Corporate Responsibility Rides Out the Recession - Investment in People and Training Key for 2010

Despite a difficult economic environment and companies cutting costs throughout their businesses, a surprising number of companies saw corporate responsibility as a priority and, in fact, are expanding their commitments.

According to a survey by Boston College's Center for Corporate Citizenship, corporate responsibility is here to stay, with half of companies surveyed believing it will 'become more critical to corporate reputation and business success.'

The US recovery is being influenced via a nationwide social, business and community rebuilding mobilization. Sustainability development and social responsibility is continuing to provide the foundation for infrastructure redevelopment, empowering employees, restoring trust and confidence in business.

The growth of ethical consumerism is also impacting reputation and stakeholder engagement, forcing companies to further align sustainable program development with business strategy and integration throughout their organizations.

In fact, according to a report issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers, more than half - 62 % - of consumers bought because they liked the social or political values of the company. Nearly half of Americans said protecting the environment should be given priority over economic growth….and comes in the midst of a recession.

To be sure, companies continue to evaluate their program costs, business priorities and many reduce sustainability investments. We are not out of the woods yet.

2010 Predictions from Founder of Reputation Dynamics, Sam Taylor:

According to a Climb the Green Ladder Survey, 80% say they are willing to take actions that support sustainability at work. Yet, only 1 in 10 say they have the training and knowledge they need to make their workplaces more sustainable.

• Attract, retain and motivate talent by creating sustainability champions: Train your workforce to innovate and advance sustainability solutions. Education is a catalyst that produces the entrepreneurs, technologists, thinkers, knowledge workers, teachers, and leaders who collectively make it possible for economies and individuals to prosper – and – create our future generation of leaders.
• Embrace the power of social media: Web 2.0 and collaborative technologies are transforming the work environment, business operations, delivery and transparency of corporate responsibility. Technological advancements offer tremendous opportunities to make a positive change in how companies approach business, economic and societal challenges.
• Protect thy reputation: Continue to align social innovation and sustainable development with the business model, stakeholders and integral to reputation management.
• Maximize monetary commitments: Forge deeper partnerships with non-profit social and environmental actors – NGOs, (UN Agencies, development agencies). Healthcare, poverty, education and workplace development are among top causes in need. Companies have a timely opportunity to collaborate with some new and innovative non-profit/NGOs who are in the trenches addressing key causes.
• End poverty in Africa: Support a project called the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. These eight goals, which the UN hopes to achieve by 2015, include reducing extreme poverty by half, halting the spread of AIDS and ensuring universal primary education. More information - http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/

In conclusion: Now is the time to invest in our people and communities to mitigate environmental impact and promote societal advancement. The case for companies to do this has never been more compelling.

In 2010, Reputation Dynamics can help you align corporate responsibility with reputation management and performance:

• Strategic review and evaluation of your responsibility programs and impact
• Design and implementation of sustainable programs aligned with business objectives - including diversity and workplace initiatives
• Customized training programs to energize teams, develop a stronger employee culture and reinforce management's commitment
• Experiential marketing and story telling
• Develop grassroots education and community mobilization campaigns
• Identity and form deeper partnerships with nonprofit/NGO organizations
• Strategic briefing to your leadership and employees

Stay tuned for our blog facelift in 2010. Thanks for your support and your contributions to society.

By Sam Taylor.

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Reputation Dynamics forms Partnership with Elevate Destinations to Offer World Cup Community Touring in South Africa

Reputation Dynamics, in partnership with Elevate Destinations, is providing several customized community tour options to complement travelers' experiences at the South Africa World Cup. The touring will introduce travelers to some of the issues and challenges prevalent in South African communities, as well as introduce innovative non-profit organizations seeking to make a positive impact. Tours can be organized for a minimum of 1 or 2 days or longer.

Sample excursions include touring community projects in the historic Soweto area with former great soccer players such as Andre Arendse and Linda Buthelezi; a visit to the Boland Athletics Club, to meet with disadvantaged kids from the townships and farm areas around the Boland in Capetown; and a trip to Indigo Skate Park, situated in the Valley of a Thousand Hills in Durban – a rural area where skateboarding has brought hope to the community.

10% of tour costs will be donated to local communities and non-profits.

Key non-profit partners for this initiative are: The Sports Trust, which has sponsored more than 200 projects throughout South Africa and has mounted a campaign to distribute 20,000 soccer shoes before the World Cup, to disadvantaged children who cannot participate in the sport for lack of footwear; the Ubuntu Institute, a non-profit organization in South Africa founded by Cedza Dlamini (Nelson Mandela's grandson), which looks at the role of culture, heritage and indigenous knowledge systems in achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Africa; and Uthando South Africa, which supports a broad range of grass roots, community-based projects with substantial and enduring value to the most destitute and marginalized communities in South Africa.

Founded in 2005, Elevate Destinations is a leading global sustainable travel company offering customized adventures to travelers' seeking to explore and impact the environmental, socio-cultural and economic conditions of the places they visit. Key markets include Africa, India, Latin America and South East Asia.

Further information:

E: sam@elevatedestinations.com - 212 979 6092.

http://www.elevatedestinations.com/

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