3 Things I Learned Working at a Social Impact Business
Positive social impact in the economy has been trending for years, with huge corporations like Ben and Jerry’s and Tim Hortons implementing policies and programs to better global and local communities. Though it is incredible that these companies are heading in this direction, social impact has been more of a side job, an initiative separate from selling ice cream or coffee.
However, many new businesses have been founded with social impact driving their purpose and mission. This summer, I had the pleasure of interning at one of these social impact businesses, specifically a social impact marketing agency, and learned quite a lot.
- Social impact businesses are out there and doing amazing things!
The company I was interning at, PUBLIC Inc., has been bringing about positive social change since its inception. They incubate their own social impact campaigns, like Sit Kicker, which strives to rid workplaces across Canada of sedentary culture, and help huge corporations establish and market programs that bring about positive social change!
2. You don’t have to be a non-profit to do good. You can profit while positively impacting the world!
There is a common misconception that social impact businesses are all non-profits. However, this is simply not true! Social impact businesses can be for-profit while positively contributing to society. It’s an exceptionally clever and responsible business model, which has recently been soaring in popularity: the concept of balancing personal and community/global benefit.
TOMS is a great example of a for-profit business with philanthropy at its core and behind its creation. TOMS’ One for One initiative is at the company’s forefront; for every pair of shoes one buys, TOMS donates a pair of shoes to someone in need.
3. More and more large corporations are looking to establish socially benefiting programs and initiatives.
The trend of social responsibility in business has been rising for years, and many large corporations are recognizing this. Businesses have become more environmentally conscious, with huge names like Starbucks addressing climate change as a “top priority” and working to shrink their environmental footprint. Many others have been advocating for issues such as girls’ education rights, clean drinking water, and healthcare for developing countries.
There are many advantages to a large corporation adopting social impact in their business. Positively contributing to the global and local communities improves the reputation, brand, and public opinion of the company. Thus many corporations are flocking to establish and grow their social responsibility. This is a trend that I foresee will continue to grow substantially in the future.
