Not surprisingly, we spend a good deal of time poring over a lot of CSR related material whether it emanates from clients, potential clients, or we’re reading it for professional reasons. We go through websites, download electronic versions and sometimes, yes, we even print things out.
The production of a CSR report is, quite rightly, a big deal for a lot of companies. What goes into them is decided by the business and its advisors. How they are read – that can’t be controlled so easily. It would be somewhat contradictory to release a CSR report on unrecycled, unrecyclable paper, print off thousands of copies and fly them all around the world. But there is something to be said for a well-produced hard copy. Not many people are going to read a hundred-page online-only report from cover to cover, but, if you need someone to do just that, you’d better provide them with something they can hold.
It’s about knowing your audience. If there’s someone who needs to see the information in detail, send them the real deal, albeit by applying the most eco-friendly methods you can find. For the rest, some well-thought-out options will suffice. Online reports that are made up of web pages copied into PDF format just won’t cut it. How about applying internet technology imaginatively to create a mini-site which showcases the information within the report and enhances the rest of your CSR website section? That way, you’ll have a lot less readers suffering from CSR information fatigue. You might also use the online technology to make your next report a lot better. Try asking for feedback. That sort of advice is a lot cheaper than asking an advisor!
