Metta Social hosted an incredible CSR Impact Leaders Roundtable 2023 on “Transforming pivots for CSR Strategy” in Pune last month

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the duty of corporates to contribute positively to society through sustainable and ethical practices. The concept has been around for quite some time now. Yet, it has now gained significance due to the increasing recognition of businesses’ impact on society and the environment. Here are a few takeaways and insightful learnings that were discussed during the Impact Dialog by the Social Champions themselves:

1. Obligation on CSR Laws

The legal framework surrounding CSR is constantly changing, and businesses are increasingly being held responsible for their effects by new laws and regulations. Companies must disclose their impact, develop sustainability strategies, and address negative effects. However, keeping up with changing laws and regulations can be a challenge, requiring companies to stay informed and adapt their practices to meet new standards and avoid legal consequences.

2. CSR and its Strategies Today

CSR strategies in the current business landscape need to encompass a diverse spectrum of concerns, ranging from climate change and environmental decline to social disparity and human rights. However, aligning business goals with social and environmental objectives is a challenge. Companies will have to balance profitability with sustainability while being transparent and accountable.

3. Understanding the Fixed, Transformation, and Disrupt Phases

In the world of CSR, companies go through three phases:

Phase 1: Fixed

In this phase, companies focus on compliance with regulations and industry standards.

Phase 2: Transformation

Companies develop more ambitious CSR strategies in the transformation phase that goes beyond compliance and seeks to create positive social and environmental impact.

Phase 3: Disrupt

We are in this phase where companies innovate and disrupt traditional business models to create sustainable business practices that contribute to society positively.

“Impact data is kind of the glue, which is enabling trust in the ecosystem.”

- Anshoo Gaur

Today, data-driven decision-making creates a social roadmap for enterprises. This can be achieved by collaborating with social enterprises like Metta Social, an impact-driven platform with a team of deeply rooted experts connected with more than 100 social purpose organizations.

4. Strategy Implementation and Communication

Effective implementation of CSR strategies requires clear communication and collaboration across all levels of the organization. Social enterprises can enable strategic programs based on business and impact goals. Also, companies need to involve their employees and help them comprehend the organization’s CSR objectives while ensuring their commitment to achieving them. This can be achieved through training programs, internal communication, and regular performance evaluations.

Join our movement to Connect, Collaborate and drive Social Impact

5. Leveraging Technology and Driving Transparency

Technology has enhanced CSR practices by enabling companies to track and report their social and environmental impact more effectively. This increases transparency and accountability throughout the social impact supply chain. Similarly, NGOs can use technology to create awareness, track progress, and evaluate the outcomes of their projects on beneficiaries.

6. Employee Engagement

Engaging employees is crucial to the success of any CSR strategy. This can be achieved through employee training programs, volunteer opportunities for them, and regular communication.

7. Volunteering

Volunteering is an effective way for companies to engage and contribute to society positively. By organizing volunteering programs, companies can give back to their communities while fostering a sense of pride and purpose.

8. Impact Assessment and SROI

Measuring the impact of CSR programs is essential to determine their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Effective monitoring and evaluation for enterprises weigh as an add-on for the social return on investment (SROI.) They need to measure their programs' social and environmental impact with informed decisions, which aids in the CSR strategies.

9. Collaboration and Co-creation

Collaboration and co-creation are essential for the success of CSR programs. Companies can develop more comprehensive and effective CSR strategies that address their concerns and priorities by working with stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and local communities.

10. Sustainable Impact with CSR

Social, economic, and environmental sustainability depends on the success of CSR strategies. Companies must develop symbiotic strategies, ensuring that they can contribute positively to society in the long term.

Driving Positive Social Impact with Sustainable Solutions

• Enterprises must develop sustainable CSR strategies while complying with laws and regulations.
• Effective communication, technology, employee engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and impact measurement can create positive social and environmental ramifications and drive business success.
• The right channel will enable enterprises and non-profits alike in building a “Better Tomorrow” through sustainable solutions.

