Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations
A reminder of why this book is important and relevant to your business, and your work.
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Book, Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations Shortlisted
This has been a good news week and humbling set against all the devastating news that is happening in Ukraine right now. The book, Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations, which was published in 2021 has been shortlisted by the UK Business Book Awards.
It is such a proud moment for me and the book, for it to be acknowledged and to be shortlisted, alongside a strong list of books and authors.
There are 15 global interviews in this book and I was lucky to interview these brilliant minds, as their wisdom and knowledge makes the book. I was also incredibly lucky to have environmental journalist, Lucy Siegle write the foreword for the book, which gives it context.
When I was writing the book, we were going into a global pandemic and I had no idea at that time, how much the pandemic would influence the book. COVID-19 has accelerated the need for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and put it high on the agenda for all types of businesses and sectors. Now more than ever, it is important for all organisations to have authentic CSR at the heart of both their business strategy and brand.
There is also a special chapter on India within the book, which for me is an important part of the book because we can learn so much from the East. In this chapter, I have interviewed an Indian Yogi, who talks about CSR and mindset, and that CSR is a shift in thinking for all entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business leaders, across all sectors and regions.
On a personal note, this book has been an achievement, because when writing it, I had just lost my mum. At that time I had this block in my head, where the words did not make sense. I now realise, that I was writing through grief.
I feel like a winner, and I have no fingers crossed. My hope now is that more people buy the book so that we can make the changes that this planet so desperately needs.
Chartered Institute of Marketing -CIM – Sustainability Summit, 31 March, London
Spring has sprung and we are re-emerging from this global pandemic, which means real-life events are back with a wonderful bang! Between March and April, I have a few events coming up, including this Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Sustainability Summit on 31 March in London.
The number of challenges we face is overwhelming at the moment. However, the environmental challenge (the biggest challenge) is one we can ALL do something about both individually and collectively.
If you want to:
- Learn more about how you can become carbon literate, why it is so important, and the opportunities it brings?
- Dive into and explore and understand the circular economy?
- Hear all about the importance of effective communication, how to talk about sustainability, the power of authentic storytelling and the significant role marketing has in changing the course we are on?
- Find out what initiatives and solutions are out there to support you and your business on your sustainability journey, no matter what point you are at?
Then come along to CIM | The Chartered Institute of Marketing which has a host of amazing people – Sue Fennessy, James George, Michelle Carvill – MA, FCIM, Author, Emily Laws, John Grant, Helen Hepworth FCIM, Phil Korbel, Jennifer Wilson, Purpose Disruptors (with more names to be announced) all eager to share and drive change for a better future.
Come and ask questions, get involved in discussions, and most importantly grow your sustainability network to help support you and your business moving forward. For more information and to book click here – https://bit.ly/35GkIAE
We all need to drive change for a better future. The United Nations climate panel warned us on 28 February in its major new report that it released, that climate change is upon us and humanity is far from ready,
Shortlisted for Women in Marketing 2022 Awards: Storyteller of The Year
Well, am over the moon to let you all know that I have been shortlisted for this year’s Women in Marketing (WiM) Awards, in the category of Wim Storyteller of The Year, which recognizes my corporate social responsibility, climate change, and sustainability interviews and news pieces that I have been writing over the years.
This year’s WiM Awards are entitled, Hope, Humanity & Healing and it is extra special as is back after a two-year hiatus.
It is such a great feeling to be shortlisted, especially, as my work has been valued by a panel of judges. It has made all those moments of hustling, chasing those interviews, being away from home…worth it!
The Awards take place on 2 March, so fingers crossed till then!
Goodbye 2021 and Happy New Year
Well, I have not written anything for a long time here and apologies for that, but the latter part of the year became extraordinarily busy with client work, book work and teaching. By the time December arrived, there was still no sign of things slowing down. Christmas suddenly had arrived, and a few days before Christmas eve, I decided to down tools till January arrived, otherwise, I knew I would completely miss out on the feeling of Christmas that I love.
Serendipity PR was featured in the Women of the City Magazine, which was such a coup and helped create lots of book and business opportunities.
One of the highlights of 2021, was that I attended COP26, where I was in the blue zone with the world leaders. I managed to hustle and get into the opening session with Sir David Attenborough, Prince Charles, and other world leaders. It was an incredible and lasting experience. I also had the unexpected moment to meet Prime Minister Modi and have my photo taken with him!
