Helping to build strong and thriving neighborhoods, bringing people in the community together, and empowering your employees to grow and succeed are just some examples of Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR. It’s about making a real, long-lasting difference by taking steps to positively impact the lives of your associates, customers, and those in your community. Explore our top 5 reasons why Corporate Social Responsibility is critical to the success of every organization.
It's Good for the Community
One of the biggest reasons why CSR is important for an organization is because as a business owner and community leader, you can and should offer support and services to those in your neighborhoods.
At Lakeland Bank, we share the knowledge and skills needed to manage money efficiently to reach your financial goals. We also partner with local non-profit organizations in several ways, from supporting local food banks and affordable housing programs to offering financial and cybersecurity skill sets through educational programs. Check out our commitment in action!
It Empowers Employees to Prosper
CSR also goes a long way towards helping associates become happier and more fulfilled, something that is a true win-win situation. Remember, your employees don’t just work in the communities they serve – they may also live in them, too. This makes it even more rewarding to give back.
Encourage your staff to seek new and creative ways to get involved by volunteering and donating their time whenever they can. Some companies offer paid volunteer days so employees can give back without having to give up a full day’s work.
Mentoring and leadership training is another example. Your associates have the potential to be influential and effective future leaders, so help them grow! Empower your employees with the types of training opportunities that enhance their professional skills and consider offering financial reimbursement to those who are interested in furthering their education for business related courses.
It's Good for Your Brand
CSR increases your brand awareness. How someone feels about a company impacts how they interact with it, along with what they share with their networks. When you make it an effort to give back, customers are more likely to give back in the form of a good review. Word-of-mouth goes a long way!
It's the Foundation to Attracting and Retaining the Best Talent
Your team is one of your strongest assets. When you're hiring, you're looking for people who will be a good fit for your organization – someone that believes in your company's mission, vision and values. Aside from the paycheck, it's important to find what would make candidates happy to come to work each day. Your CSR is a testament to that. Employees feel good when they do something good and know they are part of something bigger.
It Makes the World a Better Place
As a community-focused financial institution, Lakeland Bank works to provide support and resources to organizations and events that bring people in the community together. It's ingrained in our entire organization and it’s the culture of our company, and we applaud all organizations that do the same.
If you’re interested in partnering with us to offer financial education to the members of your organization, contact Roxanne Camejo, our Vice President, Community Development Officer. Our team hosts seminars and webinars on various financial literacy topics like budgeting, buying a home, credit and more.
To learn more about the Corporate Social Responsibility at Lakeland Bank, take a look at the following resources:
Corporate Social Responsibility