What We Learned in 2015

2015 was an exciting year! We worked to expand access to integrative healthcare for communities in need, designed programs to support new mothers, expanded awareness of clean energy initiatives in New York, and so much more. We connected with inspiring individuals who are working to change the world every day. We made big internal changes (that we’re excited to share with you in 2016!). And, perhaps most importantly, we learned a lot.

Along the way, we’ve been sure to share many of our takeaways with you via our blog. As 2015 comes to a close and you’re kicking of 2016, be sure to check out the posts below to find insights on the subjects (both personal and professional) that are most relevant to you!

Start with Yourself

This year, we learned a lot about the importance of taking time for self-care and self-improvement. The positive effects of taking care of yourself extend to all areas of your life -- from mental health to workplace effectiveness. Self-improvement looks different for each individual, and can encompass anything from taking time off, to making more responsible purchasing decisions, to educating yourself about things that matter to you. To help you get started, here’s some of what we’ve learned:

• Let’s Talk About Mental Health
• Teach Yourself a Lesson with These Free Online Courses
• The Power of “No”
• Want to Stay on Top of Your Game? Subscribe to These Newsletters
• Your Eco-Friendly & Cruelty-Free Guide to Winter Gear
• How to Point Yourself in a New & Impactful Career Direction
• The Ultimate Social Impact Reading List
• 4 Ways to Better Care for Yourself

 

Learn from the Experts

We believe one of the best ways to learn about social impact is by example. This year, we’ve been lucky enough to connect with and learn from innovative and effective leaders from nonprofits, social enterprises, and corporations. Here’s a bit of what we’ve learned:

• Work Hard & Be Nice: How Askinosie Chocolate is Changing the World
• Enjoy the Process: How Workshop Chicago Is Building a Community
• Start With Passion: How pilotED is Changing Education in Chicago
• Empower the People: How St. Luke is Making an Impact in Haiti
• Building Intentional Communities: How Levi Baer is Bringing People Together
• Just Jump: How Yellow Tractor is Empowering Change Through Gardening
• WhyWhisper's Founder on The Huffington Post: How to Use Business to Address Domestic Violence
• Behind-the-Scenes: Building a Business that's Focused on "Better"

 

Share Your Message

One of our focus areas at WhyWhisper is helping nonprofits and socially conscious businesses spread the word about their work. From developing voice and messaging guidelines to implementing an effective social media strategy and beyond, there are so many ways you can ensure that people know about the impact you’re making. If you’re looking for tips, start here:

• Which Social Media Platforms Are Right for You?
• 5 Ways to Step Up Your Hashtag Game
• Why You Need a Social Media Strategy
• 5 Reasons Why You Should be Blogging
• How to Get Social on Social Media
• Marketing: When You Should (& Should Not) Work With an Outside Firm
• How to Implement an Effective Content Strategy
• The Art of Efficient Social Media Management
• Developing Your Brand's Voice & Messaging Guidelines

 

Think About Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

The concept of building social impact into existing business models is on the rise, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Businesses and corporations can make significant headway in addressing social issues, and we look forward to seeing (and helping) more of you follow suit next year. If you’re interested in learning more about CSR, here’s some of what we’ve shared this past year:

• 5 Reasons to Implement an Employee Wellness Program
• Corporate Social Responsibility: How Starbucks is Making an Impact
• How to Be Authentic About Social Responsibility
• CSR Strategy: 4 Questions to Get You Started
• 6 Resources for Staying Informed About CSR
• CSR Spotlight: Ben & Jerry’s + New Belgium Partner for Climate Change
• The Unusual Suspects: 5 Big Companies That Are Doing Good

 

Increase Your Impact

We’re constantly exploring ways that organizations and businesses can make internal changes that have a positive effect on their workplaces and on the world. Here’s some of what we’ve learned:

• Why Compassion & Fairness Are Critical in Business
• Better Businesses? Here's Why and How
• How You Can Make A Sustainable Impact with the Hybrid Model
• Want to Change the World? Start with Your Workplace
• Inc.com Features WhyWhisper's Founder on Strategies for Social Impact
• How Can We Improve Mental Health in the Workplace?

 

Take Action

We’re also always looking for ways to help our community bridge the gap between caring about a particular issue and actually taking action. When you’re short on resources, or don’t really know where to get started, it can be tough to make moves. We’ve put together a number of posts about how you can take action around different issues – and some are as easy as talking about the issues online! Check them out:

• Join the Fight Against Human Trafficking
• Fight for Gender Equality
• 4 Unique Ways to Get More Sustainable This Earth Day
• Our 8 Favorite Social Impact Apps
• #BeingBetter Checklist: 10 Ways to Live More Sustainably Right Now
• Join the Kindness Movement
• Take a Stand for Human Rights

 

Words of Wisdom for Freelancers

At WhyWhisper, we set out to build a different kind of work structure. As such, our team is comprised of consultants who work remotely and independently, taking on projects that are personally meaningful with teammates who support and inspire. But freelancing has its own challenges, and we’ve learned a lot along the way:

• The Freelancer’s Guide to 2015
• The Pros & Cons of Freelancing
• Our Tips for Working On-the-Go This Summer

What’s your biggest learning from 2015? We’d love to hear about it, and share with our community. Here’s how to get in touch:

• Connect on social: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
• Send us an email
• Comment below

Happy New Year to our incredible community! We’re so lucky to learn from you every day, and can’t wait for all that we’ll do together this year. Feel free to connect with us anytime – we love to hear from you.

4 Ways to Better Care for Yourself

by Kate Vandeveld

As many of us know, likely all too well, this time of year can get a little chaotic. And when things get really busy, self-care often falls by the wayside. But it really shouldn’t – in fact, when we stretch ourselves too thin, productivity often decreases, along with personal happiness.

Each of us can take steps, personally and professionally, to better care for ourselves and ensure we are as productive and happy as possible, even during hectic times. Here are our steps:

Get Organized 

We don’t know about you, but when we’re busy, things can get sort of messy – from our computer desktops to our actual ones. For many, this only leads to more stress and anxiety. Taking a few minutes to get your spaces and files organized will set you up for more focused thinking (AND stop you from doing it when you should be focusing on real work… we’ve been there!). If you’re not all that into physical organization, it might be helpful to just make a list: get your scattered thoughts out of your head and onto a piece of paper. However you go about it, don’t underestimate the power of organization in a busy moment. 

Prioritize

The thing about to do lists? They can be incredibly daunting when you’ve got a lot going on. Sometimes you feel like you just need to get started – right now – and tackle it. When you’re really busy, prioritizing is absolutely essential. What are the things that you really want to do, and the things that you really have to do? Make note of them. The other items, anything that can be done later, should drop down to the bottom of your list. You can always do them if you have more time, but if you don’t, you know they aren’t essential and can focus on them later.

This applies to social events too. As much as we may want to connect with everyone we know, and make it to every event and networking opportunity we’re invited to, it’s probably not going to happen. Take a minute to actually think about which are truly important to you, and say no to the rest. People will understand – we’ve all got a lot going on.

Prioritizing allows you to do and be the best you can possibly be, while staying present in the moment.

Set Boundaries

This one extends to all areas of your life, but is particularly important when busy. Setting boundaries is different from prioritizing; it’s about setting limits for yourself based on what you know is good for you. We’ve talked about the power of saying no to protect your own well being, and the benefits you’ll likely see when you do. We’re not saying that you shouldn’t challenge yourself or step outside of your comfort zone – that’s important too. But listen to yourself, and allow yourself to say no.

Give Yourself a Break

No matter how much we may want (and try!) to, none of us can do it all. And that is okay. It really is. Even if you’re perfectly organized, prioritized, and have set boundaries, you still may not accomplish everything, or something unexpected may pop up. Cut yourself some slack. More than likely, it’s not the end of the world. If you need it – and, let’s face it, we all do – allow yourself to take breaks. Whether you read, meditate, watch TV, or just hang out, breaks are allowed, and vital. Don’t feel guilty – you don’t need to be productive or busy all the time.

