Verizon’s Shared Success initiative sets a new standard for corporate social responsibility. Its 2011 Annual Report, “A truer connection” <pdf, 3.6MB> examines Financial and Corporate Responsibility Performance.
For Verizon, our most exciting growth opportunities occur where business and social interests intersect. You will read about both in this report, which for the first time combines our annual report with highlights of our corporate responsibility initiatives. Under the rubric of âshared success,â we are using our technological and philanthropic resources to address the worldâs unmet social and environmental needs. In the process, weâre fueling the social innovation that will open new markets, drive our growth and reinforce Verizonâs vital role in the digital world.
I have written about corporate social responsibility in the past, such as this piece six years ago at the launch of the TELUS Toronto Community Board.
More recently, I challenged the preoccupation we seem to have with a rural-urban digital divide in the hope of getting attention placed on introduction of programs targeting low income households with school aged children. We don’t need to look far to find opportunities for fueling social innovation to open new markets. There are too many Canadians in urban centres who can’t afford a computer, let alone the monthly price of being connected.
Take some time to read about Verizon’s approach to Shared Success. According to foundation consulting group FSG, Verizon plans to measure the economic and social benefits of these new initiatives.
Doing well by doing good.