Atricle Dump - Businesses Become More Socially Concious

The goal is to leverage your company’s unique capabilities in supporting social causes and improve your competitive context at the same time. The job of today’s leaders is to stop being defensive and start thinking systematically about corporate responsibility.”

Michael Porter, Professor, Harvard Business School, at the April 2005 Business and Society Conference on Corporate Citizenship, sponsored by the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management

Most agencies will probably agree that they have a moral obligation to serve as a contributing member of their community. What many are not sure of, however, is exactly how it is done.

I was visiting with an agency recently about the idea of adopting more socially responsible business practices. This particular owner expressed his personal view - "Our agency is here to write business and take care of our clients, not the entire community."

After talking with this owner, I began looking into the idea of social responsibility to better understand an agency's place in their community. I discovered a new buzz word working its way into the 21st century definition of doing business. The term is "CSR - "Corporate Social Responsibility".

It seems that a growing body of evidence suggests that social responsibility is a sound business strategy, and worth every agency investing their time to learn more about.

What Is Social Responsibility?

According to Wikipedia,

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept that organizations, especially (but not only) corporations, have an obligation to consider the interests of customers, employees, shareholders, communities, and ecological considerations in all aspects of their operations. This obligation is seen to extend beyond their statutory obligation to comply with legislation.

CSR is closely linked with the principles of Sustainable Development, which argues that enterprises should make decisions based not only on financial factors such as profits or dividends, but also based on the immediate and long-term social and environmental consequences of their activities.

Christine Arena, author of "The High-Purpose Company", says "more businesses are using CSR not just for feel-good philanthropy or to polish their public image, but as long-term corporate strategy." In particular, this corporate strategy includes increased profitability because the buying public is becoming more and more demanding of the people they do business with. CSR is an excellent opportunity for independent agents to create a unique place in their markets.

What Can You Do?

Certainly, the opportunities for an independent agent to be a high-purpose company differ significantly from the major corporations Christinie Arena writes about in her book. But the reality is that the idea of CSR is hitting a chord in the American public.

Here are some ways to bring the idea of a high-purpose company to your agency:

First, establish a clear vision for your agency

To be a "High-Purpose" agency you must first have a vision. Establishing a clear vision is more than a statement you carve out and put on your wall. Communicating why your agency is in business and where it is going provides staff and customers something to believe in, and buy into.

Invest in your community

In almost 100 agencies I have visited in the past 12 months, I can count on one hand the number of agents that make investing in their community a regular part of how they do business. Do you want your community to invest their trust in your agency? Be the first one to invest. Here are some suggestions:

• Scholarships
• Provide scholarships to your local high schools
• CERT Programs
• CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) are under the direction of FEMA, and provides community resources during disasters
• Support Road clean-up and maintenance
• This is may seem like a small contribution, but the roadside signs announcing who is responsible for a stretch of road are read by virtually everyone in the community.
Contractor Estimating - What They Need To Know
There are many different types of contractors. Each type has specific guidelines that they must follow.In the construction industry, the guidelines can be very strict. In today busy world, those who are in the market for a contractor do not want to take any chances of hiring someone that is not properly trained. They prefer to hire someone who has a degree in one of five different fields. These fields are building construction, construction science, construction management, architecture or engineering.Many construction estimators who work in the contractor-estimating field have extensive experience in construction this knowledge comes from working in the construction industry for many years.Most izenship, sponsored by the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management

Most agencies will probably agree that they have a moral obligation to serve as a contributing member of their community. What many are not sure of, however, is exactly how it is done.

I was visiting with an agency recently about the idea of adopting more socially responsible business practices. This particular owner expressed his personal view - "Our agency is here to write business and take care of our clients, not the entire community."

After talking with this owner, I began looking into the idea of social responsibility to better understand an agency's place in their community. I discovered a new buzz word working its way into the 21st century definition of doing business. The term is "CSR - "Corporate Social Responsibility".