How do you do to take care of yourself when you have a lot going on? Share with us – we’re all in this together. Here’s how:

• Connect on social: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram
• Comment below
• Send us an email

CSR Spotlight: Ben & Jerry’s + New Belgium Partner for Climate Change

by Kate Vandeveld

The end of the year can be stressful. Between the holidays, wrapping up work for the year, and making plans for the next, there’s a lot going on. So, when you have a chance to relax and indulge a bit, you should take it.

That’s why we were so excited to learn that two of our personal favorite indulgences, ice cream and beer, came together this year in collaboration for environmental impact. Ben & Jerry’s, a company that is well-known for its social and environmental impact, and New Belgium, a Colorado-based brewery, announced their partnership earlier this year.

Both B Corporations, the companies partnered to release a new product for each brand: Salted Caramel Brown-ie Ale ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s, and Salted Caramel Brownie Brown Ale beer from New Belgium. Each are limited releases – three months only! – and are sold in select locations around the country. While both sound delicious, the unique flavor isn’t even the coolest part: A portion of the proceeds from the sales of these two products will be going to climate advocacy group, Protect Our Winters (POW).  

Started in 2007 by pro-snowboarder Jeremy Jones, POW is working to engage and mobilize the snow sports community to raise awareness of and work against climate change. POW is working to use what they call the outdoor community’s “disproportionate influence” for good, through awareness-raising events, fundraising, and advocating for policy reform around environmental issues.

The aim of this partnership in particular is to build awareness of, and inspire action around, the Clean Power Plan, an effort to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants that was passed by President Obama in August 2015. The plan allows each state’s governor to determine how they’ll reduce carbon pollution in the best way for his or her state. So, on top of sales donations, all three entities are encouraging their audiences to take action by contacting their governors to ask them to make a “speedy transition to clean renewable sources of energy that pollute less, protect the environment, create good jobs, and protect the health of all Americans.” Click through here to select your state, and POW will call you back and connect you with your governor directly. It couldn’t be simpler! If you don’t want to call, you can also email or tweet at your governor – they provide you with copy for both.

Perhaps even more important than this particular initiative in and of itself is the example that Ben & Jerry’s and New Belgium are making in integrating impact into their existing business models. This short but effective marketing campaign and corresponding non-profit partnership is allowing both companies to have a positive impact in an area they care about, without having to turn their operations upside down or greatly expand their capacity. And, while we always hope that impact projects aren’t put into place for PR purposes, it looks pretty good for both companies in that respect, too.

Do you know of a company that is running an interesting social impact campaign? Share with us! We love to learn about and share unique and effective efforts to do good. Leave a comment below, or connect on social – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Also, if your company or a company you know about is interested in doing something similar, our team can help you develop an effective and strategic campaign. Get in touch!

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Learn more about the collaboration between Ben & Jerry's, New Belgium, and Protect Our Winters here:

Take a Stand for Human Rights

by Kate Vandeveld

Tomorrow is International Human Rights Day, commemorating the day that UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. To give some context, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the first global expression of rights that all human beings are inherently entitled to – in other words, an extremely important step in the human rights movement.

This year, the day is dedicated to the launch of a year-long campaign for the 50thanniversary of the two major human rights covenants adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 1966. The theme for 2015 is ‘Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.’, focusing on such rights and freedoms as freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. You can learn more about the day and what it represents here.

International Human Rights Day provides us with an opportunity to take time out of our lives to think about the rights that we believe every human should have, who lacks them, and what actions we can take to stand up for them. 

So today, we challenge you to really think about that: What do you care about enough to stand up for, and how will you go about it?

If you’re looking for some ideas to get started, here are a few campaigns we support:

Eliminate Gender Based Violence 

An estimated 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point in their lives. And that’s a conservative estimate – as you might imagine, a large number of cases go unreported.

Not enough people are aware of these shocking statistics, and that’s the first problem. That’s why from November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, through tomorrow, UN Women has been running a campaign to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls all over the world. The United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign is encouraging you to “Orange the World” by sharing photos, messages, and videos to raise awareness about the problem. If you want to join the campaign, check out their Facebook and Twitter feeds and learn how you can spread awareness yourself.

Stand up for LGBT Rights

In more than half of the country, the LGBT community can be denied employment just because of their suspected sexual preferences – it’s legal in 31 American states. And this is only the beginning of the appalling statistics surrounding this issue – learn more about LGBT discrimination here.

If you want to help spread awareness of the issues surrounding LGBT rights, check out the UN’s Free & Equal Campaign, a global public education campaign for LGBT equality. The primary purpose of this campaign is to raise awareness of homophobic and transphobic violence and discrimination, and promote greater respect for the rights of LGBT and intersex people everywhere.  

 

Join the Movement for Gender Equality

Gender inequality remains a huge issue, across all sectors. To start, women in most countries earn on average only 60 to 75 per cent of men’s wages, and girls all over the world continue to be majorly excluded from education systems. And, once again, this is just the beginning – you can learn more here.  

One of our favorite initiatives around gender equality is the He for She campaign. He for She brings men and women together to support one another, for the benefit of both genders. They’re building a movement that creates substantive impact at the policy level, and they’re working to get the masses involved. You can commit to taking action against gender discrimination and violence in order to build a more just and equal world here, or take it a step further with help from their action kit. 

Support Syrian Refugees

Right now in Syria, 13.5 million people need humanitarian assistance. 4.3 million Syrians are refugees, and 6.6 million are displaced within Syria – half of which are children. These people – all of them – need our help. Why now? Winter is coming, and refugees who are currently living in settlements have fewer resources than they’ve ever had. And this means that they’re more vulnerable to trafficking and other dangerous forms of escape.

If you want to provide support in this critical moment, start with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which is providing basic and necessary humanitarian aid to Syrians in need. This aid takes the form of cash for medicine and food, supplies for heating, winter clothing, and more. Every donation makes a difference, and UNHCR explains exactly how each dollar amount will impact the individuals and families who need it most.

On the most basic level, just talking about human rights violations on your own digital platforms (and in real life!) is so important. Think about the issues that matter to you, do some research, and spread the word. 

What are you doing to stand up for human rights today (and beyond!)? Share with us – here’s how:

• Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Comment below
• Email us

The Ultimate Social Impact Reading List

by Kate Vandeveld

When it comes to the subject of social impact, we’ve done quite a bit of reading. As you likely know, there’s a lot out there – and it can be difficult to determine which resources are worthwhile.

As such, we thought it might be helpful to share some of our favorites – and some that we’ve written ourselves – with you.  

The following list is by no means exhaustive, but if you’re looking for some reading over the holidays, check these out:

Social Impact

To start off broadly, these are some of our favorite articles and blog posts that focus on social impact in a more general sense. 

• Ending World Hunger (In 500 Words)
• How Everyday People Are Solving the World’s Biggest Problems
• The Year We Thought About Impact
• The Single Biggest Unmet Challenge in Development Today
• How You Can End the Year with Impact
• Smarter, Creative Philanthropy for a Complex World

Corporate Social Responsibility

CSR is a complex and ever-evolving topic, and one that is widely discussed. These articles will help you develop an understanding of what’s happening in the space. 

• Merck’s Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report
• Why Corporate Social Responsibility is Important
• The 5 Elements of the Best CSR Programs
• 8 CSR Trends to Watch Out for in 2015 (Still applicable today!)
• Giving Back and Gaining Fans Through Corporate Social Responsibility Marketing
• The Companies with the Best CSR Reputations
• 6 Resources for Staying Informed About CSR
• CSR Strategy: 4 Questions to Get You Started
• 5 Circular Economy Strategies for Consumer Goods
• The Unusual Suspects: 5 Big Companies That Are Doing Good  

Social Enterprise

The concept of doing well by doing good is changing the way that social impact intersects with business. If you’re interested in learning more, these resources are a great place to start.

