Category: Blog

Ethical construction is a hot topic within the industry at the moment, as builders, suppliers, and clients are realising the impact of demonstrating their social value and CSR efforts. With supply chains, manufacturers, and operations under scrutiny, ethical construction is becoming the far more appealing choice for domestic and corporate clients.

Being a revenue-rich industry, construction is often seen as an easy target for fraudulent, disruptive, and unethical activity. Unfortunately, construction companies can often be accused of cutting corners, causing environmental damage, or having a disregard for the noise and inconvenience they put on their neighbours and communities. The average person is acutely aware of the reputation of some construction companies, and that’s why ethical construction is becoming increasingly important.

In this article, we will cover what exactly makes an ethical construction company, the impact that has on growth, business, and reputation, and how these companies can strive to improve their social value.

What Makes Ethical Construction?

Ethical construction largely comes from relationships; be they with partners, developers, subcontractors, clients, colleagues, or the public. Nurturing each of these relationships, ensuring safety, society, and sustainability are paramount will not only maintain the reputation of construction companies, but significantly improve it.

Being an ethical construction company means prioritising your obligations and commitments to your clients, your profession, the environment, and the public. Whilst the environment is one of the biggest players in ethical construction, having a regard and respect for the public is tremendously important as well. Consider the disruption caused to the community when a construction company pulls up to work. Projects are not always for the benefit of the local area, and so keeping the community on side throughout the duration of the works will make each step of the operation seamless and therefore, more productive. What’s more, a construction company never goes unnoticed, so when it’s seen to have a positive social value it will be remembered by residents and businesses when they next have a project in the pipeline.

Why Is Ethical Good For Business?

Quality is directly impacted by the ethics of a business, no more so than within the construction industry. Ethical construction ensures the quality is noticeably better, meaning the company’s clients have more faith in them, investors have more confidence in them, and ultimately, beautiful and safe buildings are carefully and creatively constructed for the benefit of the clients, and the wider community.

Ethical construction companies who treat their employees well will welcome higher levels of productivity too, ultimately saving money and resulting in an even better outcome. Ethical business practices improve the transparency and trust of the company, which spreads into that of the industry, meaning ethical construction has the opportunity to become the norm.

Reputation is a huge factor for the success of construction companies, and being seen as an ethical company will naturally boost reputation. What’s equally important to note is that behaving in an unethical manner will not go unnoticed, and this will result in suppliers and subcontractors being less inclined to collaborate, and of course, clients and potential recruits going in another direction. Being ethical and showcasing social value immediately lets your clients and contractors know the way you work, building trust and allowing the relationship and project to progress smoothly.

Being an ethical construction company will also improve relationships with society in general, which will gradually improve the relationship between the public and the profession. What’s more, building a good reputation through ethical construction will naturally make the company well-known in the community, for all the right reasons, meaning we can begin to wave goodbye to all of the mistrust within the industry.

How To Be More Ethical

Being an ethical construction company requires a conscious effort, but one that will become second nature as it embeds itself into your company values. Start at the top by displaying an ethical leadership approach, and this will soon cascade down each and every employee. Caring for the environment should be a top priority, through the materials used, the supply chain chosen, the efforts to reduce noise pollution, and the contributions to improve the local environment. If a construction company displays their commitment to the environment, it seems more likely that they’ll care for their colleagues, their clients, and the community, showing a level of respect that will positively impact reputation.

Construction exists to improve the community through building new businesses, making homes more habitable, and giving a sense of renewal through renovation. Unfortunately, due to past unethical practices, it’s not often seen that way, but now we all have an opportunity to change the way the construction industry is seen, attracting new business and improving the reputation of the sector as a whole. Ethical operations come from an open door policy, displaying reviews and testimonials, internal audits and feedback sessions, and of course, external efforts to appease and improve the local community.

As an ethical construction company, you should focus on each community in which you work, giving back to charitable causes, social enterprises, and community projects. This is where Investors In Community comes in. Our platform costs only £10 per employee each year, and offers you and your team the opportunity to easily and effortlessly give back to the communities in which you pitch up to work. Through donations, volunteering, or fundraising, your ethical construction company will stand head and shoulders above the rest, showcasing your social value, winning the buy-in of the public, and piquing the interest of potential prospects.

