More than a shift in mindset: The effect of net social impact

These days, the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) cannot be stressed enough. Companies need to realign their plans with emphasis given to CSR.

Forbes listed CSR trends this year, and experts believe the time has come to put employees, communities, and customers at the forefront. The world has seen the effects of climate change and how people and customers are clamoring for more environmental awareness from the brands and companies they support. Now, enterprises are trying to put their best foot forward in shifting to a green company.

The important thing is to position themselves as a company that is sensitive to what is going around in the world and how they can use their platform to propel changes for the better.

“It will be crucial in 2018 for business leaders to add to this by stating what they are for: namely an effort to ensure that an economy in flux takes into account the disruption of employment; the need to invest in new technologies that will usher in a clean energy revolution, and also support for collaborative, multilateral solutions to global challenges,” BSR CEO Aron Cramer explains.

Universal issues such as climate change, poverty and hunger can only be addressed with collective efforts. One of the companies trying to make the world a better place to live in by doing small steps is cause-related marketing firm, Exponential, Inc. (XPO²), which is headed by founder and CEO Dom Einhorn.

XPO² recently conducted a tree planting activity in Kenya’s Ngong Hills together with partner organizations such as Kajiado County Environmental Action Group/Mazingiramashinani, Embulbul/Ololua Environment Waste Management Group, Team Environment Kenya and PotNetwork Holdings, Inc. (OTCMKTS:POTN). POTN is one of the world’s leading cannabis companies, and it plans to do more CSR events with the help of XPO² and other NGOs.

Aside from the tree planting activity in Kenya, POTN also spearheaded charitable events in the Philippines and Vietnam. Diamond CBD, a subsidiary of POTN, is also doing its fair share in the activities. In February of this year alone, the company recorded sales revenue amounting to $2 million. The future looks promising for the industry in general. Experts believe the CBD market could grow into a multibillion-dollar industry. As a way of giving back, Diamond CBD aims to promote the use of CBD oils as an alternative to improve the quality of health and well-being in third world countries.

Moreover, XPO² also provides an NGO crowdfunding platform for a new kind of fundraising and investment support with the use of marketing and technology tools. XPO²’s partnership with The United Premier Soccer League is a testament to the platform staying true to its mission. The collaboration inspires grassroots programs to promote football among the youth. The teams, especially the players, get help to continue living their dreams of hopefully making it in the big leagues one day.

This year, big changes are expected to happen in companies with how they stand on global issues. Consumers are more aware of the brands and companies they identify with. Companies such as POTN, Diamond CBD and XPO² aim to improve the lives of other people by providing assistance and care one day at a time.