• Better Businesses? Here’s Why and How
• A Social Entrepreneur’s Guide to Changing the World
• Beyond Marketing: Here’s What I Really Learned as a Social Entrepreneur
• 5 Effective Strategies to Evaluate Your Business’s Social Impact
• How to Make a Sustainable Impact with the Hybrid Model
• Social Enterprise Models for Making a Sustainable Impact
• How to Build a Brand That Matters

Personal Habits

We’ve been talking a lot lately about how important it is to take care of yourself if you want to be effective in supporting others. It can be easier said than done, but these resources offer some great advice.

• How to Point Yourself in a New & Impactful Career Direction
• The Burnout Phenomenon
• Everything You Change Changes Everything
• The Power of ‘No’
• Do You Focus on Your Needs or the Needs of Others?
• How to Create a Sense of Purpose in Your Life

Sustainability & Environmental Responsibility

Another element of impact that directly ties into social good Is sustainability. It’s an incredibly vast topic, but these are some great resources to get you started on living more sustainably.

• 4 Unique Ways to Get More Sustainable
• Can Sustainable Consumerism Work?
• 10 Ways to Live More Sustainably Right Now
• Sustainability Starts With You, Yes You
• True Sustainability Means Circularity

If you’re looking for more general resources for staying on top of what’s happening in the social impact space, try these:

• Fast Co.Exist
• Huffington Post Impact
• The Unreasonable Institute
• TED Social Change
• Weber Shandwick’s Social Impact Section
• Ashoka  

Have you come across an impact-focused resource that’s been particularly helpful or informative? Share with us! We’ll add it to our list. Here’s how:

• Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Email
• Comment below

How You Can End the Year with Impact

by Kate Vandeveld

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it’s time for many of us to break out the holiday music and start prepping for the next round of celebrations. While the holiday season is one of mass consumerism and indulgence – we’re guilty of it too! – it’s also a time when we tend to feel a stronger sense of responsibility to support people and causes we care about. 

The key is channeling these positive feelings into action – and because many of us are also pretty busy around the holidays, this might be easier said than done. But if we each take a few small steps to support others, we can make a huge difference… ending the year positively and starting 2016 off on a strong foot.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Shop responsibly 

We talk about this a lot, and for good reason: making small changes to your purchasing habits can have a hugely positive impact. Being a conscientious consumer is important all year, but especially when we’re spending an average of $805 per person during the holiday season.

Our first suggestion is to shop small business whenever possible. The ripple effect of shopping at small businesses, rather than opting for large corporations, is substantial. It makes an impact on  your local economy, and reaches as far as global supply chains. If you can’t shop small business, there are other steps you can take to ensure that the products you’re buying are ethically and/or sustainably sourced. If you know of any brands, stores, or websites that you’d like to share with the WhyWhisper community, let us know! We want to help spread the word about companies that provide socially and environmentally responsible options.

Support causes you care about 

Never underestimate how much nonprofit organizations need your support. For many, internal capacity is stretched thin, and budgets are notoriously small.  

As you may know, today is Giving Tuesday – perhaps more commonly known as #GivingTuesday. It’s a great opportunity to balance out all of the spending that you’ve done or plan to do this holiday season. Just check out the Giving Tuesday website or #GivingTuesday on Twitter to find out which organizations participated, and what they’re aiming to fund with this year’s campaigns. Even if you only have a couple dollars to spare, this is a time when even the smallest donation can make a huge difference, collectively. The end-of-year funds that these organizations collect will play a big role in determining their scope of work for 2016.

Also, any company or organization that focuses on social impact can greatly benefit from your support via word of mouth. Follow them on their social media platforms, subscribe to their newsletter, and share information about their work and any campaigns or events they promote. Simply acting as an informal ambassador can be an incredible form of support. If you have expertise in a particular area that you think might be helpful to these organizations, or want to use your time to help them further their missions, consider inquiring about volunteering. If you do it, be intentional about it: Make sure you provide concrete ideas for how you can provide support, and only commit to what you’re sure you can contribute, so they are able to properly plan for the year ahead.

Focus on your own community

If you don’t know where to start making a difference this holiday season, look at your own community. Do you live in a place where it gets pretty cold in the winter? Maybe you could organize a cold weather drive at your office, co-working space, or even your neighborhood coffee shop. This way, you can make a large-scale difference for those in need, while providing an opportunity for others to contribute. Even if you can’t organize your own drive, keep your eyes open for those who are collecting various items – from jackets and blankets, to toys, to canned goods – in your community. These types of drives have become ubiquitous in many areas, and for good reason – they’re relatively easy to put together, and their impact is tangible. 

Plan ahead for 2016

Maybe you don’t have a lot of time or resources to contribute at the moment, or you’re not particularly into the holidays, or you’re already taking action? No matter waht, the end of the year is a great time to plan for how you can make a greater impact in the coming year.

How will you be active in contributing to positive change? Will you volunteer? Plan to reduce your environmental footprint? Mentor others who need support?

Think about the resources at your disposal, your personal bandwidth, and how you can realistically use them to support the causes you care about. Then, make concrete and actionable plans. If you want to support a cause, but aren’t sure which organizations are doing the most substantive and sustainable work, do the research now. Once you’ve landed on one (or several!), take the steps that we outlined above to start learning more about them, like following them on social media and subscribing to their newsletter. If you have the bandwidth to lend your time or expertise, reach out to them with a proposal on how you can support them as a volunteer or consultant.

What are you doing to end 2015 in an impactful way? If you have a specific way that our community can help out, let us know – we want to do all that we can. Shoot us an email, connect on social – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn, or comment below.

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How to Point Yourself in a New & Impactful Career Direction

by Kate Vandeveld

When you're finished changing, you're finished. - Benjamin Franklin

As we go through life, our passions and aspirations evolve. If you find yourself in a career that doesn’t fulfill you, you’re in luck – staying in the same job for an extended time period is no longer the “norm.” In fact, these days, 91 percent of Millennials expect to stay in a job for less than three years.

Regardless, leaving a secure job for new career territory can be really scary, and at times, difficult. Even if you have a solid skillset and a strong sense as to what you’re interested in, you often need experience and connections to break into a new industry and beat out the competition.

But just because you don’t have those things off the bat doesn’t mean you can’t get them. So before you resign yourself to staying the course, we have some advice based on our personal experiences in making career transitions:

Volunteer your time.

When you’re starting out in the direction of a new career, it’s best to first focus on gaining some relevant experience.  And when you’re brand new to an industry, the best way to get that experience is often through volunteering your skills and time. Here’s how to go about it: Find an organization that is doing work that you care about in the field you’re interested in, and reach out to see how you might be able to use your particular skillset to further their mission. You may be surprised to learn that many organizations are under-resourced and therefore very grateful for a dedicated and skilled volunteer.  Before you get started, check out these tips for being a good volunteer – they’re spot on.

Don’t be afraid of networking...

For many, the word “networking,” is cringe inducing. Do you picture a bunch of professionals in a room wearing business casual clothes, making small talk, and trying to decide on the least awkward moment to slip each other their business cards? We certainly used to. But now, after many years of formal and informal networking, we’ve come to find that those elements only accompany bad networking events, not all of them. And in fact, networking is just an opportunity to connect with cool people who you may not have ordinarily had the chance to meet. If you can, try to seek out events where you may be able to connect with people with similar interests, like your co-working space or a group for small business owners or entrepreneurs. Much of the time, the hardest part is just getting there in the first place.

….but be yourself when you do it.

We recently attended a speed-mentoring event hosted by Forth Chicago, an incredible organization that creates intentional events bringing people together to support each other in business and share ideas. At this particular event, a number of brilliant and inspiring women offered advice to other women who are looking to start their own businesses or begin on a new career path. One of the women we connected with noted that, when it comes down to it, your personality is your best networking tool. Be nice, speak confidently about your abilities, truly listen to what people are saying to you, ask questions. Be yourself, and like-minded people will gravitate toward you.

