1. Warsaw 30/11/2012
Group assignment EMBA Class
Corporate Social Responsibility
Subject: To develop a single page document for the upcoming Board Meeting that
will convince the Board to approve the project proposed by the new CSR Director
(i.e. structuring the CSR activities in conformance with the GRI standard and
publishing the GRI report).

2. Background:CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model.
CSR is a process with the aim to embrace responsibility for the company's actions and encourage a positive impact
through its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of
the public sphere who may also be considered as stakeholders.CSR is about managing the overall impact of a company on
society. Todaymany business leaders are realizing that CSR is also a viable component of their overall business strategy,
along with such traditional functions as marketing, branding, research and development, innovation, talent management,
and operations. They are therefore beginning to accord CSR strategy the same level of attention they give to these
other vital corporate functions and, better yet, weave their CSR strategies in with their branding, marketing,and
operations.
Current Situation:We – as a company - do have already: H&S policy, ISO 14000, ISO 9000, Management system and
advanced employee education program. These are some corporate social activities introduced already, but sort of
chaotically, now is a time to make it right. Now it is time to commence CSR activities in a structured way, based on a long
term CSR strategy aligned with the corporate business strategy.
Proposal:My proposal is to implement and follow process prepared and approved by GRI (Global Reporting Initiative). At
the end, all will meet the GRI standard. Our CSR strategy, all our activities and achievements will be presented in a
publicly available Corporate Social Responsibility Report. OurCSR strategy that we are going to create cannot stand
alone, cannot be something additional to our daily business, it must be very well connected with our business strategy,
must be part of our DNA of the organization.CSR Strategy is a roadmap for moving ahead. Tool that provides innovations
and opens new markets and improve the bottom line. Part of core business strategy that keeps employee morale high. To
be effective, CSR goals must be aligned with two things: core business objectives and core competencies of the firm.
Why we do it: . It will give us positive emotional connection to core consumer. It is the ethical thing to do and it improves
a business’ image and reputation. It is necessary in order to avoid excessive regulation. Socially responsible actions can be
profitable, as an improved social environment will be beneficial to a business. It will be attractive to some investors and it
can increase employee motivation and engagement. It helps to correct the social problems caused by business.
Potential business benefits:ECO-EFFICIENCY (Reduced Costs, Costs avoided (Design for Environment, Eco innovation), Optimal
investment strategies: QUALITY MANAGEMENT (Better risk management, Greater responsiveness in volatile markets, Staff
motivations/commitment, Enhanced intellectual capital, LICENCE TO OPERATE (Reduced costs of compliance/planning
permits/licenses, Enhanced reputation with all key stakeholders, Influence with regulator/government). MARKET ADVANTAGE
(Stronger brands, Customer preference/loyalty, Lower costs of capital, New products/processes/services, Attracting the right talent).
SUSTAINABLE PROFITS(Option creation, New business/increased market share, Enhanced shareholder value).
What we need and challenges we may face:To do it right, we need senior leadership and management of the firm,
including the board of directors, must make an authentic, firm, and public commitment to CSR efforts, and engage with
them. The top three business objectives of the company need to be determined and CSR goals, that will contribute to the
achievement of those business objectives, need to be developed. After business objectives are determined, we need to
align CSR goals with the firm’s core competencies. Then fully integration of CSR efforts into the governance of the
company and into existing management systems is required. We should view CSR as both a risk-mitigation strategy and
an opportunity-seeking strategy. Finally, development of clear performance metrics, or key performance indicators, to
measure the impact of your CSR efforts is expected.
Challenges: Naturally we may face key challenges during introduction, such as: internal commitment, integration into
business processes, value chain responsibility, driving innovation, customers’ commitment, conflicting demands,
transparency vs litigation vs confidentiality and multi-sectorial partnerships. They are identified and well recognized, we
will pay full attention on it during implementation.
Summary: Having this, we will demonstrate that we can conduct business in an ethical way and in the interest of the wider
community, that we are able to respond positively to emerge societal priorities and expectations. We will demonstrate a
willingness to act ahead of regulatory confrontation and that we balancing shareholder interest against the interest of the
wider community.
After proper implementation it will be different to this what we have now. It will be consistent effort, life, reviewed
regularly and results will be measured. We will convince people that they can make a difference and will be accountable
for results.We must do it - there is no other way, We will do and we will succeed. Now ignoring CSR potentially damages
shareholders. Embracing it creates value. Costs are minor comparing to the benefits the company will achieve. It is not
something that is “nice to have”. It will be something that we “MUST HAVE”.
I am asking You to approve something that will change our company and will move us forward to the better future.