Target - CSR

Working for Target I am aware of the many things we do to improve the community around us. However I wasn't aware of all that I found in the Target Corporate Responsibility Report 2009.

Here's what I found most interesting from the report:

Overall philosophy: Target is committed to the pursuit of profitable and sustainable growth, consistent with our unwavering dedication to the social, environmental and economic well-being of the global community in which our guests, team members and shareholders live

and work.

Social Responsibility

• Community Relations: 5% of Income ($3 million per week)
• Community giving: products, finances, volunteer hours
• TCOE (Take Charge of Education): Over $250 million donated through use of Target Redcards to help fund school fieldtrips, art programs, library makeovers, etc..
• Wellness programs, fitness discounts, etc..
• Safe City initiative: partnering with businesses, law enforcement, residents and city government to reduce crime.
• Diversity in the workforce: Inroads scholarships
• National Trust and Historic Preservation
• Target House: St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN

Environmental Responsibility

• Retote bags
• Reducing Target's Carbon Footprint
• Energy Management System
• Recycling

Economic Responsibility

• Expect more. Pay Less.
• Corporate governance
• Corporate compliance

This is just a brief overview of the 50 page Corporate Responsibility Report that Target produces each year. How does your company feel about Corporate Responsibility?

Corporate Social Responsibility

According to Joseph Winn, President/CEO of Green Profit Solutions in his article Corporate Social Responsibility - Is it Good For Business? he defines Corporate Social Responsibility as:

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept that organizations and mostly companies, have an obligation to consider the interests of customers, members, employees, shareholders, communities, and ecological considerations in all aspects of their operations. Just like the old definition of social responsibility, this obligation is seen to extend beyond their statutory obligation to comply with legislation.

CSR isn't just about a company going green, its about giving back to the community, volunteering, and promoting diversity within the workforce. As CSR moves from becoming just about a company's image towards legislation and market regulation, is your company ready? Will you be proactive in moving your company in the right direction or will you wait until you are forced with new laws and legislation?

Check out this video that gives an easy to understand definition of CSR.

How does your company define CSR? If asked by PR or by a potential employee what would your company say it is doing to help the community?

The Effects of Green Marketing

Comments from previous postings led me to do some more research on Green Marketing. Has anyone ever heard of a LOHA?

It stands for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability. There are websites, blogs, facebook groups and a wikipedia page dedicated to LOHA's. There are several websites dedicated to LOHA consumers and how to reach them. Here's an interesting blog describing the basics of LOHA consumers and how companies can reach them .

Check out this video on the Effects of Green Marketing.

Comments

Thank you everyone for the great comments. I am having trouble figuring out how to comment on a comment!

Collette - great youtube video on greenwashing. I actually had never heard of the term greenwashing before your comments and the video. Very informative - i am intrigued to investigate further!

Going Green

It seems that every time you turn your head you find another company that has done something to "go green". Are they really doing it for the well-being of the environment and the community? Or are they doing it to improve their bottom line? Maybe they feel peer pressured by the other companies that are going green and are afraid they will lose market share by consumers choosing greener companies.

In the end, does it really matter? It seems to be a win-win for everyone involved. In fact, there are even businesses being created to market to other businesses that want to go green.

Check back next week for ways that companies are going green and how yours can do the same.