Be open and say yes (to a certain extent, at least).

Let us start by saying that we’ve spent some time talking about the importance of setting personal limits for the sake of your productivity and mental health, and we’re not taking that back. But when you’re first starting out on a new career path, it’s not a bad idea to be as open to new experiences and opportunities as possible. This is a moment when saying yes to an event might mean you meet a person who changes the game for you, or accepting a project ends up being a resume builder that opens up big doors. Keep your boundaries in place – they’re there for a reason – but try to be as open to opportunities as you possibly can within those boundaries.

Refine your digital presence.

When you’re breaking into a new career path, your online persona matters. Create a simple website, through Squarespace or Wordpress, and make sure you include information about yourself, your background, and the services you provide. Speak in a voice that is true to your personality. Scan your social profiles, and make sure that the images you use convey who you are. Share your website on your social profiles, so it’s easy for personal connections to learn more about your work. We can’t tell you how many connections we’ve made through social media that have led to interesting and exciting projects. Refining your digital presence doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking – just take a little time to review and make sure you’re portraying yourself in the way you want to be portrayed.

So get out there, be yourself (in person and online), and work hard (sometimes for free, to start). When you’re actively pursuing good things, for yourself and for the world, you’ll likely see good results in return. We wish you the best of luck and are here to help, if we can!

Do you have another piece of advice that you think would help someone who’s considering a career change? Share with us, and we’ll spread the word:

• Email
• Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Comment below

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Join the Kindness Movement

by Kate Vandeveld

“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” - Bob Kerrey

When thinking about impact, large-scale initiatives and world changing projects often come to mind. We think about reducing poverty, creating jobs, and lobbying for policy change. But when it comes down to it, our day-to-day impact on the people with whom we interact and care for is just as crucial in creating a better world.

We’re not trying to simplify the very complex and intricate processes that lead to social change, but just being consciously kinder to those around us can be hugely impactful.  

That’s why we’re excited about World Kindness Day, taking place tomorrow, November 13th. World Kindness Day is a 24-hour celebration dedicated to focusing on the good. A number of campaigns have cropped up around the idea that kindness matters.

If you want to spread the word about and join the official kindness movement yourself, here are some of our favorite campaigns and initiatives:

Spread Kindness

As we mentioned, World Kindness Day is going down tomorrow, November 13th. Started by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, this 24-hour period is focused solely on spreading kindness. On this day, they encourage you to join the movement by sharing a kindness quote (you can even use the designs they’ve created for you!) and doing things from a list of “kindness activities” that they have compiled. They offer a variety of ideas and quotes, for those who are looking for inspiration.

 

Celebrate Kind Acts 

The best way to spread the kindness movement is simply by recognizing kind acts when you see or experience them. Taking a minute to say thank you to a person who you see being kind calls out and reinforces those acts. KIND Snacks is taking it a step further, celebrating those acts of kindness with their #kindawesome campaign. Here’s how it works: When you see someone being kind, give them a #kindawesome card, either in person or digitally, and the company will send them a free KIND snack. Encourage them to pass it on to someone else they see being kind, to keep the kindness going. The campaign provides a tangible way to recognize kindness, which we think is pretty cool.

If you want to learn about and discuss different ways to celebrate World Kindness Day, KIND Snacks is also hosting a Twitter chat with Upworthy this Friday. Join the conversation with #UpChat and #kindawesome from 1-2pm EST tomorrow, November 13th. 

 

Share Your Skills

Do you have a skillset you’d like to apply to a good cause in your spare time, but you don’t know where to get started? Check out Skillshare.  Skillshare connects individuals with organizations that need help. The assistance is voluntary, and projects are short-term, so you can make a big impact, without the long-term commitment. 

 

Become a Mentor

Remember when you were at the very beginning of your career? If you’re like us, you probably experienced moments when you felt a bit lost – unsure what you wanted to do, or how to advance once you had found your path. If you feel like you have some wisdom to pass on, consider joining a mentoring program. Do a little research around mentorship programs in your city, and they’ll pair you up with someone who could use your advice and encouragement.

Pay it Forward

The concept of paying it forward is extremely powerful: when you’re the recipient of kindness, do another kind act for someone else in return. We saw a beautiful pay it forward campaign, inspired by 18-year-old Alyssa Josephine O’Neill, who died of epilepsy in 2013. As a tribute to their daughter, her parents bought a round of coffees for strangers and asked that her initials, #AJO, be written on their orders. This sparked what would turn into a national movement of small gestures to pay it forward that continues to this day. Whether you participate in the #AJO movement, or simply go out of your way to do something kind for a stranger, a small act of kindness can go a long way.

Give Back to Your Community

Each community has unique needs. Have you noticed a need in your area that you feel like you could address in some capacity? Maybe you live in a city where it gets particularly cold in the winter, and you could organize a cold weather drive to provide blankets and winter gear to those who need it. Or maybe you could become a tutor at a school. Do some research on your local community needs, and see what you might be able to do to help. 

Do you know of another kindness initiative that you’d like us to share with the rest of the WhyWhisper community? Send us an email, tweet to us at @WhyWhisperCo, or comment below – we’d love to spread the word.

"A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved." - Kurt Vonnegut

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How to Make the Most of #GivingTuesday

by Kate Vandeveld

There’s less than one month until one of the biggest giving days of the year: Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday, which takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is an incredible and growing movement to encourage giving during the holiday season.

Giving Tuesday encourages people to give back to causes they care about at a time when they’re spending a great deal on material items. While 130 million people shopped on Black Friday last year, average spend per person has decreased in recent years. On the flipside, the average gift size on Giving Tuesday last year was $154 per person, for a total of $45.68 million in donations. In contrast, those numbers are on the rise.

Here’s how Giving Tuesday works: Participating organizations build campaigns around the day to raise funds from a broader audience they may not typically reach. All you have to do to participate is register, and then incorporate the #GivingTuesday hashtag into your campaign to reach that broader audience. 

If you haven’t launched your campaign yet, don’t worry – we have some tips that will help you map out your plan and make the most of Giving Tuesday:

Start planning now!

Even though there’s still a little under a month until Giving Tuesday, you’ll want to start planning now. The more you strategize and prepare for your campaign, the better off you’ll be when the big day arrives. Here’s what we suggest:

• Decide what your campaign will be centered around. Whether you want to focus on a certain aspect of your organization, building up a particular service you provide, or developing something new altogether, you’ll want your campaign to be focused on something that your audience can understand and engage with.
• Come up with a communication strategy for your campaign. This strategy should be cohesive and encompass all content areas: Your website, blog, email, social – you name it.  This strategy should start several weeks before the campaign, so your community knows you’ll be participating and starts to spread the word and get ready to give themselves.

Set fundraising goals 

Before you launch your content strategy, come up with fundraising goals. You should have one external goal that you’ll share publicly. This goal should be ambitious, but attainable. Then, come up with a stretch goal to keep in mind internally. This goal will motivate your team to keep going after you’ve hit your external goal. And don’t just set goals, map out what these funds will allow you to do. Be as detailed as possible – it will make a big difference to your team and to your donors throughout the campaign.

Beyond these major goals, develop list of services and support that donors’ dollars will go toward. Donors want to know exactly what kind of impact their dollars will make, so the more you break it down, the better. Think through what a $10 donation will allow you to do, a $20 donation, and so forth, and use this in your content strategy.

Get your team on board

This might be the most important element of your Giving Tuesday strategy, or any fundraising strategy at that. Your team knows how the funds raised will impact the individuals and communities you work with, and so they will be your biggest ambassadors in promoting your campaign.  Make sure you share your goals and the impact these funds will have with them, so they know what they’re putting themselves out there for.

Also be sure to provide them with the tools they need to promote your campaign. Share sample social posts and email drafts that they can use as a guide, and give them a list of ways they can reach out to their own networks. Then, on the day of, share and engage with their supportive posts. This will help your campaign build momentum and show that you acknowledge their efforts.

