People don’t just want to save money. Even in the current climate where everyone’s finding it a little harder to get by financially, today’s consumers want more than just good value for money. Increasingly, consumers demand more from the companies that do business with, especially in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS). They want to know that businesses are run by people with consciences. People who care about more than turning a profit. And many, especially those of the millennial generation, are prepared to pay more for products that are more sustainably sourced or made and sold by businesses that care.
But in a time when it’s all you can do to keep your head above water operationally, how can you turn things around, and give your business an ethical overhaul? It’s not something you can do overnight. However, you may find that simply drawing attention to what you’re already doing can improve your ethical credentials in the eyes of consumers. Which is why you should use your content marketing and social media presence to your advantage and show customers the great stuff you’re doing already as well as ethical changes.
Treat your employees well
Obviously, this is its own reward. When employees are well looked after, well remunerated, and well motivated you’re less likely to have issues with voluntary turnover which can reduce the quality of care that customers expect from you, as well as incurring a lot of expense in recruiting, training and onboarding their replacements.
What’s more, when employees leave positive reviews on Glassdoor or your Google My Business page, consumers can see that you’re the kind of employer that cares for and values their workforce. And that counts for a lot.
Show religious sensitivity
Even in this enlightened age, religious minorities can feel underrepresented in your market, if not outright discriminated against. If you work in the food industry, for instance, even little things like getting your products certified by the American Halal Foundation or the Kosher Certification agency can open up your products to huge markets. Even little things like celebrating a wide range of religious holidays on your social media feeds can make a huge difference.
Check the sustainability of your supply chain
Sustainability matters to consumers. And there’s no such thing as too much transparency in the digital age. Consumers expect you to source your products from ethical, sustainable and fair trade sources. What’s more, they expect to see a commitment to ethics and sustainability represented in your supply chain. So now’s the perfect time to start looking at your relationship with your suppliers and seeing if there are more ethically minded alternatives out there.
Rethink how you handle your waste
Finally, what you do with your waste says a lot about your company. Especially when it comes to electronic waste that can be extremely hazardous to the environment when it’s put into landfill. Obviously recycling plays a part here. But the most eco-friendly solution to waste is not to create it in the first place. The good news is that there are always ways to reduce business waste in your operation.
