THE GIVING BACK GUIDEA LOCAL BUSINESS GUIDE on the benefits of giving back to the community.

2HOW YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS CAN GIVE BACKAs we enter the holiday season, how will your business give back to the community? Here are some tips for how and why your local business should give back and participate in Corporate Social Responsibility.

3What is Corporate Social Responsibility?Corporate Social Responsibility (or CSR) encompasses everything a company does to uphold ethical standards or partake in charitable or philanthropic efforts.

Ethical Standards:

Ethical standards in a business come down to how you treat your employees and where youre sourcing your products from. Its a lot easier for small businesses to uphold these ethical standards because there is a much smaller chain for ethical decisions to be made. Smaller or local businesses are much less likely to come under fire for their ethical standards, but that doesnt mean upholding them isnt important.

Philanthropic Efforts:

Why is local important when it comes to philanthropy? So many reasons! One big reason is the money and life it pumps back into local communities. When building community is at the foundation of what you do, its important to consider the role your business plays within it. There are ways only you can give back to the community, and it benefits everyone when you do.

4Why Does CSR Matter?

79% of consumers believe companies that stay true to their ethics and values outperform others in their field.

Consumers rate company ethics and CSR as their second highest priority when considering a prospective employer, only salary was rated higher.

Is CSR really worth your time while youre busy running an awesome local business? In short: Yes! Customers are resoundingly more likely to buy from, and show loyalty to, ethically responsible businesses. And, as you draw in more customers, you are also drawing more attention to your cause.

69% of consumers with children are likely to invest in a company well-known for its corporate social responsibility program40% without children would also invest in a company known for its CSR efforts.

81% of consumers are more likely to purchase from corporations that are active in philanthropic efforts year-round as opposed to only in times of need.

Ethical Standards: Philanthropic Efforts:

IN OTHER WORDS . . . CSR is not only an amazing way to make a difference and benefit local charities, but it also keeps your employees happy and drives more customers to love your business: Its a Win-Win!

5The Millennial DrawWhile CSR has always been important, its becoming increasingly more so among millennials. Young people are more geared toward social responsibility, and this is reflected in both their buying choices and where they seek employment.

82%

92%

82%

millennials believe companies that stay true to their ethics/values outperform others in their field.

millennials are more likely to purchase from an ethical company.

millennials are likely to seek employment at a company that has been publicly awarded for its ethics, compared with 68% of people over 35 who said they would seek employment in an ethical company.

Even if you dont cater toward millennials right now, you will one day, so bearing in mind what they care about is important.

6How Can I Implement CSR in My Local Business?Chances are, as a local business, youre already upholding high ethical standards. All you really need to do is highlight that!

And when it comes to charity, the opportunities to help out are endless! But, it also depends on what kind of business you run and how you harness all the services that you have to offer.

Regardless of whether you run a restaurant, a salon, or an auto-repair shop, you can tap into

local charities and causes and find ways to help.

For example, you can organize a volunteer program within your business where you and your employees visit your charity of choice to actively help out.

If it isnt possible for you to sacrifice work hours, you can always organize an internal drive. Food collections, donation boxes and fundraising efforts will all help make a difference without taking up too much of your business and your employees time!

Source: Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility Fact Sheet

Theres so much you can do, and any act (big or small!) will make a difference. It doesnt have to be huge, but just by doing it, youre engaging in CSR, and your customers will love to hear about it!

Let everyone know by posting your efforts on social

media. If its important to you, itll be exciting to the people who see it.

2015 Main Street Hub