Prepare for execution on Giving Tuesday

Once Giving Tuesday arrives, you need to have a solid plan in place for executing your strategy. You will definitely want to plan to send out a reminder email the morning of, and your social strategy should be ready in advance as well. You’ll need at least one person on board to monitor donations all day. This person or team should be prepared to share posts that you’ve already drafted, as well as share live fundraising updates, and actively engage those who are talking about #GivingTuesday on social.

As you’re developing your Giving Tuesday strategy, keep in mind that it doesn’t have to stop there – you can use it as an opportunity to launch a month-long year-end giving campaign!

If you need some inspiration for your #GIvingTuesday campaigns, check these out.

Do you have tips for making the most of Giving Tuesday, or a really cool campaign that you’ve seen? Share with us! Here’s how:

• Get social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Email us
• Comment below

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6 Resources for Staying Informed About CSR

by Kate Vandeveld

The corporate social responsibility (CSR) landscape is constantly evolving and expanding. Just when you think you have some kind of grasp on what’s happening in the space, a new idea arises or a new program launches that changes the game, even if just slightly. It’s amazing to watch the space grow, knowing that impact is being made with each new idea or program.

If you’re as into learning about CSR as we are, you may be looking for resources that will help you stay in the loop as the space evolves. Here are some of our favorites: 

Websites / Blogs / Reports

B Corps

B Corporations, generally known as B Corps, are for-profit companies that have been certified as meeting certain standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. With over 1,400 businesses certified, to date, the B Corps website acts as a great resource for finding businesses with a substantive focus on CSR. The B Corps blog provides information about individual businesses and their leaders, as well as tips and advice, covering topics like how to be the best boss in the world and how top-performing B Corps improve their impact. B Corps also offers annual reports on their status and progress, which are great resources for monitoring B Corps impact.  

CSRWire

The Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire, or CSRWire, is a great resource on the latest news, views and reports in corporate social responsibility. The CSRWire blog is a collaborative effort, featuring posts by CSR experts and thought leaders that go live every few days. The topics are varied and interesting, ranging from the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the importance of involving youth in the conversation around social and environmental impact. They also provide reports on social responsibility from a variety of sources, so you can get a comprehensive look at the status of the space.

Business for Social Responsibility

Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) is a non-profit business network and consultancy that is dedicated to sustainability, and working with businesses to create a just and sustainable world. Their blog, case studies, and reports all act as valuable resources for those who are interested in CSR. They also organize an annual conference in which people and businesses from all over the world come together to share ideas and expertise on social responsibility in business. This year’s is coming up next week in San Francisco! 

 

Twitter Chats

#CSRchat

#CSRchats are bi-weekly Twitter conversations centered around various CSR-related topics. These conversations were started by Susan McPherson, founder of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social good. Each discussion features a special guest from an organization involved in CSR. These chats aim to increase awareness of different CSR initiatives and foster discussion around relevant issues. Find out about the next one and be sure to mark your calendar!

Triple Pundit

Triple Pundit is an online publication (and certified B Corps!) that focuses on the connection between people, planet, and profit. Their website is a valuable CSR resource, and their Twitter chats cover a wealth of related topics and issues. To stay current, follow them on Twitter and contribute to conversations. We also recommend that you subscribe to their newsletter!

 

Podcasts

The Corporate Social Responsibility Podcast

In this podcast, David Yosifon, a corporate law scholar who focuses on CSR, examines different elements of social responsibility through interviews and discussions with experts and thought leaders in the field.  With seventeen episodes available, to date, the podcast covers topics like human rights and corporate tax ethics. If you’re into podcasts and CSR, be sure to check this one out.

Do you have a resource that you use to stay up-to-date on CSR? Share with us! Let’s help each other stay in the loop and make progress. Here’s how you can share:

• Get social: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn
• Drop us a line via email
• Post in the comments below

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Your Eco-Friendly & Cruelty-Free Guide to Winter Gear

by Kate Vandeveld

If you live in a place where it’s about to get chilly or plan on taking any winter getaways this year, you may be getting ready to buy some new cold weather gear.

As always, the change in seasons provides an opportunity to purchase products that have been sourced ethically, and that have caused as little damage to our environment as possible. Isn’t it cool that all you have to do to be better in this situation is choose the right places to shop? We think so!

To get your started, here are some of our favorite options for eco-friendly and cruelty-free winter gear:

Outerwear: Patagonia

As you may know by now, Patagonia has made environmental and social responsibility part of its mission. The high-end outdoor apparel company has worked to increase transparency around its supply chain, showing their environmental and social impact through The Footprint Chronicles.  The company ensures that all of its products are traceable and responsibly sourced, as well as fair trade certified. Patagonia also gives 1% of sales to environmental organizations all over the world. Plus, the company offers repair on their apparel through their Worn Wear program, which also recycles garments once they’re beyond repair. And their gear isn’t just limited to classic jackets and fleeces – they sell everything from denim to ski apparel.

Boots: Planet Shoes

Thinking about investing in a new pair of winter boots? If you know that you want them to be eco-friendly and ethically sourced, but you don’t know exactly what brand or look you’re going for, Planet Shoes has you covered. Their shop features shoes and boots that have been made with eco-friendly materials and are shipped in recycled packaging. Planet Shoes offers options from a variety of different brands, for different types of weather, so you’re covered no matter what you’re looking for. They also have an Eco Blog, focused on providing you with tips and ideas around living more sustainably. 

Skin Care Products: Organic Bath Co.

Let’s be real: You have to put some extra effort in to take care of your skin during the winter. If you’re going to invest in moisturizer, lip balm, and other skin care products, opt for a vendor that gives back. Organic Bath Co. was founded on the idea that taking care of yourself and caring for the planet are of equal importance. To give back, Organic Bath Co. donates a portion of proceeds from every purchase to 1% Percent for the Planet, which finances sustainability-oriented non-profits, and the Global Soap Project, which provides hygiene products to those who need them all over the world.

Coats & Accessories: VAUTE Couture

If you’re looking for outerwear and winter accessories that are a little more “fashionable” than what Patagonia has to offer, check out VAUTE Couture, the world’s first all-vegan fashion brand. The brand’s founder, Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, believes that animals shouldn’t be part of the “fashion equation,” and hopes to prove that high fashion can be accomplished without the use of animal by-products. Check out their elegant collection of coats, hats and other accessories.

Do you know of other ethically sourced, environmentally friendly winter gear companies? Tell us about it and we’ll spread the word:

• Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
• Email
• Comments below

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How Can We Improve Mental Health in the Workplace?

by Kate Vandeveld

Did you know that approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness in a given year? As many of us recognize, many mental health issues fly under the radar as a result of the stigma that surrounds them.

Those who are silently affected by mental illness can experience issues and limitations everywhere – especially in potentially stressful environments like the workplace. So while we continue to fight against this stigma, we encourage employers to take measures to care for the mental health of their employees.

Beyond its negative effects on individuals, failing to address mental health issues in the workplace is bad for business. Mental illness is the number one cause of disability leave for American business today, and untreated mental illness costs the U.S. more than $105 billion in lost productivity each year.

Luckily, there are ways in which companies can provide support to their employees – here are a few of them:

Address mental health openly & honestly

This might be the most important thing for companies (and individuals!) to do when it comes to mental health. Because of the stigma around mental health issues, it’s difficult to discuss and address openly and honestly, and it means that a large number of cases go undiagnosed and untreated. But in reality, mental illnesses are common in the United States, and we aren’t helping anyone by staying quiet about it.

Workplace environments can be stressful, and stress can be a trigger for mental health issues. Instead of brushing it under the rug, we need to talk about it and open up a dialogue about how workplaces can help mitigate that stress, support their employees, and encourage them to take care of themselves.

If you are unsure about how to talk to your employees or coworkers who you think may be struggling, here are some tips.

