Issue 26, May 2015 – Social Responsibility and the Family Business

One of the greatest challenges as a business owner is that of running a responsible business. Being accountable, transparent and actively contributing to the community and the environment are all goals the sustainable business leaders strive for. Whether we call it CSR, corporate philanthropy, charity, impact investment or other, the bottom line is that organizations must take responsibility for their actions and understand the ramifications of their decisions beyond the effects on the shareholders. In family businesses, this sense of forward thinking often comes naturally as the future-oriented vision and the goal to become multigenerational are built into the enterprise.