Simply click here to request your free demo and discover just how easy it is to become the hot new topic in the neighbourhood.

As we approach 2020, some theorists and futurists believe that this next decade will be known as the “Thousand Year Decade.” As innovation, technology and social impact changes will be so great, as to equal the same advances in the previous thousand years of human evolution on this planet.

Advances in medicine, technology, AI, nano-tech, computing power, and above all, access to these to the ordinary citizen, will provide such changes as to render the previous decade the same way that we view the Dark Ages. With this blistering pace of change, it worries me that the disconnect between the technology “elitists” and the people in our community will reach breaking point. We already see the post code lottery of social and medical support, and the rift between the wealthy and poorer parts of our society, causing unrest and social upheaval. If we view the former strides forwards in humankind’s ability to shape the world, then we may become excited and energised by the potential; but through the lenses of social commentary we may feel less confident of our ability to bring our communities with us on that journey. Maintaining our communities, our sense of values for the ordinary person, or those who are disadvantaged by this “1000 years of progress”, is not just essential to our success as a species, it is critical.

In scrolling through LINKEDIN, I am surprised and enthused by the number of people who describe their job roles as “CSR”, “Responsible Business Leaders”, “Community Liaison”, or in some way linked to the desire to maintain or increase community connections. We have 167,000 charities in the UK alone, and many thousands more of “Social Enterprises”, and then hundreds of thousands more of “Community Groups.” I see businesses and individuals, who aspire to help in some way, through cash donations, volunteering of their staff’s time, and gifting at all levels of products and services. Yet nowhere do I see a strategy, a joined-up thinking approach to this dilemma, of how do we efficiently connect those who give, with those who need help?

Of course, there are organisations who perform some of these functions. Charity fundraisers, who connect with companies and try to elicit a long-term relationship. But this just adds cost to the charity, as does a team of people within businesses, who manually connect their business to the community. We have fundraising platforms various, who provide a conduit to individuals who want to give money, but then both they and the charities are charged for the privilege. There are volunteering platforms and organisations, who exist to find opportunities for company staff to offer free time, but again, they charge either the company or the charity. So, to cover the costs of this giving, we need to think about who gives, and who benefits.

It has become clear in the last 24 months, that many aspiring and forward-thinking businesses, have identified the need to align themselves as “socially responsible”. They understand the values of giving as a means to attract and retain staff, reach out to their customers with values-based positioning, and conclude that “Giving is the New Marketing.” Consumers and Customers are attracted to those who demonstrate the qualities of giving and supporting those less fortunate, or supporting a cause that has meaning.

Once in a while, in our history of progress, we find solutions to problems that disrupt the current markets, providing simple, yet effective, answers to guide us forwards. In 2019, we have such a disrupter:

Investors In Community has just been announced to the market.

Investors In Community (IIC) quite simply takes the needs of the charities, not for profits, and community groups, and provides a service, to broker cash donations, volunteering, and gifting, completely free of all costs and charges.

IIC takes the needs of businesses, to create an efficient and effective way to give, and show their values in the community, in such as way as to save them money, reducing internal costs, and providing a platform upon which to showcase their efforts. And it puts these two models together, in an eloquent and neat way.

Businesses join as members. They pay a nominal annual fee to use the sophisticated platform, reducing their internal costs, showcasing their efforts and amplifying their giving. Good causes of all genres, join and pitch for help, free of any and all costs, due to the support from business membership. It’s a win-win.

I’m hearing comments from businesses, who say, “Why wouldn’t you?”

I listen to Millennials, who say, “Finally.”

I receive comments from the good causes, who say, “Brilliant.”

Above all, I hear the comment: “Why hasn’t this been done before?”

So, as we embrace the innovation, the changes to our working and living world in the decade ahead, let us not forget the people, the ordinary citizens, our vulnerable and deserving.

Join Investors In Community, it’s easy to do, and requires just one decision.

