CSR can make a difference in choosing a brand
CSR, better known as Corporate Social Responsibility has become so important that it can be the final essential aspect in the decision making process of a (potential) customer. CSR stands for not only 'taking' from the community but also giving something back! This great awareness that has became so important deserves some extra insights in what it is really about and how YOU can also help to make a difference!
For years and years humans have been destroying and simply abusing the planet. This is nothing new as we are all informed about the causes of 'Global heating' or what about cutting down all the rainforests in the Amazon, or even the becoming extinct of certain animal species > simply because we took away their living environment or we exiled their main food sources.
I must sounds like a real 'tree-hugger' right now (=well intentioned nickname for people that are completely green and would climb in a tree to protect it from being cut down.) Although I have great respect for the endless commitment of these people, I was hoping we can approach this topic from another perspective.
This perspective would be...US! Yes, we are the future of the planet and it would not hurt anyone to know a little bit more about how we can reduce the extent of how we are polluting the planet.
Currently they have a new promotional campaign in the Netherlands. So people will start separating their plastic (next to can, glass and paper). Not only do you save lots of money on trash-bags (which actually cost a lot in the Netherlands as you can only use the official green or orange ones to put your trash on the street for the governmental authorities to recollect them) - even more important and personally rewarding is that you are helping to improve the environment! It does not take up a lot of time, you save money and you are helping the planet = all the right reasons to get started right now!
I am quite proud of our small country. We are very much involved in CSR (Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen, as it is called in Dutch) and I believe it is also our obligation to do something in return or to use our (financial and/or physical) power to do something in return for the less fortunate.
CSR is also unmissable in the corporate strategies of well established brands. Technology has made it possible that the newest products are nearly ressemblies of each other, which makes it even harder for consumers to choose which one is the best. Nowadays people start choosing with their hearts: It does not feel right to eat a kind of chocolate that is made by little children that are forced to work day-in, day-out without having the right to play.* (* Right to Play is also the organization that is connected to the 'Han-Kan marathon' on the 10th of May 2009: www.hankanmarathon.nl - they will donate €1,- for each participating contestant in order to allow every child in the world 'The Right to Play') So with our ability to quickly exchange information via internet we have the freedom and intelligence to find out more about specific brands. This is why CSR can make a big difference in choosing a brand nowadays.
Not everyone feels the same about it, which is normal as cultures are very different and each country treats this topic differently. My dream is that our whole separating system that we have in the Netherlands would one day be present all over the world! The environment would be a lot cleaner and since everything is easily separable and recyclable the wrappings and packagings will go down in price = win-win situation once again!
I personally feel great if I get the opportunity to help someone. This could simply be allowing someone to enter first; holding the door open when an elderly approaches; helping someone with heavy luggage on the bus/train or being complaisant in everyday traffic...O.k, a real 'tree-hugger' would say: "go by bicycle or on foot" - unfortunately I am a great fan of (green label!) cars, but I am convinced that if everyone would be a little more friendly on the roads that it would be a lot more comfortable to drive. Be an example and you will see that next time someone else will give you way-to-go and you can be the one who is surprised by the gentleness of human kind. However, if you want to improve the world > START WITH YOURSELF, profile yourself as a good example and if possible start today! It really does give you a good feeling to do good - you will see!