Key Speakers at the Impact Dialog 2023:

Mr. Makarand Jawadekar — Pharma Professional

Mr. Anshoo Gaur — CEO of Ideas to Impacts

Ms. Sherin Ali — Sr. Group Manager of WNS Global Services

Mr. Ajay Sathe — Group Head — Customer Experience & CSR of Bajaj Finserv

Mr. Suresh Komirishetty — CIO of Mercedes-Benz India

Rahul Mullick — Ex-Director of BMGF

Sreenivas Narayanan — Managing Director of ASSIST, Asia

Arun Wakhlu — Chairman of Pragati Foundation

Bharat Wakhlu — Executive Director of FPaCL

Tanuka Bairagi — Senior Director People, APJ&India Site Leader of Nuance Communications

Anupama Kailash Katkar — Chairperson & Chief Operational Excellence of QuickHeal Technology

Asma Kathiwalla — Head CSR & Philanthropy at UBS

Rakesh Makkar — CEO of Bajaj Auto Consumer Finance Ltd

Tushara Shankar — CSR Head of Lupin Limited

Vinod Bidwaik — Group HR Director of AP Globale & Sakal Media Group

Daya Ogale — Head of HR & Site Leader of TomTom

Jayanti Phadke — Head HR — India Subcontinent at Toll Group

Capt Raman Raina — Director of Human Resources APAC at Honeywell

Sudhir Mateti — Head HR of Syntel Telecom — A Division of Arvind Limited

Dr. Niraj Mankad — Assistant Dean, Programs and Co-Chair of FLAME University

Sangram Pawar — CHRO of DataTech Labs

Deepak Ahuja — CoFounder of Sagitech

Dr. Sujata Deshpande — CSR Head of Thermax

Milind Jadhav — Founder of HCMNext

Adhiraj Gadgil — Sr. Director — CSR and CRE of Harbinger Group

Pradeep Bhargava — Chairman of ASAL

Debi Prasad Das — CEO of Potential^Infinity

Sanjay Dalmia — CEO and Founder Trustee of OpenLinks Foundation

Mr. Vishal Naik — CEO of Metta Social

Mr. Iftekhar Pathan — Chief Strategic Impact Partnerships of Metta Social

Mr. Naresh Gour — Chief Operational Officer of Metta Social

Capt Anil Dhanker — Chief Enablement & Growth Officer of Metta Social

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Navigating the Future of Social and Environmental Impact was originally published in Metta Social on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Scaling social impact is a critical challenge faced by philanthropists and non-profit organizations. While traditional methods have been successful in addressing some social problems, they often struggle to achieve widespread, lasting change. However, with the rapid advancement of technology, there is now a new toolkit for organizations to use in order to scale their impact: cutting-edge technologies.

Cutting-edge technologies are those that are at the forefront of development and have the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work. These technologies include artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, and the Internet of Things, among others. By using these technologies, organizations can gain access to a wealth of information and insights, allowing them to target their efforts and allocate resources more effectively.

One of the most promising areas where cutting-edge technologies can be used to scale social impact is through the use of artificial intelligence. AI algorithms can help organizations to analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns, trends, and relationships that were previously hidden. This information can then be used to make more informed decisions and allocate resources more effectively.

For example, an organization working in the field of healthcare can use AI to analyze medical records and identify patients who are at a higher risk of developing a particular condition. By focusing their efforts on these individuals, the organization can have a more significant impact on public health.

Another area where cutting-edge technologies can be used to scale social impact is through the use of blockchain. Blockchain is a secure and transparent digital ledger that allows organizations to track transactions and interactions. This makes it an ideal tool for organizations that need to manage large amounts of sensitive information, such as those working in the field of humanitarian aid.

For example, an organization providing aid to refugees can use blockchain to track the distribution of aid and ensure that it reaches the intended recipients. This not only helps to increase the efficiency and transparency of aid delivery but also helps to build trust among the refugees, who are often skeptical of aid organizations.

In conclusion, cutting-edge technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way organizations approach social impact. By leveraging the power of AI, blockchain, big data, and other technologies, organizations can gain access to valuable information and insights, enabling them to target their efforts and allocate resources more effectively. By doing so, they can increase the scale of their impact and help to make a lasting difference in the world.

There are several technologies that can help to scale social impact, including:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI algorithms can be used to analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns, trends, and relationships that were previously hidden, allowing organizations to make more informed decisions and allocate resources more effectively.
2. Blockchain: Blockchain is a secure and transparent digital ledger that can be used to track transactions and interactions, making it ideal for organizations that need to manage large amounts of sensitive information.
3. Big Data: By collecting and analyzing large amounts of data, organizations can gain valuable insights into the problems they are trying to solve and target their efforts more effectively.
4. Internet of Things (IoT): IoT devices can be used to collect and transmit real-time data, allowing organizations to monitor and respond to changing conditions in real time.
5. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): VR and AR technologies can be used to create immersive and interactive experiences that help to educate, raise awareness, and engage people on social issues.
6. Drones: Drones can be used to collect aerial data and images, providing organizations with valuable insights into the environment, communities, and populations they are trying to serve.
7. Mobile Technologies: Mobile technologies, such as smartphones and tablets, can be used to provide access to information, resources, and services in areas that are hard to reach or under-served.