Www.Investorsincommunity.org

• Give your neighbours who may be isolating alone your phone number.

This is such a simple but effective way of helping, all you need to do is listen and talk to them, they will appreciate it.

• Put rainbows and colourful pictures up in your windows.

I don’t know about you but when I walk past houses and see Rainbows and the words ‘stay safe’ splattered across all the houses I feel as though I’m not alone in this.

• Organise a game night for your street.

Have you seen the masses of people playing bingo with their whole streets? Or the pubs that have been doing live quiz nights? Why not get involved and encourage people out for a bit of fresh air!

• Write a letter to your relatives.

Is it just me that finds receiving a Handwritten Letter a real treat? It helps you stay connected to the real world and it keeps you focused on something if you know a letter is coming. Write one to them and I guarantee they’ll appreciate it!

• Shop for your vulnerable neighbours.

This is the easiest, you’re going out to do your own shopping anyways so help them out and pick up a few bits for them!

• Start a traffic light scheme on your street with neighbours.

This is the red, yellow and green system, this is a way to know how your neighbours are doing. Red means they are not doing well, please call and check on them. Yellow means they’re ok, it’s a difficult day but they are coping. Green means they are doing well. Mental health is now more important than ever, be sure to stay safe!

• If you are young, healthy and not in a high-risk category consider getting a job in your local supermarket or as a delivery driver.

Right now, key workers such as warehouse workers, supermarket staff and delivery drivers are struggling and they need help more than ever, consider helping out and Getting A Job if you are safe to do so.

• If you can cook, play an instrument, sing or do anything else, consider starting an online class to share your skills.

Right now we have a lot of time on our hands and there are people who want to Learn Some New Skills, so why not help them out and share yours! This can be applied to so many roles such as photography lessons, singing lessons, drawing lessons, cooking lessons, musical instrument lessons, language lessons and many more.

• Check on your friends and Take Care Not To Lose Touch.

It’s easy to forget to stay in touch but now it is so important; facetime them, call them, plan a quiz night, plan to cook together and all sit down for a meal, download Netflix Party and watch the series you’ve been meaning to, play Animal Crossing or the Sims through all hours of the night, clear out your wardrobe and do a fashion show with them, start a book club. Try to live as normal as you can, try to stay positive and just remember that when all this is over, you will be able to hug your friends and family so tight, that day will come don’t lose hope.

• Sign up to Investors In Community!

Finally, one of the easiest options to help is to join Investors In Community, it’s completely free and we have Hundreds Of Charities Just Waiting For Your Help. ‘IIC’ is a digital platform that enables businesses and individuals to donate, volunteer and gift to charity and community initiatives that matter to you. It provides access to many good causes, empowers you and your friends, and brings a wider choice to your giving. As a business, it gives you the power to measure; report on and deliver positive marketing messages to each and every one of your audiences. Quite simply, it’s a tool that will manage your giving.

Tip 1. Make your project relevant to COVID-19.

At the moment people are more inclined to donate to Projects Relevant To Coronavirus, it’s something that affects all of us so it’s very easy to relate to and find sympathy for peoples needs, so make sure you relate fundraisers and volunteering opportunities to this. This could be home working IT equipment, shopping for neighbours, asking for admin volunteers who can work from home or even adopting/fostering an animal whilst we’re all stuck at home!

Tip 2. Have realistic goals.

We find all too often that if someone sees a project on our platform that needs over £10,000 it seems far too unrealistic, we suggest advertising for small pots of money needed, £500-£1,000 sounds far more achievable than £10,000 therefore, people are more likely to donate as it provides a sense of accomplishment to see something completed that you have helped. It also feels far more useful to donate £20 to a project of £200 than to donate £20 to a project that needs £5,000.

Tip 3. Advertise on your social media.

IIC will happily advertise your projects and show them off to as many people as possible but it helps enormously if there are multiple different sources advertising the project, you also have dedicated followers on your socials who are more likely to donate through a link you post as it’s far more trustworthy and feels more personalised for them.

Tip 4. Give your project a purpose, not only to keep the charity running.

