People are now more aware than ever about the implications of their choices and the importance of making ethical decisions. They have higher expectations of themselves, their workplaces, their governments, the charities they support, and the businesses they receive goods and services from. This means that a sound Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach is more valuable than ever.
Businesses are recognising the shift towards conscious consumerism and are exploring their role in the current societal landscape by examining their broader responsibilities to the communities in which they operate.
The concept of CSR continues to define the how, why and with whom, when it comes to businesses’ partnerships with charities, NFPs and NGOs.
What is Corporate Responsibility?
According to the Australian Human Rights Commission:
“Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is generally understood to mean that corporations have a degree of responsibility not only for the economic consequences of their activities, but also for the social and environmental implications.”
CSR is often interchangeable with Triple Bottom Line, a term coined in the early ‘90s by John Elkington, a CSR expert and author.
Triple Bottom Line is founded on the idea that every business needs to focus on three bottom lines rather than one:
- People (social)
- Planet (environment)
- Profit (economic)
As an ethical imperative, businesses are acknowledging that apart from providing goods and services, they must take part in caring for the environment and people, not just by following ethical practices but also by actively participating in the preservation of the planet and the betterment of communities.
Aside from the ethical implications, the corporate sector recognises that incorporating CSR to their strategy positively impacts their brand image, and ultimately, their profit margin.
For instance, according to the 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer Report, 69% of people surveyed said their trust in the brands they are buying from is based on concerns about that brand’s impact on society.
The Fred Hollows Foundation and Blackwoods
Blackwoods is Australia’s leading provider of industrial safety products and services with branches located across Australia.
Since 2008, Blackwoods have been a major partner to The Fred Hollows Foundation’s work, supporting our sight-restoring work in Australia.
This partnership reinforces Blackwoods’, and their parent company Wesfarmers’, strong commitment to Reconciliation and increasing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members, suppliers, contractors and the broader community.
By donating a percentage of sales from their Prosafe Eye & Face Protection products, Blackwoods has restored sight and transformed the lives of thousands of people.
Blackwoods customers are delighted to learn that not only are they receiving comfortable, high quality Prosafe safety products, but that a percentage of their purchase is going directly to help close the gap in eye health experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
