Ways to demonstrate and accredit your commitment to responsible business practices is becoming increasingly important, as sceptism and concern arises from companies jumping on the corporate social responsibility bandwagon, as a result of the benefits arising from competitive advantage. The importance of quality standards and accreditation stems from:-
- The need to formally present the credibility and accountability of an organization to prove it can deliver and /or offer the services or goods it claims to.
- To measure and record both soft and hard outputs, social, environmental and economic tangible/tangible qualities.
- To establish a benchmark to help identify best practice.
- To recognize efficiency, and identify area for improvement or development as a means for an organization to progress or expand its role.
Attention is therefore being placed on methods of benchmarking and accounting for the impact of social responsible practices. Social Auditing and Accounting is the new complement to Financial Auditing and Accounting.
Social audit tools are being implemented to monitor the processes and impacts that are taking place as a result of its responsible approach, and this in return provides evidence of a company's commitment to responsibility, to its consumers, suppliers and employees. Similar to financial practices, the process of measuring the direct and indirect impact of implementing responsible practices, will measure and record the direct benefits, social responsibility can have on the bottom line of a business.Social Audit Tools, include:-
The value of collecting evidence, contributes to:
- Management Performance � Collecting quantitative data such as numbers of clients attending services or purchasing products.
- Strategic Planning - Customer Satisfaction � Collating qualitative research data on how the customer needs were met and the relative impact of the service/product on their lifestyle.
- Competitive Advantage - Product/Service Research � Brand Profile, Competitor Analysis, Supply Chain Management, Innovative Design, Processes and Production.
The evidence can feed into, firstly the production of an Annual Report measuring Corporate Social Responsibility or Community Impact - The Report can be produced alongside the business's annual financial report, for the benefit of shareholders, employees and future business associates. This is a necessity for new companies registered as a Community Interest Company.
Secondly, the evidence can contribute to achieving a Quality Standard Mark, which rewards the company for its achievements and commitment to the environment, community and employees.
Below we have identified a number of quality standard marks, which are tailored to recognise the impact of small businesses.
Community Mark
Community Mark is a national standard that has been designed specifically for small and medium sized businesses to:
- Recognise the involvement of small and medium sized businesses in their local community in a tangible & practical way.
- Provide a model to help businesses maximise their impact on the community, whilst drawing out the commercial benefits of their community involvement.
- Help businesses to effectively integrate their community programme into their business planning.
Others Include
Investors In People - Commitment to Management and Employee Development.
Green Mark - Commitment to the Environment
The SEE Stamp - An accrediation for socially, environmentally and ethically responsible business. It distinguishes companies that actually are responsible from those that merely claim to be.
Soil Association Organic Standard - Commitment to Organic Production and Processing
