that society in general should aim to keep and that is shopping with socially responsible companies. High Street Max would advocate that for the most part companies both large and small have to adhere to consumer demands sooner or later. Proactive companies which include retailers, elect to do so sooner and recognise the impact their day to day business may have on the local community as well as the environment at large. Many retailers are prepared to take full responsibility for their actions and welcome consumer comments and suggestions in order to operate more harmoniously not to mention efficiently with the environment and local communities.
What is Corporate Social Responsibility?
HighStreetMax.com interprets corporate social responsibility as the following: companies including retailers who realise and take responsibility for their actions; proactively working to enhance their performance in all aspects of the business with zero or minimum impact on the local and global community. This method of operation extends far beyond a company’s statutory obligation regarding the quality of its product or service and legal obligations to its key publics (Customers, Clients, shareholder, employees to name but a few.)
How can one tell if a company is socially responsible?
There are many indicators that High Street Max would recommend consumer look for.
HighStreetMax.com suggests the following:
Some of the largest companies in the UK produce Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports quarterly or annually. Most of these reports are available online directly from the companies’ website. These reports give an overview as well as an in depth account of the initiatives that a company is taking towards being a responsible business. The report should in essence cover subject such as protecting the environment for future generations, being a responsible neighbour, this section should focus on how the company operates at a local level. Management of the basic impact on society, the environment, suppliers and other key stakeholders should also be addressed. The CSR reports companies’ produce may also focus on observing basic Human rights when carrying out day today operations and the fair treatment of employees.
Highstreetmax.com suggests other key indications that may alert consumers to the principals of the company. Whether a company recycles or uses recyclable products could help the public distinguish been companies who are doing their part for the environment and those who are not. If a company uses products and materials sourced from a sustainable supply this could also imply that the company is conscious of the needs of the local and global community.
High Street Max believes that companies should be honest about their products and services supplying brochure where appropriate written in plain English with no small print. This is why Highstreetmax.com always endeavours to be as transparent as possible regarding the way that they do business. Highstreetmax.com also supports local good causes and would advocate that consumers may also identify CSR companies by the work that they do in the community. This type of information can be found on company websites and through press releases through various mediums (Television, radio, newspapers both local and national).
Highstreetmax.com acknowledges that in some cases buying from companies with a strong sense of CSR may prove to be a costly affair in monetary terms. However the saving made by the community at large far out weigh the money spent on the products or service. Goods that are sourced fairly and services that are provided in a clear cut way helps to ensure that retail chain flows harmoniously with everyone from supplier to end consumer receiving what they need when they need it. If more consumers insisted on buying responsible products and services organisations such as retailers would have to make these goods and services more accessible in order to retain old and attract new customers.
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