The Benefits Of A CSR Program: Sean Bergin

Any company can earn a profit. However, not everything about running a business should be for-profit. There’s more to life than just work and there’s more to work than just business. That’s why it’s essential for businesses to implement a strong Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. A CSR program allows businesses to give back and do social good for a cause dedicated to its founder’s personal beliefs. The charity for a CSR program should be selected on the idea of it aligning with the company’s overall mission. By showing its passion for something other than a bottom line, a company can use a CSR program to show its customers and employees its human side while also raising funds and awareness for a good cause.

Some ‘Scrooge’ entrepreneurs may not like the idea of a CSR program, as they might feel like it takes away time spent on earning new business and improving company revenue. A business owner might also feel like it is difficult to maintain the overall company vision when he/she has to spend time focused on a CSR program. It’s actually the opposite on both counts. A Verizon and Campbell Soup study called Project ROI proved that CSR programs can increase revenue up to 20%. The same study also went on to conclude that CSR programs increase shareholder value and improve employee productivity. A study by Nielsen found that 67% of consumers prefer to work for socially responsible companies and 55% will pay extra for products and services from companies committed to positive social and environmental impact. The ‘Scrooges’ of the world, have it wrong; they are actually hurting their business and bottom line by not having a CSR program.

When we started APTelecom, we decided to make supporting charitable program and our commitment to CSR a foundation of our company’s vision. Our aim is to continue to support charities that are in our neighborhood. This means a continued focus on assisting programs operating in emerging markets in which we operate, such as SE Asia, Africa and Latin America. We consider this a double win. We are able to receive the opportunity to support worthy causes in markets with socio-economic challenges, which ties to our core business of assisting the telecommunications industry establish new submarine cables into countries lacking access to these capabilities. While the challenges faced by each developing country in the markets in which APTelecom operate are largely determined by its local cultural, political, and economic conditions, APTelecom has found that enabling Internet access always has a profound & positive impact.

In line with this vision, APTelecom recently continued its mission by supporting underprivileged youth in several international markets. Most recently, APTelecom provided donations and ongoing support to Friends-International, whose mission is to save lives and build futures of the most marginalized youth and children in Southeast Asia. With a strong focus on doing business in emerging markets, APTelecom has a genuine desire to support charities as a way of acknowledging the support that we have received from these markets as we have grown.

We have seen the benefits of a CSR program firsthand, and have recommended that all of our customers, partners, and vendors follow suit and implement a program that is meaningful to their principle owners and values. It is part of our responsibility as business owners to lead the way on improving the way of life for those not as fortunate. With the holiday season coming up, now is a great chance to organize the foundation of CSR program and help others while also improving your bottom line, customer base, and employee morale. What’s their not to like?

About Sean Bergin:

Sean Bergin is based in APTelecom’s Asian headquarters in Cambodia and has been instrumental in building APTelecom into a globally recognized leader in telecom and fiber consulting, elevating it from a start-up business to an award-winning global organization which has generated over US $195 million in sales for clients.

Re-published as part of CSRlive’s collaboration with Your Mark On The World