The Dark Ages of corporate behaviour is over and Australians are demanding more from companies, according to the results of the first ever Australian Business Purpose Study 2013 (pdf). Today’s guest post is from Bec Madden at Shift.
Today the workplace plays a more meaningful role in people’s lives and so corporations are being called to account by Australians for their behaviour more than ever before.
In our study, how a company behaves is the third most important issue to Australians after their personal money and personal health. Eighty three per cent said it was very important for companies to look after their employees.
The truth is, we spend more time at work than anywhere else and the physical environment is critical to our wellbeing. Company benefits, how it supports us, how it handles hardships are key influences in how we view them and how they attract and retain us.
Ninety five per cent of Australians believe a company has responsibilities far beyond making a profit. Social responsibility is fast becoming the new currency.
With the Internet affording greater transparency there are less places for businesses to hide. People have an insider’s view into a company’s historical behaviour and commonly ask themselves how truthful they are. Ninety one per cent of Australians agree that it is this ability to be honest and human that will determine whether they’ll accept a position.
At the end of the day, the results show that if business can’t serve people and tap into core human values, then people won’t serve them.
Read the full Australian Business Purpose Study 2013: pdf. Find out more by contacting Shift MD Iain Good. Follow Shift on Twitter at @the_shifters.