Eight top reasons to become a socially responsible business

Savvy consumers are speaking out. They want companies to create ways for them to participate positively on a socially responsible level through simple business transactions. This global consumer study done in 2009 by Edelman* sheds some light on the matter:

1. 83 percent of consumers are willing to change their consumption habits if it will impact the world positively;
2. 82 percent prefer to support a good cause as it makes them feel better about themselves;
3. 67 percent would switch brands if a brand of similar quality supported a good cause;
4. 66 percent of people globally think it’s not good enough for a corporation to simply give money to a good cause – they need to integrate good causes into their everyday business;
5. 65 percent have more trust in a brand that is ethically and socially responsible;
6. 64 percent would recommend a brand that supports a good cause;
7. 63 percent of consumers want brands to make it easier for them to make a positive difference in the world; and
8. 61 percent have bought a brand that supported a good cause, even though it was more expensive.

Take time to reflect on these statistics and ask yourself, “What am I doing in my business that can impact my community or world positively?” Be creative, make partnerships and come up with innovative ways of being a socially responsible business…it’ll be worth the effort!

*statistics provided by Edelman Global Consumer Study – www.edelman.com

By Cathy Yeomans, Imagine Public Relations, White Rock, BC, imaginepr@shaw.ca