How To Create A More Ethical And Socially Aware Brand

Some business owners believe that navigating the socially aware world of modern business is like walking through a minefield. Make one wrong step, and you can end up in a very nasty situation. However, there’s a strong correlation between people who say this and people who say things like ‘you can’t say anything anymore’ or ‘that was okay a few years ago’. 

The reality is that the world has had enough of the way businesses are run. That is, most companies don’t care about the world or society. This leads to so many injustices and lots of people being taken advantage of. The best advice for any modern business owner is to build a brand centered on ethics and social awareness. This will help your brand reputation, but it will also ensure you run a business as a business should be run!

Here are some tips to help you create a more ethical and socially aware brand:

Abolish the gender pay gap

The gender pay gap is very much real and exists throughout society. On average, women earn less than men even when they have the same qualifications and job roles. So, the first thing your business can do is abolish this gap and pay your employees equally based on their roles. If you have to executives of different genders, they both get paid the same. 

Hire a diverse team

Diversity in the workplace is another massive issue around the world. Too many companies are full of white men – particularly in positions of power. Any diversity that is present is usually in the lower roles where most of the hard grafting is done. When putting together a team of employees, hire based on ability and qualifications. Realistically, this will provide you with a diverse team as you’ll soon see that people of all races and genders are qualified for your roles. Diversity should be celebrated as it can lead to new ideas and ways of thinking that you miss out on when everyone is from the same cultural upbringing.

Support meaningful causes

Show that your business cares about social injustices and problems in the world by supporting meaningful causes. Partner your business with a local charity or put on fundraising events for certain foundations. You could even set up your own foundation supporting a particular cause. If you’re looking for ideas, you can learn from the Islamic faith. In Islam, people will often donate Sadaqah Jariya to causes, which basically means they provide ongoing donations. Take a similar approach in your business to support causes that matter and give back to the world/your local community. 

Be more eco-friendly

Of course, another ethical problem is the contribution businesses make to carbon emissions. Big corporations are responsible for most pollution in the world. As a small business, you should have clear eco-friendly policies that show you’re lowering your carbon footprint.

All of these ideas help you create a brand that’s ethical and socially aware. Again, this is excellent for your reputation but also ensures you have a business model to be proud of.