Social Impact & Volunteering

Empower Employees to Take Action on the CSR Vision for Business Growth

Blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Company
Apr 18, 2011 3:00 PM ET

Taiga Company blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Compa…

“Everyday, employees across an organization make decisions with far-reaching environmental and social consequences.  Informed decisions about such straightforward matters as procuring a corporate vehicle fleet, programming heating and cooling systems, adjusting energy settings on computers, commuting to work, even purchasing paper, printers or kitchen equipment can reduce a company’s carbon footprint — and save money.” NEEF(2009) The Engaged Organization Corporate Employee Environmental Education

What do Employees Need to Know about Sustainability at Your Company?  What are your employees saying about your organization?  Are they equipped with information and engaged in your company’s business sustainability programs to passionately take eco action on the corporate vision?  While the corporate sustainability plan may be in place as well as corresponding policies and guidelines, there are a multitude of opportunities to communicate the corporate CSR message to employees and integrate it in a way that empowers employees to align daily decision making consistent with the corporate sustainability goals.
 
The post, Fall down 7 times, Stand up 8, suggest, seven is a magic number when it comes to branding; people often need to hear your message that many times before they remember it.  As it relates to employee engagement and a corporate sustainability plan, there are different messaging types an organization can repeatedly share to engage employees with information and create pathways to exercise eco action in daily practice. 
 
•    Engage sustainability leadership at all levels in the business
•    Encourage stakeholder engagement as company culture
•    Link environmental, social and economic responsibility to all business processes
•    Educate and bring eco awareness through ongoing training
•    Rewrite process and procedures to reflect your sustainability initiatives
 
Evidence suggests employee engagement strategies can make a difference in internalizing sustainability and translating high-level commitments into action and results on the ground.  Click here to read more about employee engagement.
 

Home to one third of the earth's trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company's vision to drive similar change in the business world. Taiga Company seeks to be the "oxygen for your business".