Design and Report your Education Program in CSR
May 30, 2005
Some companies develop their CSR programs in the way of strategic marketing in order to access and appeal to their potential and future clients. Unlike usual marketing activities, such programs aim long term effects, while it is a little more uncertain and ambiguous in a short term. The most typical program is an education program, which many companies have already conducted.
As often awarded by their distinct CSR activities in various ways, Howled Packard's education program is sophistically designed along with their IT oriented corporate strategies. The program specifically supports mathematics, science and engineering in classroom education. Also, to help people in isolated areas to access to digital network , they establish and operate local technology center in developing areas with non-profit organizations. In addition, to facilitate distinct university research programs in IT areas, HP provided their computers and IT products to selected schools and researchers. These programs are well balanced in areas and budgets, and the performances including beneficiary comments are disclosed annually in their Philanthropy and Education Report.
These young peoples who participated the programs or received their award products may become company's future clients or even employees. Furthermore, supporting to develop renewable energy infrastructures in rural areas, they could provide the fundamentals for their products. Such infrastructure projects are recently popular among multinationals whose products consume energy such as computers, printers and refrigerators. In addition, communicating with the beneficiaries and disclosing their opinions through CSR report could appeal other stakeholders and keep their ties among the stakeholders to refrain their activities.
The Economist covered their special report on CSR in the end of January and acknowledged that company should primarily focused on sales and profits along with their activities. Some pros and cons comments have been discussed in the world. In either way, unlike individual or foundation's special purposed generous giving, corporate giving programs in CSR should be implemented under the wider consensus that they will contribute to the company's sustainable growth. That is part of company's accountability to employees, business partners, clients and shareholders who have directly or indirectly support to raise their profits and values.
Mizuho Information & Research Institute, Inc.
Business Innovation
Miki Mitsunari