Include comprehensive mental health care in your benefits package

Given how prevalent mental health issues are these days, it just makes sense for employers to offer mental health care benefits that are as comprehensive as possible. As of 2010, the Affordable Care Act has provided one of the largest expansions of mental health coverage in generations, requiring businesses to include mental health care in their benefits packages in some capacity. That said, the level of mental health care that is covered is rarely comprehensive or long-term.

Helping employees get access to the mental health care that they need may increase costs upfront, but early detection and treatment of mental illness can also prevent crises and reduce health care costs later on. Encourage employees to recognize signs of anxiety and depression in themselves, and then seek professional help that is subsidized by the health care plan that you offer.

Implement an employee wellness program

One great way companies can prioritize their employees’ mental health is internally, through employee wellness programs. Until recently, many of these programs were centered on discounted gym memberships that employees could opt to use. While encouraging individuals to stay active in this way definitely has positive mental health effects, there are further steps that employers can take to support their workers’ mental health.

For example, employers can actively encourage employees to take breaks throughout the day, whether it be a longer lunch period or several smaller breaks. Or they can provide yoga, massage or meditation at particularly stressful times of the year, or at regular intervals. Another option would be to offer employees the opportunity to work remotely, as needed. Before making any decisions, think about the specific individuals you work with, and what you think would be most beneficial to them. You could even do a survey to determine what their needs are and how you can meet them.

Know of a business that is taking action to support its employees’ mental health? Tell us about them and what they’re doing! Here’s how:

• Send us an email
• Connect on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
• Post in the comments below

If you want to join the conversation around mental health in general, we put together a list of some incredible digital resources to help you get started. 

CSR Strategy: 4 Questions to Get You Started

by Kate Vandeveld

At this point, it’s pretty clear that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a good idea – for your company, your employees, and your community. Companies that are doing it right, like Starbucks, are seeing huge returns and having a remarkable social and/or environmental impact in their communities and beyond.

But once you’re on board with CSR, where do you get started? How do you determine what your programming should look like and how to make it happen? Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to get the ball rolling:

Will you focus your initial efforts internally or externally?

In a perfect world, your CSR strategy would both encompass your internal operations and have a positive impact on your community. But in reality, resources are limited and you may need to focus your efforts in one direction or the other initially. Given your resources and your company’s mission, does it make more sense to start with an employee wellness program, or to look for ways to integrate community impact into your business model? 

What are your company’s strengths and weaknesses?

Make a list of your company’s strengths and weaknesses to start to hone in on where you should focus your programming. For example…

• Do you have an especially engaged team? Opt for programming that allows them to connect with and give back to your community.
• Are you a product-focused business? Look into sourcing your products ethically and/or locally.
• Has your business lagged behind when it comes to sustainability? Consider implementing a recycling program or buying office supplies from environmentally conscious sources.

Find opportunities to capitalize on your company’s strengths and improve on its weaknesses, and start there.

What resources do we have to work with?

First, think through the financial resources available for CSR programming. Do you have a budget for it, or will you have to determine which budget buckets you could pull from? Depending on what your programming looks like, you may be able to pull from your HR or recruiting budget for example. After all, having a CSR strategy in place is beneficial for employee acquisition and retention.

Next, consider human resources. Do you have the internal bandwidth and expertise you’ll need to develop and implement that programming, or will you need to work with an outside firm? If you opt for the latter, take the time to find a team that understands your needs and mission, and helps you figure out how to implement your programming in a way that’s cost-effective and sustainable. This is a different kind of consulting, and you need to make sure the team you’re working with has the best interests of the company and your community at heart.

How will you measure your impact?

Before you get started, you’ll want to set benchmarks and goals for your CSR programming, and determine how you will measure success. If you launch your strategy with those benchmarks and goals in mind, you’ll be able to measure and adjust your strategy along the way. Paying attention to and reporting on your achievements and failures in a meaningful way also shows that you care about the efficacy of your programming and making a real impact.

Is your company ready to develop and implement a CSR strategy, but you don’t know where to start? We’re here to help – get in touch!

And if you just want to chat about marketing for impact, CSR, employee wellness, or anything, really, here’s how you can reach us:

• Reach out on social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn
• Send us an email
• Comment below

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How to Be Authentic About Social Responsibility

by Kate Vandeveld

Last week, we talked about Starbucks, a company that wasn’t initially developed as a social enterprise, but that has effectively integrated social impact into its business model. Their strategy for external impact is thoughtful and comprehensive, and they actively invest in their employees. Because of this, the results of their multi-faceted strategy is positive for all involved. 

On the flipside, as you may know, Volkswagen is currently in the midst of a CSR-related scandal.  This September, the German car company admitted to cheating in emissions tests in the U.S. by installing devices in their engines that detected when they were being tested, and changing their performance to alter results. The company did this in order to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s fuel emissions standards. As a result of their false reporting, Volkswagen was viewed as reputable when it came to CSR. While we can’t call it merely a PR stunt, the company’s desire to be seen as environmentally responsible likely played into its decision to cheat the system, which is exactly the opposite of the point of CSR.

The Volkswagen situation brings up a question of authenticity when it comes to social and environmental responsibility. What does it mean for a company to be authentic when it comes to impact? Here’s what we think:

They make it part of their mission

One major difference between a truly socially conscious company and one that is in it for the positive PR, is whether or not their strategy is an integral part of their mission, or merely an addendum, an afterthought. Whether or not a company is socially conscious from the start, or chooses to implement CSR programs down the line, it’s important to pay attention to how entrenched they seem to be in their impact. Companies that are really impactful don’t just implement a program that allows them to meet a certain social or environmental goal, they make it a part of their operations and integrate it into their mission.

They report on their successes and failures

When implementing strategic changes in any capacity, you’re bound to experience failures or missteps along the way. And generally, talking about it is the last thing you want to do when a new program or strategy isn’t as successful as you hoped it would be. But in this case, it can be a good thing. Reporting on your successes as well as your failures when it comes to CSR strategy shows that you’re paying attention, and that you care about the efficacy of your programming and making a real impact. And perhaps the most important thing, as evidenced by the Volkswagen fiasco, is that you stay honest in your reporting. Social change is difficult to enact, and your earnest effort to be impactful is what truly matters.

They evolve their efforts over time

Deciding to integrate CSR programming into your business model is only the first step; contributing to positive social or environmental change is an evolutionary process.

To start, it might take some time for a company to hone in on which strengths they should focus on in order to be as impactful as possible. And even if you’re clear about how you want to focus our efforts, you’ll want to evolve as time goes on. When you set clear goals, and then report on and analyze your results, you can use that information to continue to change and develop your approach and strategy to be more effective.

Do you know of a company whose CSR strategy has been particularly effective, or one who you think could be impactful with some support? Share with us – we want to learn about them! Here’s how:

• Reach out on social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn
• Send us an email
• Comment below

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Corporate Social Responsibility: How Starbucks is Making an Impact

by Kate Vandeveld

As you probably know by now, WhyWhisper is focused on supporting organizations and companies that care about making a positive social or environmental impact.

Recently, we’ve been thinking about how impactful different companies’ programs are. Are they really making a difference, or are they just there for PR purposes?

While discussing a friend’s employer’s CSR strategy recently, she said that they "provide a discount on a gym membership and incentivize us to challenge ourselves in different ways with the reward of company shout outs and prizes. It's just enough for them to check off the social responsibility box before going public."

This got us thinking. How many companies are just “checking off the box” when it comes to social responsibility, and how many are actually making an impact?

To give you a sense as to what we mean, we took a look at one of the most comprehensive CSR strategies we’ve seen to date: Starbucks. Here’s what they’re doing, and why it works:

Who are they?

As most of us know, Starbucks is an international coffee company, with over 20,000 stores in over 60 countries to date. But just five years ago, the company was doing poorly. This was partially as a result of the financial crisis and internal restructuring; but, generally, the company’s future was “bleak.” As a result of this slump, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz launched a “Transformation Agenda,” aimed at investing in the company’s people. The series of initiatives launched under the agenda were centered on people, the environment, and the community. As a result of these initiatives, which we’ll dive into in a minute, Starbucks recovered financially, and even exceeded its prior revenue, by 2013. 

