Corporate responsibility make good sense says transportation leader Cullan Meathe

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How does a successful company stand out from its peers in today's competitive marketplace? According to Cullan Meathe of Yellow Cab Service Corporation of Florida, companies need to distinguish themselves by incorporating corporate responsibility throughout their overall culture and business practices.

Corporate responsibility is a term regularly invoked in every industry sector and by companies and organizations across the globe.

Meathe believes it is a combination of ethical values, strong stewardship, fair treatment of clients and employees, ongoing community outreach, and addressing social and environmental issues.

"Doing what is right for one's customers and employees, as well as local communities and the planet reflects well on a company," Meathe says. "To be viewed as a good corporate citizen is important. Society as a whole expects that companies will step outside of their daily business model to implement programs benefiting the needy, the regional economy and the environment. It frowns on firms that seem to disregard these basic tenets."

He adds, "Because 21st century's technology and communications are making more business ventures global, the world seems to have shrunk. We are becoming increasingly interrelated with people living and working in countries all over the world. A business decision made here might not only affect local communities, but also could impact rainforests in South America."

Any company can seek success and hope to make money. Its owners and shareholders demand that. Responsible organizations, however, strive for more than just the bottom line. They instill corporate responsibility in their core values and operate with a social conscience, treat their employees fairly and deal well with their customers and shareholders.

Community outreach is a very visible form of corporate responsibility. It can take on many forms. Perhaps it is a program whereby a business's leadership and employees share their expertise in helping set up local improvement initiatives or mentor individuals in other organizations. Many companies adopt charitable organizations in their area and develop literacy or food donation projects for their clients. Others might spearhead a campaign for a new building for a nonprofit organization or sponsor an annual fundraising walk. Considerable numbers of them provide volunteers and assistance on a continuing basis to various community projects and encourage their leadership to participate on charities' boards and committees.

Regarding how a company relates to the larger world around it, Meathe states, "With global issues such as labor laws, exploitation of workers and the environment being matters closely scrutinized and discussed worldwide, these are no longer just concerns for local governments to address and mete out punishment to offending companies. Large corporations around the globe are realizing that any transgressions will affect not only their revenues, but also their reputation and branding. A case in point is the unfortunate oil spill by BP."

Being perceived as harming the world is definitely not an ideal business model, particularly when weighty penalties and fines accompany that. Whether a multinational company is buying goods produced in sweat shops in third world countries, violating workers' human and civil rights, or turning a blind eye to human trafficking, it should re-evaluate its ethics.

Corporate responsibility doesn't necessarily improve a company's financial outcomes, explains Meathe. What it certainly does is ensure that the community and the world at large are not negatively impacted by its business practices. A responsible company acts with high moral values and reaches out to help the communities in which it operates. Importantly, its reputation is enhanced and its customers and shareholders appreciate its efforts.

Corporate responsibility make good sense says transportation leader Cullan Meathe

By: John Smith

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