Your CSR efforts are being questioned by a stakeholder. How will you address their concerns effectively?

"When you are CSR professional think like stakeholder and when you are stakeholder think like CSR professional." This is common problem in CSR and one common reason is not involving stakeholders in CSR planning. It often happens that important stakeholders are not involved in CSR planning, designing and communication. It creates gap in understanding, communication and resolving issues. If they are valued, given importantance and involved in every process from starting, i believe there will be no issue of questioning of one's intention on CSR or anyother work.

When a stakeholder questions your CSR efforts, start by acknowledging their concerns and providing clear context around your current initiatives. Outline future plans and set measurable goals to show commitment to continuous improvement. Foster collaboration by inviting their input, creating a sense of co-ownership in shaping solutions. Maintain transparent and objective communication, addressing challenges honestly. Be willing to adapt your strategies based on their feedback, and follow up regularly to build trust and long-term relationships. This approach reassures stakeholders and ensures that CSR efforts remain relevant, impactful, and well-received.

When a stakeholder questions the CSR efforts one should start with the transparency via sharing monitoring reports of initiatives, such reports will allow a view over success and area of improvement. With this continuous open dialogue should be held for addressing concerns, sharing future plans and bringing in the regular updates for building credibility and reassuring and enhancing the confidence of stakeholder.

These are the key aspects to look into when it comes to addressing the stakeholders in CSR: - Open dialogue with stakeholders - Listen to them carefully - Ensure that the stakeholders' concerns are heard and addressed properly - Get them involved in CSR initiatives - Ensure the transperancy and proper communication about CSR efforts - Conduct regular meetings with them to update the progress - Make them feel that they are the owners of the activities of CSR (as we do it for them/their development) Regards, Vishnukannan M