It seems that a growing body of evidence suggests that social responsibility is a sound business strategy, and worth every agency investing their time to learn more about.

What Is Social Responsibility?

According to Wikipedia,

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept that organizations, especially (but not only) corporations, have an obligation to consider the interests of customers, employees, shareholders, communities, and ecological considerations in all aspects of their operations. This obligation is seen to extend beyond their statutory obligation to comply with legislation.

CSR is closely linked with the principles of Sustainable Development, which argues that enterprises should make decisions based not only on financial factors such as profits or dividends, but also based on the immediate and long-term social and environmental consequences of their activities.

Christine Arena, author of "The High-Purpose Company", says "more businesses are using CSR not just for feel-good philanthropy or to polish their public image, but as long-term corporate strategy." In particular, this corporate strategy includes increased profitability because the buying public is becoming more and more demanding of the people they do business with. CSR is an excellent opportunity for independent agents to create a unique place in their markets.

What Can You Do?

Certainly, the opportunities for an independent agent to be a high-purpose company differ significantly from the major corporations Christinie Arena writes about in her book. But the reality is that the idea of CSR is hitting a chord in the American public.

Here are some ways to bring the idea of a high-purpose company to your agency:

First, establish a clear vision for your agency

To be a "High-Purpose" agency you must first have a vision. Establishing a clear vision is more than a statement you carve out and put on your wall. Communicating why your agency is in business and where it is going provides staff and customers something to believe in, and buy into.

Invest in your community

In almost 100 agencies I have visited in the past 12 months, I can count on one hand the number of agents that make investing in their community a regular part of how they do business. Do you want your community to invest their trust in your agency? Be the first one to invest. Here are some suggestions:

• Scholarships
• Provide scholarships to your local high schools
• CERT Programs
• CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) are under the direction of FEMA, and provides community resources during disasters
• Support Road clean-up and maintenance
• This is may seem like a small contribution, but the roadside signs announcing who is responsible for a stretch of road are read by virtually everyone in the community.
Free Grant Applications
One must check one’s eligibility to be able to make free grant application. Free grant application are only allowed to qualified individuals or organizations. If you are not a student for example, you cannot make a free grant application for the campus-based aid programs. Free grant application will depend on your needs. And the eligibility requirements to be able to forward the free grant application.Students can make free grant application using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form whether online or on paper. FAFSA can be accessed by its website http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Free grant application eligibility for students include:Existing financial need.Submit high school sting their time to learn more about.

What Is Social Responsibility?

According to Wikipedia,

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept that organizations, especially (but not only) corporations, have an obligation to consider the interests of customers, employees, shareholders, communities, and ecological considerations in all aspects of their operations. This obligation is seen to extend beyond their statutory obligation to comply with legislation.

CSR is closely linked with the principles of Sustainable Development, which argues that enterprises should make decisions based not only on financial factors such as profits or dividends, but also based on the immediate and long-term social and environmental consequences of their activities.

Christine Arena, author of "The High-Purpose Company", says "more businesses are using CSR not just for feel-good philanthropy or to polish their public image, but as long-term corporate strategy." In particular, this corporate strategy includes increased profitability because the buying public is becoming more and more demanding of the people they do business with. CSR is an excellent opportunity for independent agents to create a unique place in their markets.

What Can You Do?

Certainly, the opportunities for an independent agent to be a high-purpose company differ significantly from the major corporations Christinie Arena writes about in her book. But the reality is that the idea of CSR is hitting a chord in the American public.

Here are some ways to bring the idea of a high-purpose company to your agency:

First, establish a clear vision for your agency

To be a "High-Purpose" agency you must first have a vision. Establishing a clear vision is more than a statement you carve out and put on your wall. Communicating why your agency is in business and where it is going provides staff and customers something to believe in, and buy into.

