Responsible Business Practice and Not for Profits

Tina Roche, CEOBusiness in the Community Ireland

13th June 2005

Presentation Summary

1. BITC Ireland - background

2. How we work with Companies

3. Community/Cause Involvement

4. Why and How

5. NFP Leadership

6. BITCI SME resource centre

7. Questions and reactions

The mission of Business in the Community Ireland is to

harness the power of Irish Business to maximise its positive impact on all its

stakeholders

Membership of Business in the Community is a commitment to action and to the continual

improvement of a company's impact on society

Our members commit to: •Integrate responsible business practice throughout their business •Impact through collaborative action to tackle disadvantage •Inspire, innovate, and lead by sharing learning and experience

Strategic Partnerships

• 30 of Top 100 Companies are members• >400 Irish Companies involved in programmes• Dept. Enterprise Trade & Employment – BITCI

are viewed as the lead organisation on CSR in Ireland

• Represent Ireland on CSR in Europe• Links with IBEC, Chambers of Commerce• National representative organisation on

development of global ISO standard on CSR

Board Members• Kieran McGowan (Chairperson), Director, CRH; former CEO, IDA• Sean FitzPatrick (Vice chair) Chairperson, Anglo Irish Bank• Padraig McManus (Vice chair) CEO, ESB• Harry Byrne, European Economic & Social Committee• Steve Costello, Chairperson, Consumer Council of Northern

Ireland• John Dunne, CEO, Chambers of Commerce of Ireland• Cyril Forbes• Brian Geoghegan, Director, IBEC• Danuta Gray, CEO, O2 Ireland• John Hynes, Former CEO, An Post• Martin Lowery, CEO, Coillte Teoranta• Patrick Lynch, Former MD, Irish Shell• Pauric O’Grady, MD, Johnson & Johnson (Medical) Ireland• John Trethowan, CEO, National Irish Bank

Customised Services for Business• Responsible Business Practices

– Stakeholder Impact Assessment– Communication of Results– Continuous Improvement– Share Best Practice

• Advisory Service on Key Areas– Strategic Corporate Community Involvement– Diversity in the Workplace– International Leadership expertise seminars – e.g.

Environment

• 3 Programmes to Promote Social Inclusion- Employability & Education

• Community Foundation for Ireland– Charitable Giving – advice and management

Support our members to improve and communicate their impact on society

WorkplaceMarketplaceCommunityEnvironmentOthers: Human Rights & Corporate Governance …

Responsible Business Practices

Corporate Community Involvement

Support our members to:Strategise Community Involvement elements, including Corporate Giving Skills Transfer Resource Allocation into one programme aligned with core business objectives.

Why Non Profits Get Involved• Resources

– A new source of volunteers – Access to skills and expertise– Access to materials, services and resources

• Enhance Public Awareness– Increase public awareness of local issues and needs– Promote the work of your organisation

• Positive Impact– Make a difference to the people and causes that you

support– Influencing tool

Why Companies Get Involved

• Corporate Responsibility• Company values• Improve links with local community• Corporate citizenship

• Employee Benefits• Morale• Develop skills• Learn new skills• Build teamwork

7 Steps to Success1. Identify your need2. Prepare your organisation3. Plan for employer supported

volunteers4. Target a potential business partner5. Make an initial approach6. Write your proposal7. Maintain the relationship

www.bitc.ie

NFP SHOULD BE LEADERS

Responsible practice helps NFPs:– Create value, manage reputation– Become more cost-efficient – Boost social impact – Improve innovation– Operate as open and transparent

organisations: Oxfam as an example of best practice

CSR? You are already doing this.

But to make sure…..

CSR for NFPs – www.bitc.ie/csrforsmes.html

Society gives you a licence to operate; responsible behaviour earns you the right to keep it