Implementing ISO 26000 will give businesses competitive advantage and develop their unique program to become a model for others in understanding and actioning corporate social responsibility.
Below points can assist small and medium size businesses identifying ways to straighten their position with investors, community, future employees and, of course, customers.
I must mention however, that it should guide the business leadership in planning their actions and create a bearer culture in the organisation. Business leaders must understand the principles to ensure resources and support is provided. It is not a task of one individual, but the programs must have a strong stand at the table!
Businesses can identify paths of innovation, reduce long term risks and identify new products focusing on value-added social responsibility. It assists in promoting more effective marketing plans and understanding where the business stands in terms of sustainable developments.
The principles sorrowing ISO 26000 encourage changes that improve the environment, human resources and health and safety within the organisation. If implemented effectively, it can substantially reduce risks to the businesses and add value to supply chains and consumers.
Reporting plays a bog role in the implementation. It engages the stakeholders, communicate business message and expectations.
Implementation stages
As per Ecologia "Handbook for implementation of ISO 26000", there are six steps to be taken:
1) Your current Picture
2) Evaluation of the seven core subjects
3) Engaging your stakeholders
4) Planning for improvements
5) Public Reporting
6) claiming Credit
Your current picture
This step encourages business leaders to ask themselves some fundamental questions:
What does the business do, produce or sell?
Who are the main business partners?
What does a good responsible business means to us?
What are the business values and principles?
How can the business meet the ideal?
What prevents it from achieving its goals?
These considerations may involve decisions on designating an environmental officer to manage the tasks going forward. You may also find out, that the business already practice social responsibilities. In this situation, ISO 26000 provides a guidance to take next steps and think more deeply in the subject.
Evaluation of the Seven Core subjects
Business needs to evaluate its stand on each of the ISO seven core subjects and suggestions for future actions: Organisational Governance, Human Rights, Labour Practices, The Environment, Fair Operating Practices, Consumer Issues and Development of the community. Businesses are encouraged to review each criteria and allocate the Importance level to each one of them. Additionally, businesses may realise there are already actions taken in some of the matters. This should give the business leaders confidence and determine the importance of the seven principles. Leaders can assess what actions they are already taking for each of the core subjects. These are those, which we can take credit for. Suggestions should also be established at this stage to include for future plans. It is important to mention here, that we need to be realistic and have resources in place and available to complete the actions successfully.
This gap analysis allows to determine the misses opportunities and improve business model. Are there any risks within the subjects that you have identified and not planned for before? There is always room for improvement.
Engage your stakeholders
Business needs to have a two-way discussion with its stakeholders about how you can best work together. This also helps organisations to understand how others see them and take logical next steps. Having to engage stakeholders can be even an intimidating process, but it can also bring benefits to the organisations. Stakeholders should be prioritised and focus on those who may substantially affect the process of moving forward. The management team should discuss what stakeholders are involved in the each core principles. After the stakeholders and their input is identified, preparations for discussion should be established. Trust is the dialog is very important. Leaders are to express their viewpoint and ask them for suggestions for improvement. This will allow the leaders to identify opportunities for new products, as well as areas of risks. Additionally, the stakeholders viewpoint may bring new understanding and points to be added to the gap analysis performed in the previous step.
After the discussions it is imperative to give your feedback to the stakeholders. Advise them that their suggestions have been taken seriously and included in the overall action plan for sustainable developments.
Engaging stakeholders can be one of the most valuable activities involved in the implementation of ISO 26000. It is, however, important to establish ground rules during the conversations and start within the business internally to avoid challenges and negative feedback.
Plan for improvements
Engaging stakeholders brings many ideas on how to progress with the improvement actions. It allows businesses to identify the key issues associated with the matter of social responsibility. In this step, the impact of changes should be considered, as well as the availability of resources and visibility of the changes planned. We should start with those that have the higher impact and priority. Those who bring benefits to the company and its stakeholders. Relevant human resources, financial resources and community resources need to be established during the planning phase. And finally, we need to ensure that efforts are visible and transparent. It also brings motivation and inspiration to the stakeholders to maintain programme and encourage continuous improvements. Actions plan can be dow drawn up including the core principles addressed, explaining goals, keeping realistic deadlines and expectations and allocate appropriate resources.
Public reporting
The reporting should honestly and accurately describe businesses situation in terms of social responsibility. The main goal of the reporting is to publicly confirm the business commitment to social responsibilities. The report should include the achievements identified already within the core principles, establish business credibility in tackling the issues, present how stakeholders are engaged and explain the plans for future improvements.
The report should be used to engage the stakeholders, therefore it is important to communicate it to them in an appropriate manner.
Claim credit
The reporting performed successfully will indicate the implementation of ISO 26000. Now, we may want to advise our customers, supply chain, government officials. Ecologia further recommends to use reference in recognition of ISO 26000within the business and including them in business brochures, posters, websites and communications.
Summary
Implementation of ISO 26000 principles will allow businesses to add value and promote their products and services. With confidence, businesses can negotiate longer contracts with their customers and developed their own socially responsible brand name product. Efforts can also be recognised by government authorities. In some cases more transparent organisations can claim release from unnecessary monitoring from authorities.
It has to be mentioned that Corporate Social Responsibility efforts will bring costs reduction in terms of business expenses.
Bibliography:
Ecologia, 2011, Handbook for Implementers of ISO 26000, Global Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility, Designed by ECOLOGIA for Small and Medium Sized Businesses.
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