By harnessing the power of these and other technologies, organizations can increase the scale of their impact and help to make a lasting difference in the world.

Team Metta Social

Connect- Collaborate-Converge to Catalyze Impact

https://linktr.ee/MettaSocial

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“Empowering Change: Using the Power of Cutting-Edge Technologies to Scale Social Impact”​ was originally published in Metta Social on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

“During a crisis, change is driven by pain and the austerity that stems from it”

The global pandemic of COVID-19 is creating havoc amongst the worldwide population and has led to enormous changes in the lives of people. With millions of people affected, an enormous disturbance has erupted amidst the existence and survival of mankind. As important it is to accommodate the changes this pandemic brings with itself, it is even more crucial to recognize the silver lining amidst the dark clouds of crisis.

Until today, it is not discernible that this pandemic is not the only hassle that India has faced as a country. To take a step back and reorient our focus towards the adversities that have occurred in the early 1990s, for example, the Mandal agitation, the Bombay riots, and the Latur earthquake, it was evident that the country was in dire need of a better socio-economic model along with a scope of developing more efficient ways of dealing with emergencies. These adversities were responsible for culminating an existential crisis for the major metropolitan cities and left the citizens in absolute shock. The very roots of our education policy that implies new opportunities and avenues for students were shaken to the core and the standards and timelines seemed obscure to most of the youth. The struggle, whether it rose from man-made reasons or natural calamities, insinuated that the country does not have viable economic and administrative units.

The only difference between these past disturbances and the current pandemic situation is the magnitude of people it is affecting regularly. This has led to the genesis of confusion and disparate opinions about the impact it will have in the future. It is indeed important to think about the future, as well as to look for options to facilitate the same. It is important to think about how the social enterprises joined hands for relief work when the plight of the pandemic started worsening. There were investors, both individuals, and clusters of them, who were benevolent towards these causes, along with the staff that volunteers on the basic level, who selflessly worked for people without agonizing about consequences. The preliminary thought about requiring a future fuelled several groups of people to create platforms that are capable of reimagining job roles and livelihoods.

Decoding Reverse Migration:

The subject of reverse migration raises different questions about the decentralization of economic zones and the viability of economic units as per the existing metric system. There are approximately 100 prevailing economic units, which consist of about 35–40 cities and numerous special economic zones (SEZs), and reverse migration has unsettled this baseline, which leads us to re-evaluate the feasibility of channelizing these zones into villages while keeping the social, economic and environmental paradigms intact. However, on a more realistic stance, it is easier to re-center these zones into towns that house a moderate population. In this way, there is an expectation of fulfilling the goals of reimagining livelihoods in an economic model that is re-designed accordingly. The current model of the economy relies on a physical space that ultimately governs the social transformation, and thereby facilitates the migration of people in search of a means to earn their daily bread.

“Life is simple if we can decode it in a manner that is implementable”

In this context, it makes us form an idea about the fundamental requirements for the paradigm shift in developing these areas. The hierarchical breakdown of resources may assist in the establishment of economic expansion, for example, the obvious requirement of essentials such as water, food, electricity, healthcare, education systems, and a skilled workforce. The re-assessment of these amenities leads us to find the glimmer of hope amidst the pain of reverse migration. Every commodity listed above is now being viewed in a different light along with deciphering the fundamental components that make the availability seem simple.

“A lot of people have been realizing that these changes are a must, it is no longer something that we can come back to later, and therefore, there is a need to decode this situation.”

Establishing the New Normal:

With scabs forming over previous wounds of adversities, the youth of today along with the development sector needs to reconsider the options of adopting new solutions for the community. We can define how the work of an individual is a clear definition of oneself, and that the solutions should stem from the job opportunities that can be created for people.

“Based on pay-scales and skillsets, the lower the society values the skillset, the higher the impact of the lockdown on people.”

Consequently, it is the responsibility of social enterprises to minimize the impact of the lockdown or any other crisis that the new normal brings with itself. A migrant, in a broader sense, has now lost the mobility which was essentially driving the growth of the economy. With the relinquishment of this driving force, the incentive must be steered towards more forthcoming avenues, such as the healthcare infrastructure since most of the uncertainty revolves around this criterion.

