warm-up
If you're reading this, you are either a friend of Kath's or Elaena's,
an Active Voice client or you're part of the growing community of people
who recognise Corporate Social Responsibility is the issue of 2003.
The financial press is full of CSR stories. The marketing and advertising
press has cottoned on. And last month saw the design industry jump aboard.
One leading trade publication put out a special issue focusing on environmental
issues and sustainable design - something we're passionate about at Active
Voice.
Active Voice has been in business about 18 months now. Since we started
out with vague notions of ethical communication and responsible corporate
citizenship, we've refined what it is we really do. That process has been
supported by the growing voice of CSR leaders. It's a voice that's making
sense to more and more business people because it has such a strong business
case - as well as ethical imperatives.
We want to be part of that mainstreaming of CSR. And as communicators,
we see enormous potential to harness our expertise in support of that
goal.
This is the first issue of Voice. We look forward to your feedback.
teaming up
Active Voice expands graphic design offering
We're very pleased to welcome Emi Kamimura to the Active Voice team.
Emi is a talented graphic designer who wowed us with her creative
flair to get the job over 39 rivals.
Emi's insight into the important role of design in meeting communication
goals is a great asset to Active Voice. And her multimedia skills
augment our design offering.
Welcome Emi!
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values in action
The rise of CSR is seeing values become one of the most scrutinised
aspects of organisational performance.
Talented employees look for value fit with their employer. Corporates
look for value alignment with the projects and organisations with whom
they partner. And consumers increasingly make brand choices based on perceived
values of companies and how they operate - that is, whether or not they
are walking their talk.
This is exciting stuff for communicators like us. It seems that organisations
that can excite passion around shared values will have a competitive edge.
We recently ran a values workshop with the staff of our client, Active
Job Services. Active places and supports people with disability into open
employment. Through story telling, open forums and a series of exercises,
we helped staff identify their values. We also looked at how the organisation
was performing against those values and what activities could be put in
place to demonstrate those values in action.
Outcomes of the workshop will help guide the organisation's strategic
planning process, which Active Voice is also facilitating.
"We found the values workshop very useful on many levels. The
exercises were practical and easy to grasp, and staff found the day
invigorating with a resulting lift in morale. The results will tie in
very nicely with our strategic planning for next year. We will continue
to use Active Voice to develop and improve our systems and process."
-------- Colin Henson, GM Active Job Services
If exploring values sounds like something that could assist your business,
we'd love to hear from you.
CSR resources
In each issue of Voice!, we'll draw your attention to an organisation
that's committed to CSR - either through their core business, like Positive
Outcomes below, or through particular projects or initiatives.
We'll also highlight a must-see event - and throw in a tip or snippet
of info for good measure.
speak up about…
Positive Outcomes helps businesses to become sustainable through CSR and
corporate citizenship strategies. They also help not-for-profits become
partner ready. And they've had a hand in several award winning community
business partnerships. Check out their offerings at www.positiveoutcomes.com.au
don't miss…
Walking the third bottom line
Breakfast seminar series 25-31 July 2003 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Examines the business case for corporate responsibility and how to embed
sustainability into strategy, culture and operations. See you there! www.australianbenchmarking.com.au
good measure…
The Prime Minister's Community Business Partnership awards recognise partnerships
that "actively contribute to social cohesion and a better Australia".
There are three categories of awards - those for small, medium and large
businesses. Are you involved in a partnership that might be eligible?
Ask Active Voice how we can help and check out www.partnership.zip.com.au
signing off
If this ezine has been of value to you, perhaps you would consider forwarding
it to others. If you would prefer not to receive future issues of Voice!,
please unsubscribe.
Type "unsubscribe" in the comments section.
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subscribing.
Active Voice is a communication agency committed to projects that make
a difference.
To find out more, take a peek at our web site www.activevoice.net.au.
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