What are Starbucks’ CSR initiatives?

Starbucks’ social responsibility strategy is based on three pillars: Community, Ethical Sourcing, and the Environment.  Here’s what the company does to have a positive impact in each of those areas:

To have a positive impact on the communities it works with and in, Starbucks develops community stores that partner with local nonprofits. The nonprofits these stores work with offer services aimed to meet the needs of the communities they’re located in. Starbucks in turn donates $0.05 to $0.15 per transaction to the nonprofit partner. You can find a list of these community stores here. Starbucks has pledged to hire at least 10,000 veterans and military by 2018, and focuses on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The company also provides training opportunities for youth in their communities, and has even developed the Starbucks Foundation, a 501c3 whose goal is to strengthen those communities further. These are just a few of their many community-centric initiatives.

The second pillar, Ethical Sourcing, dictates the way that Starbucks purchases its products. The company is committed to ensuring that their coffee, tea, cocoa, and manufactured goods are responsibly and ethically produced and purchased. They say their “success is linked to the success of the farmers and suppliers who grow and produce [their] products,” and so they only purchase those products from farms and manufacturers that adhere to a certain standard of ethical treatment.

Starbucks refers to the planet as their “most important business partner,” and takes a comprehensive approach to reducing their environmental impact. To do this, they build LEED certified stores, are committed to recycling and conserving water and energy, and pursue strategies that address climate change on a global level. Generally, Starbucks tries to be as environmentally friendly as possible in every aspect of their operations.

Why is it working?

First and foremost, Starbucks decided to invest in its people and the communities they work with. When a company puts people first, and focuses on making positive changes for the communities they work with and serve, consumers notice. In fact, studies show that when companies support social or environmental issues, 93% of consumers have a more positive image of that company. Starbucks’ strategy and resultant outcomes are proof positive of that study. Plus, when companies like invest in their people, they see less turnover, and employees become advocates of the company as well.

What’s more, each year, Starbucks publishes a Global Responsibility Report (in 9 different languages!), that shares data highlighting the impact they’ve had over the past year. They use this data to inform the coming year’s strategy, so as to ensure their programs are as effective as possible. Rather than simply coming up with a CSR strategy and blindly sticking to it, Starbucks takes the time to measure and evaluate its programs.

We’re not suggesting that your business’s social responsibility strategy should be on Starbucks’ level – not right off the bat, at least. But it’s not enough for businesses to do "just enough to check off the box". Thoughtful CSR programs aren’t just PR stunts or a show for investors, and the companies that are really succeeding are proof that these programs can be hugely impactful if implemented well.

Do you know of an awesome CSR program that you think is worth talking about? What about one you think could use some improvement? Share with us in the comments – we’re interested. 

5 Reasons to Implement an Employee Wellness Program

by Kate Vandeveld

If you ask a WhyWhisper team member why they opted for the consulting lifestyle instead of a traditional 9-to-5, they’ll likely tell you that one of the many reasons is to take care of themselves better, both mentally and physically. When you’re working eight or more hours every day, especially at a desk, it can be difficult to find the time to move around or do the things that keep you healthy. But it’s so important!

That’s why we’re so into the recent growth of corporate employee wellness programs that are helping those in more traditional workplaces stay healthy. These days, 70% of employers offer wellness programs – and no longer are they only in the form of gym memberships. There is a plethora of options available to companies who want to create programs that work well for their employee population.

And these programs aren’t just good for employees – they are good for the businesses that implement them, too. Here are some of the reasons why it’s worthwhile to invest in employee wellness:

Attracts Top Talent

Wellness programs are no longer just a competitive advantage for companies – they’re the norm. Prospective employees actively look for these programs when comparing benefits packages, and having them in place could change the type of talent your company is able to attract. The programs subsidize health maintenance costs for employees, and, perhaps more importantly, they also show them that your company cares about them – and that matters to them.

Decreases Turnover

Not only does having a great employee wellness program in place help attract top talent, it also helps to retain it. Studies have shown that when companies care about their employees’ health by offering them opportunities for improved mental and physical wellness, workplace morale increases. Employees that are happier in the workplace and feel a greater sense of loyalty to their employers are less likely to leave, which is good for everyone. Turnover is expensive; studies have shown that the cost of turnover is generally anywhere from 16 to 21 percent of an employee’s annual salary. 

Increases Productivity

On the most basic level, when employees are mentally and physically healthier, they’re more energetic and productive.  In fact, some studies have shown that this is where your company’s employee wellness program will yield the greatest return. A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Services reported that at companies with employee wellness programs, workplace productivity increased by anywhere from 2 to 52 percent. This number definitely will vary depending on your programs and your employees, but any increase in productivity is a good thing.

Reduces Insurance Costs

A study by Harvard Business Review showed that the money spent on implementing employee wellness programs comes back to the company in the form of lower insurance costs. The U.S. Department of Health and Services reported that employee wellness programs that include physical activity of some sort reduce healthcare costs by anywhere from 20 to 55 percent, and short-term sick leave by 32 percent. Those numbers alone are enough to prove that, financially, employee wellness programs are worth the initial investment.

Gives You a PR Boost 

Beyond the internal benefits that you’ll see, offering an employee wellness program makes your company look good. It’s something you can talk about on your website, to investors, and in annual reports. The best part is, this isn’t a PR stunt that will look good to the public but do little internally. As we’ve noted, the internal benefits are clear.

As you would expect, the ROI on employee wellness programs depends on a number of factors: the research done in advance, how much a company invests in its programs, and the employees themselves, to name a few. But across the board, the tangible benefits of implementing an employee wellness program are there, and they are worthwhile.

Have you seen (or participated in) any unique or particularly cool employee wellness programs? Tell us about them! We want to spread the word. Get in touch by sending us an email, commenting below, or reaching out on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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Developing Your Brand's Voice & Messaging Guidelines

by Kate Vandeveld

When you're beginning to market a new brand, there are a lot of things to consider; for example: Which platforms will you use to promote it? What will you be posting about? Who are your target audiences, and how do you want them to feel or respond whenever they encounter your brand?

Each of these is a key element in building your brand identity; and the voice you use to convey that identity is absolutely crucial. We've discussed the reasons why it's important to take the time to develop a voice, but how does one go about it? What are the key elements that ensure your brand's voice is clear and distinct, and will appeal to your target audience?

We wanted to pass along some helpful information on developing a voice guide for your brand:

Brand Identity Pillars

When you’re preparing to promote your brand, you've likely put a good deal of thought into its visual identity. From logo to color scheme to website aesthetic, every aspect makes a difference in how your audience will perceive you. The same applies to your voice. Take time to think through who your brand is and what the purpose of your messaging will be. Do you want to be seen as an expert in your field, focused on education or thought leadership? Or maybe as a relatable partner that serves as a source of inspiration? Write out 3-4 statements that define your brand, with the understanding that these are all-encompassing: you will not be or share or do anything that falls outside of them. Your content strategy will be built around these brand identity pillars.

Tone

Once you’ve decided on your brand’s basic identity, the first thing you should consider is tone. Is your brand’s voice upbeat and friendly? More professional and knowledgeable? Think about where your audience will be reading your messaging. Is it via email, social channels, website? What tone will you be using for each?  If you're going for upbeat and friendly, for example, your language will likely be more colloquial and informal. If your brand identity is more professional and knowledgeable, on the other hand, you may want to consider using more formal language, perhaps with a bit more industry jargon. The type of language you use will appeal to different types of audiences, so consider the way your target audience generally speaks, and build your voice accordingly.

Guidelines

Next, you'll want to consider the type of content you’ll be sharing. Take the time to map out things you would and wouldn’t post about. When it comes time to begin your content marketing, you’ll have a much better idea of what should and shouldn’t be posted, so as to make sure you stay true to your brand.

