We Want to B a Part of the Change – Part One
This blog is part one in a two-part series about corporate social responsibility. Learn more about CSR at the PRSA Hoosier chapter’s next luncheon, Public Relations in the Age of Social Enterprise.
Do you think it is possible for a company to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems? Do you think that it’s possible to achieve this while remaining profitable, growing a brand, and retaining talent? I do.
More than nine in 10 Americans look to companies to support social or environmental issues in some capacity, according to the 2013 Social Impact Study. Furthermore, Americans are more willing to purchase a product with a social or environmental benefit are even willing to pay more to do so and to tell friends and family about the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.
Our agency has seen the effects of this cultural shift both in our own business and playing out in our clients’ stories. I understand that running a marketing and public relations agency isn’t going to save the world, but I’ve always made a conscious decision to make an effort to drive more than just capital. Our company mantra is simple: I want people and clients to do well when they are with Bohlsen Group and to do even better if or when they leave.
So, when I heard about B Corp certification, measuring social and environmental impact for business, I was more than excited. I was moved into action. By voluntarily meeting higher standards of transparency, accountability, and performance, I could make a statement about how I think all companies should operate both internally and externally.
Last year, Bohlsen Group became the only certified B Corporation in Indiana, and we’re proud that other Indiana companies are already following suit. The B Corp certification endorsed what I wanted potential hires, clients, and the community to know about Bohlsen Group. Bohlsen Group is committed to showing the world that not only do we care for the health of the company, but also for the health of its employees, the community and the environment.
Stay tuned for part two in this series about corporate social responsibility. Learn more about CSR at the PRSA Hoosier chapter’s next luncheon, Public Relations in the Age of Social Enterprise.
Vicki Bohlsen is Owner and President of Bohlsen Group, a full-service public relations and advertising agency based in downtown Indianapolis. Connect with us online at www.bohlsengroup.com, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.