It is so easy to be Responsible ORB believes that the best way to change the world is to look at the small-stuff. You know, the ‘toothpick’ sized changes that each and every business could make that would not only improve the business but also help the communities, the employees and the customers and the planet. Forget the large, grand gestures (well, okay, maybe don’t forget these entirely if you’re really up for doing something big!) and look to the minutiae, the quick wins and the simple improvements that don’t cost your business much to do, help you feel like you’re making good progress and which over time will add up to a big, big difference. Because if every business was mindful like this, then we’d all be making a big, big difference to our world. Here are just a few examples from ...

We’ve all been on the end of that phrase at some point or other in our lives, haven’t we? It’s usually delivered with an indifferent shrug of a rather cold-shoulder. I know that when I’ve had that said to me, or felt able to say it to somebody else, it has never felt great. I’m not being a ‘snowflake’ here though. I do get that the mechanism of business behaviour won’t have the same feeling of connection and personal impact as behaviours experienced in my friendships and family life. But I still don’t ‘get’ why, when business is conducted by people how it can be anything other than personal. Don’t we all bring ourselves, our personalities, our values into our work and business? But it is not as simple as that. It seems that there is a disconnect in our minds – that ...

Why the Responsible Business Workbook can really help your business The following article has been provided by Jo Shaer, Managing Director of Lollipop Local, a digital agency based in Southend-on-Sea. Jo was eager to share how the Responsible Business Workbook had benefited her company. Lollipop Local is a member of ORB (Organisation for Responsible Businesses) and Jo was also interested in applying for a Southend Business and Community Charter Award a robust award for businesses that support the local community. As part of the application process for this award, businesses are required to purchase the Responsible Business Workbook and go through a self-assessment process to ensure they are operating ethically, efficiently, and responsibly – which also means meeting legal requirements. The workbook is also the basis for the Responsible Business Standard, an auditable certification designed specifically for small businesses, but it can be ...

Following on from the #ORBMember example who featured in our last blog; Harris Global - a recruitment agency doing the right-thing, treating their employees with simple humanity and ethics leading to a massive fall in employee churn rate and therefore a big boost to the business' profitability, reputation and sustainability – we're continuing the theme of “People” in the three-pillars of ethical biz (Profit, People, Planet): For many SMEs, the best, most available and most impactful thing they can do is be the best employer they can be; developing the individuals in their organisation, improving the lives of those they know best. It’s one of the “best” ways an SME can measure the return-on-investment of being more ethical and responsible (not least because you can see the smiles on your employees faces when they enjoy working for you!) But for many SME’s ...

The business of being in business is hard work – so why would you go and make it even harder by trying to make your business mindful of ethics and responsibility? This is a question we at ORB get asked a lot! And we understand why some people look at the idea of ensuring their business operates in an ethical and responsible manner as just a whole load of extra complexity and hard work in their already frantic working lives. We even had one business executive tell us “I’m just in business for the profits” We thanked him for his honesty at least! And of course, we’re not naïve, we understand that business is about producing a cash-surplus such that the business owners can be sustained in their needs and their desired lifestyle. But we also passionately believe that this particular ...