The second in a series of free half-day workshops showing businesses how they can save money, attract and keep quality staff and boost their brand by adopting corporate social responsibility takes place next week.
Sustain-Live, a sustainability development consultancy, is running the training sessions for Blue Orchid as part of Bristol City Council’s Bristol Enterprise Support Service.
The Introduction to Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) workshop is staged at the Engine Shed, Temple Meads, next Wednesday.
It is the second in a series of activities and support given to businesses in Bristol during the city’s European Green Capital of the Year celebrations.
The support service is linked to The Filwood Green Business Park, has a special focus on South Bristol, and is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Funding also supports other Blue Orchid activities, which are free, ranging from drop-in advice sessions to training and the ‘Green Accord’ accreditation scheme.
Businesspeople can learn about corporate social responsibility best practice, identify which reporting frameworks and metrics work best for their companies, and how to integrate a sustainability strategy to cut costs, engage staff and differentiate their brand.
The workshop also shows businesspeople how they can:
- Gain maximum value from the latest CSR innovations and trends;
- Become their work’s sustainability champion and expert;
- Understand how to benefit from opportunities and what steps to take next.
Traci Lewis, director of Sustain-Live, which provides business and market solutions through CSR practice and innovation, said: “This workshop is for businesspeople at the start of their sustainability journey, or have recently engaged is corporate social responsibility.
“It demonstrates there is real business value in developing an innovative organisation-wide vision and strategy, which is implemented and communicated across the business.
“There are three main business reasons for adopting sustainability and corporate social responsibility – it saves money, improves staff satisfaction and offers brand differentiation.”
Gary Chatwin, Bristol area manager for Blue Orchid, one of the UK’s largest providers of business support, said: “This is an informative and inspiring workshop showing business people how they can be a force for change in 2015, Bristol’s year as European Green Capital.
“Many businesses are realising that through corporate social responsibility they can make a real difference to their local environment, whilst gaining business value.
“It is good for the planet, people and profits.”
- For more information about Blue Orchid’s programme of support for start-up and small businesses, including Introduction to Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility and the ‘Green Accord’ environmental accreditation scheme, visit www.blueorchid.co.uk or call 0117 370 3134.
Pictured: Sustain-Live director Traci Lewis with Gary Chatwin, Bristol area manager for Blue Orchid, outside The Engine Shed, the venue for the free workshop