Whilst funds to keep daily charity needs running are vital right now people are more inclined to donate to something when they know what exactly their money will be used for, we suggest saying that £5 will get you this, £10 will get you this etc. It’s good to be able to see what your donation will do, you should also post on your socials about thanking people for donations, it feels good to be appreciated so make sure your donors know you appreciate them.

Tip 5. Appeal to people & businesses you already know.

This also goes hand in hand with social posts, your followers tend to be the people most dedicated to your charity and will be More Inclined To Help if they see you need it, this can be done through phone calls, emails, letters etc to all your contacts.

Tip 6. Set a minimum goal of £1.

Be sure to set your minimum goal as £1 on the IIC Platform, this means even if a project is not fully completed you can still get what is remaining of the donations. If you don’t remember to do this you could lose the donations you have if your project completes and you don’t have enough funds!

Also, remember that whilst it’s hard right now, this will all be over soon and everything is going to be okay!

1. Some Good News with John Krasinski.

“No matter how bad life may seem, you can always find some good news to smile about.”

In March 2020, John Krasinski reminded the world to find the good news. Asking his twitter audience to share wholesome stories from around the world, he received an influx of positive stories, and he shared this with the world for free on his YouTube series. He hosted graduation ceremonies, a virtual prom and even married two of his fans in an Office themed virtual wedding.

This series also helped many charities as well, John announced that PepsiCo would be donating $3 million to his Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. He also donated all proceeds from his SGN merchandise and put time and effort into uplifting the spirits of as many people as possible across the world.

2. Joe Wicks Free Work Out.

Throughout the lockdown, Joe hosted live fitness sessions aimed at kids on his YouTube channel as a way to replace their missed P.E lessons, every weekday at 9am, to help little one’s stay active while the UK and many other countries schools are were closing.

Joe raised over £580,000 for the NHS with his free P.E sessions and helped raise the spirits of children, not only in the UK but worldwide.

3. Casa Hotel offering Free Rooms For NHS Workers.

The owner of Casa Hotel generously offered a free night’s stay for Chesterfield’s frontline NHS workers who are dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. Each frontline NHS worker has access to a mini bar, a hot meal and breakfast. Mr Perez (Casa Hotel owner) said: “Our NHS staff are doing an exceptional job during these unprecedented times. We’ve all got to try and do our bit to help wherever we can. I’ve got a big hotel which obviously isn’t open to members of the public right now so I wanted to use it to help treat NHS workers in Chesterfield.”

This unbelievably generous offer was an inspiration to businesses across the UK and a glimmer of hope in an otherwise difficult time.

4. Marcus Rashford raising money for FareShare

“Since March 2020, Marcus has: Helped raise enough money to enable FareShare to distribute the equivalent of over 21 million meals for children and families who might not otherwise eat.” – FareShare

Marcus’ tireless efforts meant that the Child Food Poverty Taskforce was launched which continues to spread awareness of child hunger in the UK. He also created the #MakeTheUTurn campaign which meant 1.3 million children had access to food throughout the pandemic. His work has been an inspiration to many and has saved countless children from going hungry.

5. All the incredible NHS heroes and key workers.

What else can we say other than: Thank you for everything, NHS.

Lastly, we can’t forget the charities who worked tirelessly to ensure the people they support were not forgotten. Lets not forget to show our support to these wonderful organisations, why not kick off your acts of kindness for the day by donating?

Get involved with acts of kindness yourself:

1. Arrange a virtual catch up with someone you know.
2. Send someone special a small gift.
3. Call an old friend.
4. Remember to tell loved ones that you appreciate them.
5. Cook for your household.
6. Don’t underestimate the importance of a clean house.
7. Jump onto Netflix party and watch a film with family and friends.
8. Be thankful.
9. Help neighbours with dog walking.
10. Lend your ear, charities like Sense are asking for virtual buddies during the pandemic.
11. If you miss your colleagues, arrange a virtual lunch.
12. Share sensibly, fake news spreads a lot, remember to check everything you share is legitimate, so you aren’t spreading rumours!
13. Support your neighbourhood.
14. Donate to foodbanks.
15. Donate to charity.
16. Write a letter to isolated people.
17. Socially distanced litter picking.
18. Do your own virtual pub quiz.
19. Send those who have birthdays in lockdown a quick message, so they know you’re thinking of them.
20. Take time for yourself, being kind is not only for other people.

