Corporate Community Relations
Being known as an active part of supporting the community
Corporate community relations means big business reaching out to the local area, as well as small companies integrating into their neighborhood.
Truly, perhaps the most differentiating sign of a great office is this community involvement factor. A great office is known to the surrounding areas as a good corporate citizen with active corporate community relations.
What does that mean? GET OUT THERE!
Business and society do not necessarily go hand in hand. Some public issues require a position statement, and that can polarize the community against a business.
But a great company tackles that dilemma, builds local relationships and makes a connection. The payoff is a company that is seen as a civic supporter, one that performs community outreach, and one that exemplifies social responsibility. And you do not have to take on all the thorny issues to be seen as an positive influence.
Corporate Citizenship
As stated in Forbes.com:
“Chucking a few dollars at the
pet charity of the chairman's wife no longer cuts it as corporate
philanthropy, if it ever did. Nor does using corporate philanthropy as
PR or window dressing to mollify critics, or even roping off a slice of
profits to be dispensed for good works.
“The definition of a company and its involvement in wider society is expanding, as is the expectations of shareholders, employees and consumers. Traditional corporate social responsibility is starting to be replaced with a new notion of corporate citizenship, which for larger companies means global corporate citizenship.
“The social and corporate agenda is being integrated, and often involves partnership with other companies, government and nongovernmental organizations--which is a challenge to those who hold to the traditional narrow economic definition of a company as an entity that is meant to maximize profits for shareholders.”
“The definition of a company and its involvement in wider society is expanding, as is the expectations of shareholders, employees and consumers. Traditional corporate social responsibility is starting to be replaced with a new notion of corporate citizenship, which for larger companies means global corporate citizenship.
“The social and corporate agenda is being integrated, and often involves partnership with other companies, government and nongovernmental organizations--which is a challenge to those who hold to the traditional narrow economic definition of a company as an entity that is meant to maximize profits for shareholders.”
Well said.
An effort in strategic philanthropy can also help secure long-term business with the surrounding areas. It can be pure charity, or it can be something more strategic, such as finding a way to improve company PR in a critical neighborhood by volunteering on projects in or near the neighbrhood. Only good can come from that.
In summary – great offices know how to integrate into their community through employee activities, and company-sponsored events, visible improvements, support of charities.
If your heart is in it, then this activity is effortless
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