Minara
Promoting Business Social Responsibility

Business social responsibility has many different dimensions. A socially responsible business treats its employees with dignity – it pays employees a livable wage, provides basic benefits, and does not engage in exploitative employment practices. Valuing the work of employees is not just a moral issue, it is also a business imperative. Employees are the most important resource in any business, and valuing their work makes excellent business sense.

Too often we forget that businesses are built into the fabric of communities. They provide goods and services community members, and in return receive continued and loyal patronage. This symbiotic relationship has existed for millennia and will continue as long as there are people on the planet. Being responsive to the needs of the community and contributing to its wellbeing is an integral part of doing business in a socially responsible manner.

The world of business is increasingly becoming a smaller place. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the everyday things we use. Our clothes may be made in Colombia or Haiti, our shoes in Vietnam, and that nice leather jacket may be from Turkey. Beneath all this seeming global economic bounty however, there are countless tales of exploitation and misery. The world may have grown smaller in some ways, but the gaps are only growing larger – this is true not only in rest of the world, but it also true in our own backyard. Each one of us needs to get involved in reversing this race to the bottom. We can begin by making every business in our own community a socially responsible business.

Minara works with consumers, businesses, and voluntary organizations to promote the ethic of business social responsibility at a local level. We work cooperatively with these groups in providing information to the public, promoting socially responsible business ventures, engaging in public education campaigns, and educating local politicians.

Provide Information to the public: Minara is developing a directory of local businesses that follow socially responsible business practices. Businesses will be certified as being socially responsible based on criteria that include employee pay and benefits, and community involvement. We are currently in the process of developing these criteria in consultation with academics, business groups, and activist organizations. The directory will be made available to the public through a number of media outlets.

Promote Socially Responsible Business Practices: Through its directory and other publications, Minara promotes local businesses that follow SR business practices. We believe that socially responsible businesses have an edge over those who do not follow SR business practices. Members of the public with progressive social values are more likely to choose a socially responsible business if they are made aware of such local businesses.

Engage in an educational dialogue: Education is key to social change. The public needs to know why SR business practices should be supported. Businesses need to have knowledge about role models – businesses whose socially responsible practices led to success. Community organizations need to know how the marketplace can be used to further social causes. Minara hopes to catalyze this educational process through seminars, workshops and talks. We also hope to interact with local educational institutions – universities, colleges and schools in spreading ideas of business social responsibility to the younger generation.