How your company’s social responsibility impacts sustainability

These days, it is imperative that companies recognise their responsibility to society. Large corporates can have an incredible impact on sustainability – whether it’s at economic, environmental or community level. By getting involved with the communities that they operate within and providing resources for ongoing development and improvement, companies help ensure the country’s stability. A stable country has the potential for future growth that benefits all – communities, the environment, economics and business.

This is made even more apparent when one looks at the situation in the reverse. A country that is unstable, and hence not sustainable, for example, a country at war, suffers economically and socially, and there is certainly no effort to sustain environmental resources.

Although this may be an extreme example; we are certainly not a country at war; the fact remains that economic, environmental and social conditions have a vital impact on sustainability. And companies that have the resources to drive sustainability in the country where they do business have a responsibility to do so, through their programmes.

By having a positive social impact, companies can help nurture and sustain local communities. A country that has healthy communities tends to be more stable and has more potential for future growth in every arena.

Corporate social responsibility is not just about tax deductions and a bragging page on the company website. This kind of thinking is inherently flawed. Companies need to realise how social, environmental and economic factors are all intertwined when it comes to sustainability. Communities with stable social and educational structures are more likely to protect natural resources. Living in a healthy and pleasant environment affects social and mental well-being. Social stability has a direct effect on economic stability. When these factors come into play the result is a sustainable country where business can thrive in the future.

So how exactly can businesses help? Companies that have a direct effect on natural resources such as mining, construction and manufacturing should ensure that their environmental policies minimise negative impact. Often industries also develop communities of their own: think of the towns that are established near mining operations. Providing quality, basic health care is essential. These communities can be assisted through social outreach programmes to provide education on everything from HIV/AIDS to environmental awareness. Even something as simple as teaching reading skills to industrial workers and their families is of enormous benefit to individuals and communities.

So how can your company make a difference? By becoming a Stimulus Maksima! corporate social investment partner to provide learning and reading skills education in your local community.

Stimulus Maksima! provides an educational system that assists learners to develop core reading and mathematical skills through computer-aided learning. By becoming a corporate social investment partner, companies can engage in a social corporate responsibility programme that has a huge positive impact, either by sponsoring local schools or by improving the lives of employees. The programme helps to develop learning skills that are essential in all areas of school and work. It is suitable for both school going children and to increase adult literacy. In addition to contributing to social well-being, Stimulus Maksima! corporate social investment partners also receive other benefits such as online exposure, at launching events and in the media.

To find out more about becoming a Stimulus Maksima! corporate social investment partner, do not hesitate to get in touch with us today.