Millennials care about a wide selection of social causes, and demonstrating that you care, too, can earn you respect from your millennial employees, as well as from your community. By showing that your organization stands for something and has a commitment to doing good, you attract employees that care about the same things.
Volunteering, supporting charities and encouraging your employees to do the same engages millennials on the hunt for workplaces that demonstrate a strong corporate responsibility factor. This week, I’ve been reading about how leaders can improve corporate social responsibility internally and externally to attract millennial employees.
Doing Well And Doing Good — How The CEO of KIND Snacks Is Reinventing Leadership via Forbes: “In my own experience as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist, I believe kindness is one of the most powerful, yet underutilized leadership approaches. When you create a culture based genuinely on making a positive impact on the world and each other, creativity and morale skyrocket. Being kind to customers, the environment and suppliers can also drive big performance gains, contrary to popular belief.”
6 Tips for Launching a Powerful Social Responsibility Program via Inc: “Get your clients and customers involved in your cause. Customers want and expect brands to be involved on social issues; nearly half of Millennials reported in a recent report by The Boston Consulting Group that they ‘try to use brands of companies that are active in supporting social causes’…Don’t hesitate to encourage and promote employee participation in your charitable initiative. Research indicates that when employees participate in programs that matter to them, their relationship with the company is strengthened and they re-dedicate themselves to their own work roles.”
The Most Overlooked Strategy for Business Development via Entrepeneur: “Volunteering for nonprofits you believe in is a great way to help others. But it’s also a win-win, with real business benefits to you. If you can figure out how to live out your values in every aspect of your business, the relationships you build as a result will be among the strongest and best you have, because they’re founded on a shared commitment to something larger than yourself.”
Building a Socially Responsible Company: From the CEO to the Front Desk via Triple Pundit: “To execute a profitable business model that addresses big social problems, you need to hire the right people. You need people who are creative and dedicated enough to take on the challenge of building a business that’s committed to a social mission. The demand for jobs at companies that serve a larger purpose is growing, especially as more Millennials enter the workforce. Keeping social responsibility at the core of your company’s daily functions will prove to be an incredibly useful recruitment, engagement and retention tool. Although it might take some adjustment to build social responsibility into your already established company culture, it will lead to a better business in the long run — trust me.”
Doing Well and Good: Driving Loyalty through Corporate Social Responsibility via Imaginasium: “Even strong CSR companies have hiccups. Starbucks has been making the news recently with their efforts to encourage a discussion about race in their “Race Together” campaign. Baristas were charged with writing #racetogether on cups to encourage dialogue around the issue of racism. Outcry ensued, as customers and opponents felt that a rushed transaction to purchase coffee was not the forum to bring about a deep, social conversation. Opponents also felt that Starbucks staff were not in the appropriate position to bring up dialogue on such a sensitive issue. This tactic was only a small part of a bigger strategy, but shows the importance of ensuring every aspect of your plan aligns with the values and abilities of your internal and external stakeholders.”
What’s your organization doing to create corporate social responsibility? Leave an answer in the comments!
