This is the first article in a series that will demonstrate how you can improve your business without preaching about saving the planet or becoming a charitable saint, but do your best if that matters to you.

A definition of Corporate Social Responsibility is:

“Balancing economic, environmental, and social impacts while maximizing profits. It’s entirely up to you what your break-even point is. The key to remember is that by considering all three, you can make your business more profitable and better for those around you.” they work there, their suppliers, their customers, their community and the environment”.

Think of CSR as an ethic that helps you make decisions rather than a variety of do-gooders, and you’ve already learned a valuable lesson.

I have spent years talking to smaller companies and trying to understand what will make a difference for them. His response is almost always ‘What’s in it for me?’ My answer is more profits, increased longevity, integrity, and a smile.

Here is a list of quick wins you can make today, at little or no cost, that can have a tangible impact:

1. Drop the ‘C’ word from CSR!

The phrase Corporate Social Responsibility has been around for a while and is often confused with other terms such as sustainability, corporate citizenship, responsible business conduct, ethical business, environment, philanthropy, charity, etc. They all mean slightly different things, but obsessing over the terminology is missing the point at this stage.

It’s just good business practice that focuses on areas that, especially for smaller businesses, aren’t at the center of their business radar. Think of this as the beginning of a process that will open your vision to risks and opportunities that you can begin to manage more efficiently and gain an advantage over your competitors.
These tips apply to all small and medium-sized businesses, regardless of their product or service.

2. Don’t get sucked into a price war

Competing solely on price is a dangerous game and should not be played by the faint-hearted. It should aim to win and retain customers by providing a perception of added value. If you charge the same price as your competitor, why would they buy from you? Even the smallest companies have a brand. What does yours say?

3. Check those energy bills

The finance department pays bills for many companies without regularly checking the accountant. I know of a company that was owed over £30,000 because the meter was being read in the wrong units! It’s worth reading for yourself, checking your rate and checking your bills.

A green rate would be better and they are becoming much more competitive on price.

We all know that power is used while the computer is in standby mode. Even if something doesn’t have a little red light and a formal standby mode, it could still be using power while plugged in.

In the UK, recent figures suggest that on average businesses waste 20% of their energy. What is 20% of your energy bill?

4. Use recycled paper

What’s in there for me? – Nowadays, recycled paper can be as good as normal paper and at a similar price. Ok, but what’s in it for me? – You can do it effortlessly, your staff will appreciate it (even if they say they’re skeptical) and any visitor will notice if they see the packages as they walk through the office. The question really should be ‘Why not do it?’

This rule is more about the thought process and you can apply it to anything you buy. Is there a recycled option at a comparable price? Just ask.

5. Charities and good causes
Make a charity work for you! This is not as mercenary as it may seem.

We are encouraging mutual benefit through a bit of relationship building. Do you have spare resources, i.e. staff downtime, scrap materials, or access to media that you could trade for access to free contacts or PR? Support good causes, but don’t just hand over a check.

Almost every company I know gives away resources every year and 90% react to random requests. I’m definitely not saying don’t give money to charity, just be smart and have a plan.

5. Flexible work

It’s not just about allowing people to work from home, it’s about accommodating employees wherever practical for the business. Be flexible with schedules, i.e. stagger start and end times to avoid peak hours or childcare, allow people to work their 35 or so hours over four or six days, share work, etc. It’s the flexibility that both you and your staff will benefit from.

Remote work from home is a great idea when applicable. The biggest hurdle is for management to overcome the fear of not being able to look over employees’ shoulders to check on them. If you can’t trust your employees, it doesn’t really matter where they are. You may need a change in management style, but if an employee has a certain number of defined and measurable goals to achieve it, there is no need to think twice. In many cases, productivity is seen to increase by 20-30% on top of energy savings (including commuting) and reduced space requirements. Your biggest problem may be slowing down your staff too much!

6. Engage with your staff

Communication with your employees has never been more important. Make them feel like they are part of the long-term solution, not the short-term problem. Newsletters, accessible management staff, and transparency often reap unexpected rewards and spur innovation.

7. Get trained

We will come out someday on the horizon of the current economic position. Will your staff be ready to compete at the highest level? Now is a great time to access financing and upskill your employees while improving retention and productivity rates.

8. Government money

Are you making the most of your excellent approach to being responsible when winning public sector contracts? The best price is not always the deciding factor in this competition. Governments are really driving low carbon economies through their own purchasing power. Does your business have an environmental or community competitive advantage?

9. Layoffs

If you need to make redundancies, make sure you fully understand the proper procedure. In addition to ensuring compliance, can you seek to help those who are laid off with their next career move? Working in partnership with appropriate external agencies may be all that is needed.

10. Silver linings

With every recession comes new business opportunities. There is a substantial ‘green’ agenda in the economic stimulus packages of almost all countries. How can your business make the most of them?

Well, that’s the beginning of the journey. You might think ‘that’s just good management’ and you’d be right. The first lesson of CSR is that it is simply good business practice.