“This pandemic has taught us to introspect and to believe in the power of change, and also the fact that bringing about that change is our responsibility to those who suffered, to develop more inclusive job profiles.”

The amalgamation of business and charity can aid people to reiterate their way of living, where they can earn as well as receive help, whilst keeping their self-respect intact. With the current scenario in perspective, it cannot be inferred that the migration of people to cities will stop completely, but it does depict a certain amount of restrictions and apprehensions amongst themselves. This should suggest that new opportunities should be carved for people such as they do not lose their skillset, as well as uphold their economic integrity. Undeniably, life happens, but it is eventually about how we realign ourselves to the alterations these events bring with them.

Major organizations have directed their focus towards redefining jobs to workers and providing “cloud social security”, which can lead to the formulation of a more inclusive health insurance or savings plan. Multiple models and collaboration can assist in the development of the same. Unconventional education models, which can often be viewed as divisive in its manner, make the impression of continuous learning only accessible through technology for most people, and this very outlook needs urgent modification. The only hope that we can ascertain is the ability to change in all these standardized models and the faith in redesigning the next decade.

Key impressions:

1. Breakdown of the concept of re-establishing developmental models.
2. Adapting to the new standards of safety and living.
3. Creating a secure environment for developing economic zones.

Written by: Shreya Roy

Metta Social solutions Pvt Ltd

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Donate to the Digital Daana campaign which is a mission to bridge the digital divide in education :

https://www.digitaldaana.org/ (Currently for Indian donors only)

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How the world has changed due to COVID-19 was originally published in Metta Social on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

On a mission to enable access to digital education for 1 million children by 2023!

An initiative to enable global Indian Community to help & support underprivileged children in India!

https://medium.com/media/9d92d00f88ac9824b4a6ceccd43e33b3/href

Short story:

Little hands parted the curtains of the small window, quietly sneaking a look at the road and quickly scurried inside. Pia and her brother were trying to find the “corona monster” that has terrorised everyone in their neighbourhood. It was in March when the school had dismissed all of them and advised them to stay at home. The sun was scorching, as Pia walked back home with her brother, thinking about all the questions she had for her teacher. Why does it rain? Who paints the rainbow? Why is the sky blue? How many numbers do we learn? So many questions!

It feels like ages ago since Pia had been to school, studied, or played with her friends in the playground. She still learned her old lessons and wished to read more. She had heard from an aunt nearby that the school can reopen if everyone had a laptop or smartphone. She asked her Baba if they would get one too, even agreed to share it with her brother. To her dismay, Baba had no answer- they could barely make ends meet in these trying times. The “corona monster” had ruined school for her.

The coronavirus pandemic has rendered nearly 16 lakh children from low-income families like Pia, to struggle with the paucity of digital devices to access basic education through online classes. According to a survey conducted by NCERT, Delhi, approximately 27% of students do not have access to smartphones or laptops to attend online classes (Source: NCERT). This digital divide and disruption is causing a nationwide increase in learning deficiencies amongst students, leading to an extensive learning gap.

Together, let’s make an effort to bridge the gap between Pia and her education and donate a laptop/smartphone. Join the Digital Daan Campaign today!

Come, join hands with us as we help you make a difference in the progress and development of this generation.

Donation page: https://www.digitaldaana.org/ (Currently for Indian donors only)

Written by: Shreya Roy

Metta Social solutions Pvt Ltd

Follow us on Social Media:

Digital Daana: https://linktr.ee/DigitalDaana

Metta Social: https://linktr.ee/MettaSocial

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Digital Daana was originally published in Metta Social on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

“Our world is accessible on one single device now. Currently people are attending office meetings through a mobile, children are attending school on a mobile, we are watching movies on the mobile. Well,now we are even practicing social distancing on the same mobile”

Today Social Media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, have become primary sources of information. With the advent of such platforms in the 21st century, we are not only learning the latest news but also using these vehicles to provide personal and business updates. Now with rapid technological advancements, special purpose organizations with social media channels can easily connect with their target audience and even add a personal touch in their messaging which can be sometimes difficult to deliver through letters and emails.

For Businesses and NGOs, this means leveraging social media to support employees, customers, fundraisers and other stakeholders. The world has become a very small place to live now. We can connect with anyone at any point of the world. Where does your organization stand in this domain? Is your organization using social media? Are you telling the right story online? Let’s answer these questions step by step.

