Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not a new idea. But CSR training tops more corporate conversations today than ever before. CSR finds its roots in the days of Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, when wealthy businessmen began contributing large percentages of their profits to philanthropy, according to ThomasNet. American economist and Grinnell College president, Howard Bowen, is often referred to as the "father of CSR," ThomasNet reported. In his 1953 book, "Social Responsibilities of the Businessman," Bowen advocated for CSR practices. CSR is still alive and well, decades after the Carnegies and Rockefellers ruled American industry. Today, however, in the world of the multigenerational digital workplace, CSR has grown to embrace values like "inclusion, empathy and environmental preservation," according to Forbes. Let's explore how employee CSR training can help companies further align their sustainability goals and standards in today's modern workplace.
Understand evolving CSR
According to Investopedia, CSR concerns three primary impact areas of companies' operations:
- Economic
- Social
- Environmental
Although these fundamental pillars remain true today, CSR has evolved in the modern workplace, entrenching responsibility, impact and humanity into businesses, according to Forbes. In September 2015, the United Nations (U.N.) adopted its "Sustainable Development Goals." Through these goals, the U.N. hopes to have all governments, businesses and individuals following its sustainability agenda by 2030, demonstrating the organized, global push for CSR. CSR has also expanded into environmental, social and governance (ESG) corporate investments, a trend that will continue to grow. As reported by McKinsey, over 25% of global assets under management have been invested based in part on ESG considerations, emphasizing how these factors affect a business's performance. With so much riding on CSR, companies need to understand the impact of sustainability goals on their organizations.
Incorporate LMS to achieve sustainability goals
Companies are being held to higher social responsibility standards by their employees, partners, customers, investors and boards. To achieve sustainability—or meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations' abilities to meet their needs—companies must focus not only on profits but also the economic, environmental and social impact of their business. Companies, however, can't become sustainable overnight. They need to create an awareness of CSR first. One of the best ways to increase awareness is through training and education. A robust learning management system offers a variety of learning modules, from microlearning to in-the-flow learning, all of which can be accessed at any time of day on any device. Through LMS, you can train your workers to uphold company standards regarding the environment and social responsibility. By reducing traditional classroom materials or travel to seminars, you're also creating a more environmentally beneficial training program. And your employees will be jazzed about the flexibility of your LMS system. That's a win-win.
Adopt training to heighten your sustainability standards
Engaging in CSR is not just a "feel good" thing to do. The integration of CSR into your company will be critical for future growth and success. Customers, younger employees and investors will expect you to demonstrate engagement in CSR, which you can do with your LMS data. By incorporating CSR into your learning and development strategy, you can highlight your commitment to sustainability, while bolstering your recruitment, retention and training.