Invest in your community

In almost 100 agencies I have visited in the past 12 months, I can count on one hand the number of agents that make investing in their community a regular part of how they do business. Do you want your community to invest their trust in your agency? Be the first one to invest. Here are some suggestions:

• Scholarships
• Provide scholarships to your local high schools
• CERT Programs
• CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) are under the direction of FEMA, and provides community resources during disasters
• Support Road clean-up and maintenance
• This is may seem like a small contribution, but the roadside signs announcing who is responsible for a stretch of road are read by virtually everyone in the community.
Global IP Outsourcing Services Provider in India
Patents had been long identified as most valuable informational source of the technical and competitive informations. During the last few years these have gained a lot more attention. Due to increase in the globalization and competition, it is very important for the companies to protect their innovations and also make their R&D activities more efficient. India is well recognized as a knowledge hub, due to it’s highly talent pool. A lots of IP services providers; emerge in India during the last few years. Most of them have are being started by 2-3 people with their contacts in mostly in US. Now these firms are become the giant in providing specialized IP services. Lots of Indian law professional and law firms are alsohropy or to polish their public image, but as long-term corporate strategy." In particular, this corporate strategy includes increased profitability because the buying public is becoming more and more demanding of the people they do business with. CSR is an excellent opportunity for independent agents to create a unique place in their markets.

What Can You Do?

Certainly, the opportunities for an independent agent to be a high-purpose company differ significantly from the major corporations Christinie Arena writes about in her book. But the reality is that the idea of CSR is hitting a chord in the American public.

Here are some ways to bring the idea of a high-purpose company to your agency:

First, establish a clear vision for your agency

To be a "High-Purpose" agency you must first have a vision. Establishing a clear vision is more than a statement you carve out and put on your wall. Communicating why your agency is in business and where it is going provides staff and customers something to believe in, and buy into.

Invest in your community

In almost 100 agencies I have visited in the past 12 months, I can count on one hand the number of agents that make investing in their community a regular part of how they do business. Do you want your community to invest their trust in your agency? Be the first one to invest. Here are some suggestions:

• Scholarships
• Provide scholarships to your local high schools
• CERT Programs
• CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) are under the direction of FEMA, and provides community resources during disasters
• Support Road clean-up and maintenance
• This is may seem like a small contribution, but the roadside signs announcing who is responsible for a stretch of road are read by virtually everyone in the community.
English Only in the Workplace: Don't be Sued!
There are approximately 35 million Americans that were born in foreign countries. When we compare this with the approximate 285 million Americans across the country we find that approximately 10% of all people living in this country are immigrants. That means foreign languages are a major part of our lives.After each war new legislation is passed in order to either stem or control immigration. In 1891 the Immigration Service was established to deal with the large influx of immigrants after the Civil War. After WWI the federal government again instituted immigration quotas around 1921 to limit impoverished new comers. The 1990’s have seen the larges amount of immigration since the early 1800’s. If the statisticy your agency is in business and where it is going provides staff and customers something to believe in, and buy into.

Invest in your community

In almost 100 agencies I have visited in the past 12 months, I can count on one hand the number of agents that make investing in their community a regular part of how they do business. Do you want your community to invest their trust in your agency? Be the first one to invest. Here are some suggestions:

• Scholarships
• Provide scholarships to your local high schools
• CERT Programs
• CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) are under the direction of FEMA, and provides community resources during disasters
• Support Road clean-up and maintenance
• This is may seem like a small contribution, but the roadside signs announcing who is responsible for a stretch of road are read by virtually everyone in the community.
Create eco-friendly offices

Have you considered how "green" your agency is, and how you can become even more ecologically responsible? Maximizing natural light, controlling the thermostat and recycling are just a few ways to create a more eco-friendly agency.

Provide an annual CSR report to your clients

If you are going to make a commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, then also make a commitment to let your customers know how you value your community. Provide your clients, and possibly even your prospects, with an annual CSR report that outlines your contributions for the year, and your plans for the future.

One of the most significant challenges we face as independent agents is communicating the customer's need for an agent. Corporate Social Responsibility can be an effective way to increase profits, and gain the confidence of your community.

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