COP26 itself was very chaotic, frenetic, and disorganised. But amid all this noise, there was an underlined message, that kept cropping up at the World Leaders plenary sessions and at the fringes, which is this – all businesses have an important role to play in helping to shift the climate change needle within the next ten years. World leaders acknowledged that there are businesses with more wealth and resources than most governments, who can invest in finding new technologies and renewable energies to fight climate change and these businesses needed a seat at the table. Along with the big businesses, the world leaders also spoke about how it was important for small businesses to have authentic corporate social responsibility, which proved to me how relevant and important my book is – Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations.
At Serendipity PR, we had the opportunity to work on some fabulous client projects, which included working on the curry awards again for the third year running, which is always a joy to be able to champion the best curry houses on our high streets. In other client work, we not only managed to generate 52 pieces of international coverage for Constructive Voices but also helped to create new business opportunities by creating relevant media partnerships.
There have been lots of good things that happened this year, despite living parts of the year in lockdown with limited travel. It has been a kinder year, which has sown seeds for new things in 2022.
Happy New Year All!
Waterstones, Enfield, 30 September from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Life has been slowly limping back to some kind of normal and as our children head back to school and we master a hybrid working from home and office, we are also now experiencing events. So, am very excited to announce that I will be hosted by my local Waterstones in Enfield, for their very first book event since the pandemic, which will also be my first face-to-face book event since the book was published this February!
It will be a small gathering of people who are interested in corporate social responsibility, ethical business, and of course in my book itself, Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations.
If you would like to know more about the event and perhaps even join me on 30 September do drop me a line at sangeeta@serendipitypr.co.uk
Ethical Consumer Week 2021 Closing the Climate Gap, 16 to 22 October, 2021
Ethical Consumer Week is returning for a second year and I am pleased that I will be part of the week, running a session about corporate social responsibility (CSR), based around my book, Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations, and I will be joined by social founder, James Thirlwall, founder of animalltea, an ethical tea company.
This year, Ethical Consumer Week will be looking at what it will take to bridge the gap? How can businesses, governments, and consumers work together to make the change required? And what might a fairer, more equitable world look like on the other side?
What’s special about Ethical Consumer Week is that people can sign up and pay what they feel for their tickets for each event.
In the session, I am hosting with James, entitled, How to put CSR at the heart of your company and maximize the business benefits? We will be discussing how now, more than ever, it is important for all types of businesses to have authentic CSR initiatives that are not a publicity spin. Research shows that CSR improves long-term business performance and that consumers are more likely to buy from companies with strong ethical values. Customers and employees are speaking with their values as well as their wallets!
CSR is a critical part of a company’s performance and reputation. In this webinar, you will learn how to incorporate CSR values into a business strategy and brand. You will also understand the difference between CSR and PR. This will enable you to create strong, enduring brands, where the PR and marketing flows from the CSR values, benefitting your business, employees, customers, and investors.
James will be sharing his insights about starting an ethical and purpose-led brand. James launched animalltea during the global pandemic and has CSR baked into its business strategy. animalltea is a UK speciality tea company that uses 100% of its net profit to fund wildlife conservation. All its teas are pesticide-free, organic or biodynamic, and what’s special about this brand is that it exists to protect wildlife, supports sustainable farming, and wants to inspire a love of nature in our communities – all through tea.
We’re not on track to meet global emission reduction goals and we need everyone on board to make the impact needed. This includes all types of businesses. CSR is the future of business, and it is the time for all types of businesses to have CSR as the lifeblood for all their customers and employees.
Click here for more details about the session and how to book, and we hope to see you there!
Here’s a link to know more about my book, Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations
The Role Of Nature, Wellness & Wellbeing In The Digital Age
On 2 June from 1pm to 2pm, come and join me and this panel for this free event, where we are discussing wellbeing in the workplace in this digital age. Now, wellbeing at work has finally become important, particularly during this global pandemic and is very much part of a company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Come and find out more and hear from this great panel. Details to book click here
Webinar: How to put CSR at the heart of your company and maximise the business benefits
I am running this webinar for the Association of MBA’s (AMBA) on 27 May from 12pm to 1pm – How to put CSR at the heart of your company and maximise business benefits.
AMBA is committed to raising the profile and quality standards of business education internationally, for the benefit of Business Schools, MBA students and graduates and alumni, employers, communities and society.
If free, come along – click here!