The CMO Council recently polled its global members on what they viewed as the essential benefit for making a stand as an ethical brand and evidencing corporate social responsibility in business. Findings indicate most senior marketers believe the biggest gain will come from furthering customer relationships and brand affinity.

Customer preference/trust                                   62%
Employee affinity/loyalty                                       28%
Financial performance/gain                                    6%
Investor confidence/support                                  4%

Responsibility for corporate ESG (environmental, social, governmental) and sustainability mapping and tracking is somewhat like ownership of customer experience (CX) in the enterprise. Defused across multiple lines of business, functional siloes and operational areas. Unfortunately, real ESG accountability and accurate reporting is still a work in progress for companies of all sizes.

Another CMO Council poll of its members on LinkedIn earlier this year reveals 84 percent of marketing leaders believe CMOs should be a pivotal leader and at the forefront of organizational strategy, delivery, adherence, and brand communications around the ESG mandate. A lesser 11 percent view CMOs as part of a team. Only a handful see the CMOs on the sidelines or not involved.

Doing Better by Doing Good: Pilot Program in South Africa

The Doing Better by Doing Good pilot program will highlight the innovation, vibrancy, inclusivity, and effectiveness of business with a purpose in the country. This program will showcase corporate South Africa and multi-nationals doing business in the country as best practice leaders worldwide and underscore the values and benefits that can be attributed to ESG commitment.

Areas of discovery and discussion with chief marketers and reputation leaders in South Africa (and abroad) will include:

• Level of commitment, progress and comparative success by different types and size of companies (domestic and foreign) operating in South Africa.
• Areas of priority, focus and achievement relative to addressing societal needs – empowerment, education, training, housing, healthcare, safety, security, essential service delivery, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, community development, diversity, sustainability, and the environment.
• Forces and factors influencing and elevating CSI strategies – shareholder/stakeholder pressure, social media voice, increased governance, research studies, corporate conscience, brand reputation, business value, socioeconomic concerns, special interest groups/NGOs, etc.
• Level of activation and engagement of key audiences and stakeholders in the organizational ecosystem, including employees, supply chain, distribution/service network and customer base.
• Outcomes and progress relative to balancing corporate concern for people, planet, and profit – any indicators, metrics or analytics evidencing or underscoring the theme of Doing Better by Doing Good.
• Identification and recognition of those corporates leading the way and setting the pace as stand outs, innovators and flag-bearers playing their part in South Africa’s upliftment of disadvantaged communities, at-risk constituencies, and general societal and environmental conditions.
• Issues, challenges, complexities, and ROI/impact associated with Ethical Branding policies and practices; how to achieve organizational buy-in, participation and ownership.
• Benefits of delivering on an Ethical Brand promise or claim; ensuring corporate behavior and brand authenticity is true, trusted, and transparent.

Engagements for this program will take place across three categories of companies that are represented on the CMO Council:

• South African multinationals in banking, telecoms, retail, manufacturing, insurance, food and beverages, business process outsourcing, IT services, digital media, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, etc.
• Foreign multinationals in financial services, automotive, FMCG, information technology, digital media, professional services, consulting, travel, hospitality, industrial systems, and health care products.
• Locally based and internally focused South African enterprises and emerging growth companies across all business and industry sectors.