Developing a Corporate Social Mindset is a Journey

The most successful companies today – Microsoft, Levi’s and others – have realized that “doing good” can’t just be the purview of corporate social responsibility and marketing/communications. Through research and one-on-one interviews with many of the leaders of these efforts, we’ve identified the eight traits a company needs to develop an authentic corporate social mind. 

Trait 1: A BUSINESS WITH A CORPORATE SOCIAL MIND DECIDES WITH SOCIETY IN MIND

Leadership has the issue of societal benefit on the table in all its decisions, all the time. 

Trait: 2 A BUSINESS WITH A CORPORATE SOCIAL MIND LIVES ITS VALUES

A company’s values express every employee’s commitment to caring for the community and working toward an improved world.

Trait 3: A BUSINESS WITH A CORPORATE SOCIAL MIND USES RESOURCES FOR SOCIETY’S BENEFIT

Companies use their intellectual, social, financial, and emotional capital to drive ideas that advance societal progress.

Trait 4: A BUSINESS WITH A CORPORATE SOCIAL MIND LISTENS BEFORE ACTING

Companies listen to society before driving innovation and implementation.  

Trait 5: A BUSINESS WITH A CORPORATE SOCIAL MIND HAS A SOCIAL VOICE

Along with transparency, having an authentic voice on societal issues is vital to ensuring consumers, the public, and stakeholders understand a company’s views.  

Trait 6: A BUSINESS WITH A CORPORATE SOCIAL MIND LEADS SOCIAL COLLECTIVES

Companies lead and engage by driving the agenda of social-issue collectives.

Trait 7: A BUSINESS WITH A CORPORATE SOCIAL MIND MEASURES SOCIAL IMPACT

Companies measure the impact of their decisions on all aspects of society, as well as on their business.

Trait 8: A BUSINESS WITH A CORPORATE SOCIAL MIND INNOVATES FOR SOCIAL GOOD

All innovations address both a consumer/business and social need.

We also break down how to embed all these traits into the company’s operations and decision-making structures and work together simultaneously.

It’s a dialogue – among different values, stakeholders and motivations – that is crucial to future success with stakeholders. 

The Corporate Social Mind: How Companies Lead Social Change from the Inside Out will get you started. Additionally, we are available to help you apply its principles to your organization. To make a request for a speaking engagement, visit the Speaking section of thecorporatesocialmind.com

Authentic corporate social issue involvement is a journey that requires leadership with a particular mindset. Believe us, it’s worth it. 

Using your voice to leverage social change around an issue can be an enormous asset to a cause. When used in combination with your other assets, the sky’s the limit to what can be achieved – for you and for the cause.