There are some companies that not only know what it means to be socially responsible but also try to be a shining beacon of social responsibility to the world. These companies know that the world is full of problems, and they aim to help. Here is a list of some companies trying to make the world a better place.
While everyone knows Google and probably uses its products every day, what you may
not know is that the company is the world’s largest corporate investor in renewable energy. On top of this, Google also gives grants to various organizations that work in local communities, like the Equal Justice Initiative, which fights to end mass incarceration. It has also partnered with Goodwill Industries to provide digital training to 1 million workers.
Ben & Jerry’s
This ice cream giant does what it can to help the little guys. Specifically, it has been fighting the use of the bovine growth hormone in dairy farming since 1989 due to its adverse effects on
family farming. The company has worked with other organizations such as Rock the Vote, the Occupy movement, and it took a stand against GMOs, stating that the population needs to know what is going into our food source–while promising that all of their ice creams are GMO-free.
Warby Parker
This inexpensive online eyeglass store sees the future clearly. Through its Buy a Pair, Give a Pair campaign, the company teaches people around the world how to administer eye exams and sell glasses at affordable prices. Warby Parker also runs the Pupils Project that works with organizations and government agencies to provide free vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to schoolchildren across the country.
Marc Jacobs
This fashion designer put out a photo book of his dog wearing various outfits, and while it might sound strange, it was for a good cause. With assistance from the Sato Project, all the book proceeds help lost and abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Working together, 1,400 dogs found new homes and better lives, according to Dogtipper.
Lego
Lego is one of the most popular building toys in the world. Now, the company is building a bridge to a better future through its commitment to reducing the company’s carbon footprint to zero by the year 2030. Lego is also working diligently to ensure that all products and packaging are made out of 100 percent sustainable materials. This, coupled with Lego’s commitment to give employees a high standard of living and its pledge to do business ethically, makes Lego a standard-bearer for socially responsible leadership.
Having a successful business is difficult enough, but being successful while being a pillar of social responsibility can be even harder. These companies have found a way to do it, and you can, too. These companies show us that being a leader of social responsibility is more than just sending out positive press releases; It’s taking direct action to make the world a better place.