Diction

Lastly, it's time to define the specific words and phrases that you want to use in your messaging. Research other individuals and businesses active in your industry to determine which words and phrases are most commonly used, most well received, and which should be avoided. Consider whether you want to play into and build upon language trends and slang, or avoid them altogether. Get as granular as you possibly can; it will help you exponentially when you're developing your content.

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Developing a new brand is a lot of work, but it can also be a lot of fun. You can tweak your guide as you gain insight into what appeals to your audience and what doesn't. And once you have your guide in place, you can share it with your whole team to make sure you're all on the same page when representing your brand. It will also really come in handy if you ever decide to bring in any outside help!

Do you have any tips for new brands that are developing their voices? Share with us! Here's how:

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Just Jump: How Yellow Tractor is Empowering Change Through Gardening

by Kate Vandeveld

When you have an idea that you think could change the world, getting from idea to implementation takes work. And perhaps one of the most difficult decisions to make in that process is what kind of model you want to use to achieve your goals.

Do you want to set up as a non-profit? A social enterprise? As we’ve seen, there are pros and cons to both options. These days, a rising number of impact-driven ventures are opting to operate under a hybrid model. This can be as a non-profit social enterprise, or as a non-profit working in tandem with a for-profit social enterprise.

This is the case for Chicago-based Yellow Tractor Project, a non-profit organization that empowers people to grow their own fresh, healthy, food in an easy and affordable manner, and its affiliated social enterprise, Yellow Tractor LLC. We had the chance to connect with the woman behind it all, Wendy Irwin, about the work they’re doing and how they operate.

Here’s what she had to say:

Let’s just talk a little about the non-profit aspect of your model, the Yellow Tractor Project. How did it come to be?

So the Yellow Tractor Project came to be in 2009. I was actually the Grants Chair for an educational foundation in Wilmette, and this grant application came through that was so simple and I thought could have such a profound effect. So, I very unprofessionally picked up the phone and called the grant writer, and she thought I was calling to award her a grant. I felt terrible and tried to explain that we might be interested in piloting it. With her idea, I told her I thought we could change the way America thinks about food in ten years; and change the world in twenty. She was really taken aback – she wanted to do one garden in one building, not change the world.

But we met, and the idea for the Yellow Tractor Project was born. We operated for years without a 501c3, and while we raised money and got all of the logistics in place for the application, I was in testing mode. I had the social enterprise hybrid piece in my head from day one, and I started off by pitching our programs as paid programs to see if they would work.

I went into each meeting with potential partners prepared to ask them for funds from specific budget buckets. I knew they’d go for old school foundation money if I didn’t, which we couldn’t get because we didn’t have 501c3 status.  Without it, we had to think creatively about which buckets to draw from – marketing, advertising, recruitment.

Then I quickly realized: This is so much more than food access. This very simple, easy, turnkey thing is such a solution for job skills training, for employment, for rehab. We wanted to help those who don’t have access to nutrition, and started pilots that targeted senior citizens who live in subsidized housing. They’re the last generation who has knowledge of gardening in their bones, and yet they have no access to it and their nutrition bottoms out as a result. We now have two programs in Evanston, and they’re just knocking it out of the park. One thing we were somewhat surprised to find was that, for them, the gardening was almost as good for their mental wellness as it was for their nutrition, because it built a sense of community. That was really profound for us.

We want to make it easy for people to improve their health, starting with the basics – and do it wherever they need to.

And how does Yellow Tractor, the social enterprise aspect of your model, tie in? How did it develop?

As I thought through how we should develop the social enterprise piece, I realized that rather than starting at schools, we should start with the parents. Teaching kids how to garden will only work in a sustainable way if the parents know how to do it too. We tried at the YMCA at first, but it just became really obvious that we should go for corporate wellness programs. That’s where adults spend the bulk of their lives – at work. We decided it made sense to reach them there. And it was sort of perfect convergence of things: a broken health care system and a loss of any innovation in corporate wellness programs.

And then we just did experiments to see if this would ultimately reduce health care costs. We have a five year pilot here, and for the first time ever – at this global firm we were working with –its over 100 years old – their insurance premium didn’t go up.  So we made sure at the beginning when we were developing the non-profit to build relationships with businesses that might eventually be interested in the social enterprise aspect, and it seems to be paying off so far.

Now, we offer customizable corporate wellness programs that are centered around gardening. If a corporation wants to put in garden beds and have us come in and teach their employees about how to garden, we can do that. If they want us to bring in a chef and show them how to use that healthy food to cook meals, we can do that. But one of our key differentiators is the education that we provide. When you start one of our programs, we look at your climate and location, and put together a newsletter with all of the information that you need to sustain your garden. This would take a ton of research and knowledge on the part of the individual.

Beyond the garden-based wellness programs, we also offer something called “Your Company in the Community,” and this is where CSR comes in. This is where the engagement dollars come in. We’ll take anywhere from 5 employees in a department to the whole company, and we take them out to a local community non-profit – either one that they partner with or one that we know – and take them out to do gardening projects there.

And how do they function relative to one another?

It’s sort of a classic non-profit / social enterprise hybrid model. The non-profit preceded the social enterprise, and the whole thing kind of becomes a social enterprise.  They function separately, which is hard for external parties to really understand. Yellow Tractor LLC is focused on corporate wellness programs and providing customizable paid solutions in that sector. The Yellow Tractor Project is focused on donating beds to underserved populations. Both are centered around nutrition and food access, and providing education around those things, but they function separately.

Their connection is financial: Once sales from Yellow Tractor LLC reach a critical mass, a percentage of the revenue flows to the Yellow Tractor Project as one of its diverse revenue streams. On top of that, we still do our traditional fundraising, donor cultivation, all of the things that you do in a traditional non-profit.

What is the key differentiating factor between what you offer and what people could do at home?

When we were figuring it all out, we first decided to learn manufacturing and develop a garden bed that could stand on its own and was as high quality as possible, and we created a kit of sorts that included the soil, the bed, plant sourcing. Those are the main things that have to be right in order for it to work. The wood itself has to be quality, and without it, most gardens go bad. Without good wood, people use railroad ties or anything inexpensive. These are generally treated, which leeches into the soil, which leeches into the food…and we’re right back at square one with bad nutrition. Moreover, it disintegrates in a few years, and then no one wants to do a new one again.  So we put the time into developing this product that is safe and we know will last about fifteen years.

And we use these same high quality beds on the non-profit side. Even though many business advisors have told us it’s a bad model, because they’re too expensive, we refuse to budge on that. We’re not willing to compromise the integrity of the product. When you use lower quality widgets, not only does it have an effect on nutrition, but when they fail, it lowers morality, and detracts from the entire mission.

What’s the biggest challenge that you’ve faced in getting your programming off the ground?

We’ve faced the challenge of getting people to really adopt a new way of thinking, and understand the importance of nutrition. For Toms shoes…no one is going to turn down a free pair of shoes if they need them, or for Warby Parker…no one is going to say “Nah, I don’t need my grandfather to see.” But when it comes to nutrition, people often want to opt for the Cheetos because it’s what they know and can afford. They don’t feel like they need to make the change, and it takes work on their part.

That’s why we’re trying our best to make it easy for them – to provide the beds and materials that they need and supplement that with education.

What is your best advice for someone who wants to start a social impact project?

Don’t look before you jump – everyone’s going to tell you that you need years of research, but that’s not always true. It’s an iterative process and you’ll never learn more than what you get from just trying things and listening to people. Sometimes it will take people awhile to understand what you’re doing, but that’s innovation.

We love that Yellow Tractor and the Yellow Tractor Project are creating change on such a fundamental and crucial level. If you’re interested in their work, stay on top of their initiatives and connect with them here:

Yellow Tractor (Social enterprise)

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The Yellow Tractor Project (Non-profit)

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Do you know about a social impact venture that is using the hybrid model? We want to learn about them and share their story with the WhyWhisper community. Here’s how you can tell us about them:

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