As companies grow, it connects with more people by hiring employees, getting clients and working in communities with new branches across the map. What if most of your stakeholders look forward to coming to work, engaging with one another, or a new community gets excited that you are opening a branch in their area?
Sounds almost too good to be true, but this is exactly what a CSR outreach program from Starbucks USA managed to do with building a culture around employees solving social problems.
Since 2011, Starbucks decided to announce a “Global Month of Good” every April – the month when the company has its anniversary. Employees from branches plan and execute community volunteer events where they tackle problems in their community. Maybe a school needs a new library, or a strip of low-income homes will be better off with a community garden where they can grow some of their own food. Starbucks announces the CSR event date through their local branch and social media, calling for volunteers in the community to also join their employees and lend a hand in support.
The result was overwhelming. Just in 2022 alone, the company reported 14,300+ employee and volunteer hours donated through the month, partnering with over 1,000 non-profits in communities across the country. Employees shared their own stories online, reflecting how good it felt to actively give back to the community every year.
The result was overwhelming. Just in 2022 alone, the company reported 14,300+ employee and volunteer hours donated through the month, partnering with over 1,000 non-profits in communities across the country. Employees shared their own stories online, reflecting how good it felt to actively give back to the community every year.
As businesses grow, it gets the power to impact more lives and change them for the greater good. As employees, CSR and development sector professionals, let’s plan for changes which involve more people. Let’s bring all our employees together, encourage more employee volunteerism, and donate work hours and skillsets by employees rather than just money or products from one department. At the end of the day, when people outside the company joins hands with all the people inside, it gives the brand much-needed goodwill, and lets you get closer to communities you work in.
