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As a founder and CEO, I’ve always believed that good health for individuals, communities and companies starts from the ground up, quite literally. And with my company, ZenToes, it’s always been my priority to ensure that our mission comes to life, not simply through our effective, podiatrist-recommended foot care solutions, but also through our proactive work as an organization to make active living accessible to everyone.
Implementing a Corporate Social Responsibility program is a great way to bring a mission to life in a way that demonstrates real progress and impact, and it was a path that I, as a business leader, was keen to explore.
The process of identifying, defining and enacting a CSR program is a unifying one for any organization — best done by involving the entire team in collectively outlining the company’s values, objectives and best path to give back in support of the people and communities you seek to serve.
After lengthy team conversations, we launched ZenToes’ Strides for Wellbeing initiative last year. The program aims to increase accessibility to physical activities by offering scholarships and sponsorships for local running and walking events, and removing financial barriers to participation.
Overall, the CSR program’s benefits have been invaluable, extending from individuals and communities around the country to our own team and reinforcing everyone’s commitment to the important work we do each day.
In this article, I’ll share practical insights on how other CEOs and business leaders can launch and sustain CSR programs with real, lasting impact — programs that not only support your company’s values but also make a tangible difference in the communities you reach.
Related: How to Build a Socially Responsible Employer Brand
1. Align your CSR program with your core mission
It’s always important to think big picture in terms of how any program connects with your brand and mission, particularly when it comes to Corporate Social Responsibility. Have a clear understanding of how you define your mission, and then use that as the foundation to build a CSR program that creates real impact towards that goal.
With Strides for Wellbeing for instance, ZenToes is able to make a clear difference in sponsoring physical activity through marathon, half-marathon and walking event scholarships — ultimately, making movement more accessible and ensuring that finances are not a barrier to entry for those looking to get the most out of their life in motion.
2. Create clear and measurable objectives
With any CSR program, be sure to set clear and measurable objectives so that you’re able to track long-term impact and overall program success. You could work towards a set number of communities served, dollars donated, or, in our case, steps achieved.
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