CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)

Even as a small business, we uphold social and environmental commitments as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Our founder and owner, Mohsen Salehi, has a lifelong passion for the environment.

Mohsen grew up in North Carolina where the environmental and natural resources are a primary part of the state's heritage and economic sustainability. From fishing to building forts and climbing trees, Mohsen spent much of his extracurricular time as a child participating in hobbies that involved nature in some capacity .

Mohsen holds an Trans-Global Executive MBA from Saint Mary's College of California, where he was part of a global social enterprise project that empowered women artisans across East Africa. On behalf of the Virunga Artisans organization, the women artisans produce sustainable products as source for earning income. Products include hand-woven baskets and other organic artifacts made from natural materials.

In the picture above, Mohsen (center) is posing  with the Virunga Artisans organization founder, Dr. Richard Cunningham (second from right), and the East Africa operations management team. This picture was taken in Uganda, Africa.

Whenever available, Mohsen allocates his personal time to volunteering for various fundraisers such as American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. 

Started in 1985, Relay For Life is a community-based fundraising event for the American Cancer Society and many other Cancer related institutions, societies and associations. Each year, more than 5,000 Relay For Life events take place in over twenty countries. Events are held in local communities, university campuses and in virtual campaigns. As the American Cancer Society's most successful fundraiser and the organization's signature event, the mission of Relay For Life is to raise funds to improve cancer survival, decrease the incidence of cancer, and improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their caretakers. It is estimated that Relay For Life events have raised nearly $5 billion to date.

Source: https://sofii.org/case-study/american-cancer-society-relay-for-life

In the picture above, Mohsen (right) is helping cook and serve food to cancer survivors and their loved ones. This picture was taken at California High School in San Ramon, California.

Mohsen also volunteers for non-profits like the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Concord, California. 

Started in 1975, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that distributes food directly to low-income people at community sites within Contra Costa and Solano counties, and makes food available for other nonprofit organizations serving the ill, underprivileged and children. One in nine residents in Contra Costa and Solano counties turn to the Food Bank for emergency and supplemental food.

Source: https://www.foodbankccs.org/category/donations

An effective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy is integral to success and sustainability in today’s competitive business climate.

A well-designed CSR approach:

• Demonstrates a community-first focus that encourages employee buy-in, boosts workplace morale and reduces turnover rates.
• Fosters a positive brand image that cultivates trust, engagement and sentiment among consumers and stakeholders.
• Provides a conduit through which companies can connect and strengthen relationships within local communities they operate. 
• Utilizes the power of corporate resources and know-how to give back and help others on a scale not possible otherwise.

It’s hard to overlook or dismiss the importance of corporate social responsibility within the modern-day business model. Making an investment in CSR and taking action to involve your company in socially responsible endeavors is not only a good brand-building exercise; it’s essential to sustaining a happier workforce and a long-term competitive advantage. 

Corporate philanthropic initiatives typically involve giving money and/or resources to charities and causes at local, national and international levels. Often times, a company will engage in philanthropy that’s closely aligned or related to what they do. Examples of corporate philanthropy may include a grocer donating items to local food banks or a tech firm giving money to organizations that promote equal internet access across impoverished communities. 

Businesses commonly create opportunities for employees to volunteer their time to charitable causes and organizations. Connecting workers with the chance to help on local issues and engage in boots-on-the-ground volunteering not only provides a productive resource of support charities in need; it also helps strengthen the bond and promote synergy between organizations, their employees and the local communities in which they operate. 

Instituting proactive, corporate social responsibility policies that address and adhere to fair labor and diversity practices is integral to strong workplace morale—and for establishing a positive, inclusive corporate culture both employees and leadership are proud to be a part of.

Enacting and sticking to fair labor initiatives while actively condemning unfair labor and trade practices demonstrates leadership’s willingness to do what’s best for employees. When implemented effectively, socially responsible labor policies strengthen brand credibility among job candidates, your staff and your target audience. 

Environmental issues like pollution and climate change are hot-button topics that receive local, national and international news coverage daily. CSR strategies that demonstrate your awareness of such issues and an organizational commitment to eco-friendly policies and behavior are not only recommended but essential to show consumers and staff you take environmental stewardship seriously.

Environmentally-sound corporate social responsibility measures may include:

• Reducing your firm’s carbon footprint through alternative energy sources.
• Using only “green” cleaning products in office and manufacturing applications.
• Implementing a site-wide recycling program and actively reducing company waste. 
• Partnering with other firms and suppliers who share a commitment to pro-environment practices.

Sustainable practices are part of our everyday business and life. We keep our environmental footprint as small as possible, and also encourage some better purchasing and event practices with our clients whenever possible. What we do:

• Office Resources and Stationery: We encourage consultants and clients purchase paper and paper products made from recycled materials, FSC certified, and renewable resources, e.g. printer paper, notebooks, and other stationery. However, our ultimate goal is to go 100% digital so that we can avoid the use of paper products all together.
• Traveling: We are transitioning into a virtual company, so travel is minimal. However, when we do need to travel, we encourage our team to walk, cycle, or take public transit to meetings and events whenever possible, or car-pool with colleagues.
• We encourage 5 Rs: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. That means replacing computers and technology only when broken or ineffective, double-sided printing and photo-copying whenever feasible, and reusing or repurposing anything possible to limit our resource consumption.