Benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility
A new survey by Mercer Canada found that Canadian businesses are increasing their focus on social responsibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disparity and protests against racial injustice. According to the survey, 65 per cent of Canadian HR leaders believe their companies have continued or increased their environmental and social efforts since the start of the pandemic.
Organizations are also stepping up their health and benefits plans, with 53 per cent of Canadian companies offering more remote access for mental and emotional health services. In addition, half of the organizations surveyed are training managers to better spot mental health issues.
Employee Benefits
While being a socially responsible organization does come at a price—higher material and labour costs—there is a high return for being a good corporate citizen. Employees are often drawn to organizations that exemplify responsible behaviour. In fact, a report by Hewitt and Associates found that “corporate social responsibility can improve the bottom line, in part, by giving the most engaged employees a reason to stay and work harder.” Creating an engaged workforce can also minimize costly employee turnover.
Consumer Benefits
Customer loyalty can also be an added benefit for socially responsible organizations. When a company shows that it cares about the community, planet and future, consumers and the public are more likely to have a positive image of the business. In addition, a Cone Communications CSR study found that 88 per cent of consumers will remain loyal to a company that supports social or environmental issues.
For more information on the benefits of corporate social responsibility, contact The Hull Group today.
Tips for Virtual Meetings
Nearly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic that forced organizations to transition from in-person to virtual, online video meetings have become a fatiguing chore for many. To keep employees from tuning out during mundane virtual meetings, it’s important for organizational leaders to make meetings engaging and productive.
The Need for Virtual Meetings
Before the pandemic, 82 per cent of Canadian employees worked primarily from an external workplace, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers Canada. Nowadays, 59 per cent are working remotely, making the need for virtual meetings unavoidable.
Keep your virtual meetings engaging with the following tips:
- Keep it concise—Make meetings succinct by setting and keeping an agenda to keep the meeting from dragging on.
- Incorporate different elements—People learn and retain information in different ways. Create a virtual experience that caters to all styles of learning by utilizing different visual and audio elements that will keep your audience’s attention.
- Give everyone the opportunity to connect—The pandemic has interfered with the social interactions of many, and people miss the chance to connect with co-workers. Having time to check in and catch up on occasion can also be beneficial for employees.
- Utilize chat rooms or polls—Not everyone learns by being talked at, and not everyone is comfortable speaking up during virtual meetings. Use chat rooms or polls to create a two-way dialogue with meeting attendees. In addition, breakout rooms can allow for more focused and intimate conversations during meetings.
Virtual meetings are here to stay and can be an effective tool for keeping teams on track and connected. For more information, contact The Hull Group today.
