How to implement a CSR approach in your company?

What is a CSR approach?

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – also known as Corporate Social Responsibility – refers to the integration of social, environmental and sustainable development issues by the company. CSR therefore allows the company to respond to the current problems of society, while improving its performance and meeting the expectations of all stakeholders: from employees to customers, suppliers and other partners.

A CSR approach in companies is defined through three main axes:

● Environmental: co-responsible markets, energy consumption reduction, waste management, greenhouse gas emission reduction , etc.

● Social: respect for employees' rights, improving quality between employees, combating discrimination, ensuring safety at work, etc.

● Economic: customer/consumer satisfaction, introduction of fair pricing, promotion of short supply chains/local suppliers, transparency with investors, etc.

Based on these axes, the company must therefore implement a CSR strategy in order to contribute to sustainable development issues, have a positive impact on society while remaining economically viable.

Why implement a CSR approach?

Implementing a CSR approach within your company has many benefits.

Environmental impact

As explained above, one of the major axes of CSR is to respond to sustainable development issues. A theme at the heart of our society today. A CSR policy allows the company to become aware of the consequences of its activity on the environment.

It can thus identify the main impacts – waste generation, resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, etc. – and put in place a strategy to limit them and measure the results obtained.

Cost reduction

As a direct consequence of the implementation of the CSR approach, a reduction in energy and resource consumption logically leads to a reduction in costs for the company. A gain in profitability beyond the only environmental impact.

Improving employee well-being

Employees are generally sensitive to CSR initiatives. Like quality of life at work, it may be relevant to involve employees in the process of defining the CSR strategy in order to involve them. Collaborative work on economic, social and environmental issues will motivate employees, who are real actors of change in their company. And as we know, happy and involved employees are more committed and productive employees.

A positive image of the company

If this is not the main objective, a CSR policy is also very favorable for the image of the company. A responsible and committed brand enjoys the trust of its customers or consumers, and develops a strong identity.

This is also felt in terms of attractiveness. Companies that have implemented CSR initiatives are more likely to attract applications from young graduates. You can therefore communicate – with measure – on all the actions put in place.

5 steps to implement a CSR approach in companies

Implementing an effective CSR approach within your company requires following certain steps.

1. Appoint a project manager

The first step to take before implementing a CSR approach in the company is to appoint a project manager. A responsibility that can even become a full-time position for large companies.

Ideally, it is preferable to appoint an employee concerned and motivated by this mission, who gives great interest to the axes carried by CSR. In addition, the project manager must obviously know the company perfectly, but also master transversal management and have a great sense of communication and interpersonal skills to carry out his missions.

2. Conduct an audit

Another important step in the implementation of a CSR approach is to carry out a double audit. On the one hand, the situation of the company before the implementation of a strategy in order to target areas for improvement. On the other, an audit of the measures taken in similar companies.

It is also essential to communicate about this project both internally with all employees, and externally, with customers, suppliers and partners.

3. Visit the CSR Platform website

To implement a CSR approach in companies, it can be interesting to be accompanied and advised. To do this, you can seek advice from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI).

But it is also possible to visit the CSR Platform website proposed by the State since 2013. In particular, you will be able to get answers to your questions about the implementation of a CSR policy, and help for the construction of your project.

4. Develop your strategy

All the preliminary work will allow you to develop the most objective CSR strategy adapted to the situation and needs of the company in environmental, economic and social terms.

This strategy will result in an action plan, ranked in order of priority, for example, and led by the project manager. It is important to define an allocated budget that will make it possible to define precisely the number of actions over the year and the pace at which they can be carried out.

5. Use the Impact Platform

Another site proposed by the State: the Impact platform. This service allows you to share the actions and results obtained as part of your CSR approach. A way to enhance your actions, to obtain, if necessary, support, and to demonstrate total transparency with regard to your employees, your customers and all your external partners.