Why Corporate Responsibility Matters

I’ve been fortunate to build my career at companies that value both the immediate bottom line and the legacy they leave beyond profitability. The importance of shared value, sustainability and corporate responsibility was something I learned early in my career and I’m honored to continue to encourage these values at Redbox.

As business leaders, it’s up to us to make a positive impact on the world through our team’s work. Forty-four percent of the top 100 economic entities in the world are corporations. Those companies generate more than six trillion dollars in revenue, or, more than 11 percent of the global GDP. When you pause to consider that massive responsibility, it calls us all to realize: Not only is the business sector responsible for creating economic growth, but it must also undertake the task of fostering the values of sustainability and shared value.

And the employees of these companies must be involved and inspired to make a difference. My time as a young manager at McCaw Cellular seeded my deep belief in the impact of volunteerism – both on the bottom line and on employee loyalty. Craig McCaw organized a service trip for the company’s leaders to help rebuild Homestead, Florida, after Hurricane Andrew. We stayed at a camp and physically worked each day to help the people of Homestead. Craig was trying to teach us about the value of service and the ability we had to come together as a team to humbly serve. Through this personal engagement with the community, we would get to know our consumers, ourselves and our greater role in a personally impactful way.

These experiences have helped me put an emphasis on supporting corporate responsibility in the business I lead at Outerwall. I aspire to lead in a way that empowers my team to make a difference, because others before me did the same and the value was undeniable.

If you’re an employee looking to encourage your company to get involved, speak with the leadership team about opportunities, importance and impact. For companies looking to get started, reach out to our team at csr@outerwall.com for ideas and support.

Anne’s blog is based on a speech she gave the Points of Light’s 2012 Conference on Volunteering and Service.