Giving The Right Picture To The Right Audience

Social Media Marketing can help nonprofits narrate their story in a compelling and effective way. It can build awareness for their cause. It helps the world understand what drives their enterprise. This will gain empathy and support for their work, and also help them raise funds with the right communications.

“Charity for water” is an NGO that has been successful in achieving all of this through their social media presence. They have raised almost $370 million dollars since 2006 by simple branding in such a way that people notice. Branding brings money. Even though their designs are basic, but most importantly they have a compelling story to tell. Also, the NGO has used various media vehicles such as television, online marketing, event, fundraising networks etc. so that they attract all kinds of audience.

Let’s talk about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Even though a lot of people were not aware of the purpose behind the challenge, it helped generate over $100 million and grabbed attention from all over the world. This is the power of social media. It creates a ripple effect, and creates a mass appeal.

Where Do We Begin ?

Begin by Setting your goals! Think about what you want to achieve and identify your challenges. But, remember to be practical with your goals. Definite goals and finding out means on how you can achieve them. Also, keep in mind that everything is not possible through mere online presence.

Identify your audience People’s decisions to donate are heavily swayed by how organizations engage with them online. It plates a pivotal role in their decision making. The target audience varies from cause to cause. The target audience of a healthcare NGO will be very different from that of an NGO dealing with education.

Telling the right story. This is one of the most ancient but potent marketing tools for any organization. The audience can be attracted by emotion, thought provoking journey though vivid images and powerful words.

“Organic social media marketing will increase donations. People will start investing in you. It’s highly economical and effective, if viral. Two- way communication is vital since that helps create effective campaigns”

The Building Blocks Of Social Media

The right website A responsive intuitive website with effective storytelling sets the foundation for the best way to garner support from across the internet. It should allow interactions and donations. The website should work on all devices, specially a mobile. A lot of organizations with requisite permissions can even collect donations via their website.

Facebook holds the global hotspot with over 2 billion users. This is the only social media platform used by people of all age groups- elderly, middle aged, young and even the retired. Each platform has its own essence and Vernon recommends that posting on Facebook should be 2–5 times a week.

Youtube is a great platform for creating emotive stories about various projects. The ideal age group to target via youtube is 19–49 years. This vehicle allows organizations to narrate their stories in a better way. The duration of a youtube video should be between 5–20 minutes.

Instagram as a social media platform is more young and vibrant. Dominantly the ideal age group to target via Instagram is under 35 years. Ideally, organizations should post daily on instagram to keep the audience hooked.

Twitter is used by a diverse audience of users from every age group predominantly 25–34 years. This platform is mainly for sharing meaningful updates and announcements. The messaging via twitter should be in a simple fashion with not much flowery language.

Hashtags help converge and connect ideas together and helps bring traffic of like minded donors to your causes quickly. Ideally it helps linking posts across all social media platforms. Also, specific hashtags for your campaigns helps aligning them together.

SEO Organic presence in your sector is very important. Using the right keywords in your website content is vital. Blogging is integral to all your work. Stories should be told in blog format. Local SEO is also necessary to help you get your immediate donors accessible.

Email marketing is the most cost effective channel. Building the right database and reaching out to tell them about your cause is essential. Right vocabulary as well as the right tone should be kept in mind while putting out a message. Try telling the right story with the right words and bring rhythm, rhyme and everything that you can move the recipients.

Storytelling content that works

Emotive images that can be used to narrate a story and hence, NGOs need to invest in photography and videography to bring out the best of their capabilities. Today, almost everyone has an internet connection. Video qualities are improving like ever before. People now prefer to watch videos than read blogs. Hence, documenting work and projects through images and videos is very important. NGOs need to invest in their staff. They are their backbone. The employees should feel at home and with the correct storytelling, even the audience wants to relate to them. Events and fundraisers help a lot. There are a lot of new innovative ways to connect with each other now.

In all it’s the correct engineering of the three Cs- Connect, convey and collaborate. These will help the organizations immensely on this journey of social media. You should always keep in mind that content on the internet is internal, therefore plan and access your content before posting.Social media is a great and a powerful medium to reach out to people, therefore it should be used with discretion and control to create a positive image for your work.

Written by: Yashu Saini

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Social media marketing for Special purpose organisations by Vernon Fernandes was originally published in Metta Social on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.