Building corporate responsibility through an economic downturn

On Monday 29 September business leaders gathered in Bristol to see for themselves some of the employability challenges facing the young homeless in the city and how their company’s skills and experience can make a real difference to their communities.

Corporate Responsibility is more important than it has ever been in today’s economic climate.  A business that takes into consideration its social impact and works with its communities is both managing risk and establishing its competitive edge.

Tony Cherry, Partner at Beachcroft LLP, led The Prince’s Seeing is Believing visit,  a Business in the Community initiative which shows senior business people the most urgent challenges facing their communities and some of the ways in which their employees and organisations can have a positive impact.

Burges Salmon LLP, Ginsters, KPMG and TLT Solicitors are a few of the companies that also took part in the Seeing is Believing visit, hoping to learn how their organisations can forge better relationships with community partners and get more young homeless people into sustainable employment.

The morning event included visits to Wayahead and Priority Youth Housing giving business delegates an insight into the difficulties, barriers and challenges facing young people that are out of work.  They had the chance to meet young people living at a hostel as well as see first hand how companies can work with Business Action on Homelessness to unlock the talent and improve the aspirations, skills and quality of life of unemployed young people.

Tony Cherry comments; “Corporate Responsibility is more important than it has ever been in today’s economic climate.  A business that takes into consideration its social impact and works with its communities is both managing risk and establishing its competitive edge.

“Through addressing a key issue – youth homelessness – businesses can help to shape society by  building the skills of their communities and widening their own talent pool.  Also, by carefully managing their own resources and community impact objectives, they can look at focusing on volunteering and in-kind support, as opposed to cash donations and sponsorship.  Staff volunteering can, for example, develop skills, raise employee satisfaction and positively impact on retention rates.  

“So why continue to be a responsible business?” Tony concludes; “ It simply makes good business sense.”