These past few months have made fundraising very difficult but now is the time charities need us more than ever! We have put together a list of some of the best ideas we’ve come across and we hope these provide some good inspiration for your next lockdown fundraisers.

• Donate your commute.

Donate all the petrol money you’ve saved or even half every month, by now you will have saved 3 months worth of petrol money, maybe consider donating alternate months! Whatever works for you.

• Bingo Night.

This is great to do with friends or employees! A Charity Bingo Night is “one of the most effective and fun ways to raise funds for your organisation or cause”.

• Raffle.

“A Charity Raffle can be an extremely successful fundraising method, raising high profits and supporter engagement. Setting up and running a charity raffle is low-cost, especially when prizes have been donated”.

• Virtual bucket collector. 

We have a few Charities Doing This On Our Platform you essentially post a small £100 target project and ask people to donate their petty change just as they would for a bucket collection.

• Round up money.

Online shopping a lot recently? Do you find due to the sales a lot of your purchases end in odd pennies? Round up those pennies to the nearest pound and donate, you may not think this will be a lot but if everyone did this, imagine how much good it would do.

• Donate whatever you’re not spending money on.

Is there something you regularly buy? A morning coffee or your regular sandwich at lunch? Donate those few pounds to a charity or good cause, to you it may be £1+ but if everyone did this the results would be incredible.

• Home challenges.

Bake, create an obstacle course, paint a rainbow make this a competition between employees or friends and all vote for the best, ask for £1 per entry and whoever wins gets to donate the money to the charity of their choice.

• Do something crazy with your hair.

Thinking of shaving it all off? Why not ask people to send in suggestions and pay money to have you do it, such as giving yourself a mohawk and taking a picture to send to the work or family group chat, this will be a funny fundraiser for sure!

• Virtual pub quiz. 

Easy and a classic, host a quiz night and donate what you would’ve spent on a pint or portion of chips to enter, the winner picks the charity the proceeds will be donated to.

• Find items to donate later.

Now is the perfect time to clear your wardrobe and donate those old clothes, find a charity that’s in need of clothing items and donate through the IIC platform.

• Wash your hands.

Every time you wash your hands put 10p in a jar, create a competition within the office and see who is the cleanest. It’s an unusual competition but competitive people will do anything to win!

• Remote portraits.

Ask employees kids to draw a portrait of their parent, best portrait gets to donate £100 to their chosen charity. Parents will also be thankful for the new exciting activity for their children!

• Sponsored silence.

Are you a bit of a chatterbox? Would staying silent be a struggle for you? Why not test how far you can go and ask people to sponsor your silence.

• Share your skills.

Does one of your employees have a skill they could share like baking or playing an instrument, ask if they would do a class and give the donations to their chosen charity. A great excuse to show off as well!

• Movie night!

Create a Netflix Party and ask people to donate the cost of a cinema ticket to join.

• Looking for a funky new logo?

Ask people to design a new company logo! Entry costs £1 and it will be posted up on the website for a month, this could particularly appeal to employees kids who are stuck at home! It could also encourage aspiring graphic designers to participate.

• Give it up.

What’s the one thing you couldn’t live without? Would your friends and family sponsor you to give it up for a week, a month or even longer? Share daily updates with your supporters to let them know how well you’re doing and watch the pennies pile up.

• Donate your drink.

We would all love to grab a G&T at the bar and kick back so why not try donating your drink? How much does that rum and coke usually cost you? Put it towards a good cause and help out in your community!

• Run, jog, walk, bike.

Set a tough goal and reach it whether it’s a 10k run or 25k hike people love to see you push your limits so set up a fundraiser now!

• Birthday fundraiser.

There’s not really much to do for our birthdays this year so why not make it memorable by asking friends and family to donate to a charity you care about!