8 Social Challenges Your Business Can Impact - Part 2 (2024)

This is Part 2 of a 2-Part series, focusing on practical ways your business can address social challenges. Click here to read Part 1.

1. Income inequality
2. Access to education
3. Healthcare accessibility
4. Social justice and human rights

Were you able to get a glimpse into how you could think about impacting social change differently? As I told my community last week, you don’t have to jump into the deep end. You can start by dipping your toe in the shallow end and testing out the waters.

Today, we’re tackling four more social challenges and again linking them to the larger global initiatives. It’s powerful knowing the work you’re doing at the local or national level contributes to the larger fabric of change. I’m curious which, if any, of this week’s challenges will resonate for you.

Gender Equality: Fostering Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

Gender equality is one of the social challenges I’m personally passionate about. As the demographics of the global community shift and the demand for jobs increases, women’s access to jobs, education, and income will diminish unless we do something to actively close the gaps and level the playing field. When businesses thoughtfully address this challenge, they play a powerful role in creating a more equitable and inclusive society.

Practical Applications Include:

• Promote gender diversity in leadership positions by implementing inclusive hiring practices, providing equal opportunities for career advancement, and establishing mentorship and sponsorship programs for women. (SDG 5: Gender Equality)
• Conduct regular pay audits to identify and rectify any gender-based wage gaps and implement family-friendly policies such as flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and on-site childcare facilities (SDG5: Gender Equality, SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth)
• Support women-owned enterprises by establishing supplier diversity programs and actively seeking out partnerships with women-owned businesses (SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities)
• Develop and/or promote products and services that address the specific needs and challenges faced by women, including healthcare products, financial services, and educational resources (SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being)
• Establish policies against and proper reporting channels for gender-based discrimination and harassment (SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

Food Security: Combating Hunger and Ensuring Nutrition

Food security continues to be a significant challenge across the globe. According to the World Food Program, more than 345 million people will face high levels of food insecurity in 2023, more than double what it was in 2020, and the U.S. isn’t immune to this problem. 10.2% of households (~13.8 million) experienced food insecurity at some point in 2021 and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future.

Businesses can play a couple of important roles here. One, they can proactively ensure that their employees have access to nutritious food, which improves their overall well-being and productivity. Second, from a corporate responsibility perspective, addressing food insecurity can make a significant difference to vulnerable populations locally, increasing social cohesion and contributing to the overall resilience and well-being of the community.

Practical Applications Include:

• Establish partnerships with local food banks or nonprofits to donate surplus food (SDG 2: Zero Hunger)
• Encourage employee volunteerism at local food banks or community kitchens (SDG 2: Zero Hunger)
• Forge partnerships with local organizations to develop and fund programs that increase access to food, such as community gardens and food drives (SDG 2: Zero Hunger)
• Prioritize sourcing your products or ingredients from local farmers and food producers. By supporting local agriculture and food systems, small businesses contribute to the overall food security of their region and strengthen local economies, reduce our dependence on distant supply chains, and ensure access to fresh and nutritious food for the community (SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 15: Life on Land)
• Raise awareness about food insecurity and promote sustainable food practices within your customer base and local community (SDG2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being)

Mental Health Support: Prioritizing Well-being

The increased attention and focus on mental health has done wonders to support individuals in their overall well-being, but we still have a long way to go to reduce the stigma around it. Businesses are uniquely positioned to positively impact mental health through the creation of supportive work environments, increased access to resources and support systems. The prioritization of mental and emotional well-being fosters healthier and more productive workplaces, benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

Practical Applications Include:

• Partner with Employee Assistance Program providers to offer confidential counseling services, mental health resources, and referrals to employees who may be struggling with mental health issues (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals)
• Support work-life balance by offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible scheduling. Encourage your employees to take breaks, vacation time, and establish boundaries between work and personal life (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth)
• Offer workshops and training sessions to increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues, such as stress management, resilience building, and promoting work-life balance (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education)

Access to Technology: Bridging the Digital Divide

Access to technology is essential for participation in the digital age. This issue is so important, the U.S. Government is actively trying to establish measures and initiatives to ensure that all people living and working here have access to high-speed internet.

Businesses can create more access to technology because of their resources, expertise, and reach. They have the financial means, and fewer barriers, to invest in technology infrastructure and innovation, making technology more accessible and affordable for individuals and communities.

Practical Applications Include:

• Offer digital skills training programs or workshops to your employees and local community members, particularly those in underserved communities (SDG 4 - Quality Education)
• Donate or refurbish computers, laptops, tablets, or smartphones to schools, community centers, or organizations serving underserved communities (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
• Develop affordable technology solutions tailored to the needs of underserved communities. This could include low-cost mobile applications, software, or hardware that address specific challenges and improve access to vital services like healthcare, education, or financial inclusion (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
• Partner with community technology centers or establish your own centers to provide free or low-cost access to computers, internet connectivity, and technology resources. These centers are hubs for digital learning, online job searches, entrepreneurial support, and other technology-related activities (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals)

The Role of Collaborations and Authenticity When Addressing Social Challenges

We’ve covered a lot of ground over the last two weeks, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention two additional points:

1. Collaborations are a vital part of impact. You likely noticed that almost every single one of these challenge areas and the practical applications I shared include at least one way you can partner with others to enhance your impact. The challenges businesses can - and should - address are massive. We can’t get there on our own, but we can pool the best of our resources, talent, and expertise to shift the needle significantly.
2. Any initiative or attempts at creating impact have to come from a genuine desire to serve. While it may seem like a good sales tactic or a way to fix your image when trouble arises, inauthentic efforts almost always backfire. Engage your leaders, employees, and customers in conversations to discern what they’re passionate about and how that best intersects with your business mission. That’s where the magic happens.

Let’s embrace these challenges, integrate the pieces that fit into our business strategies, and create lasting impact for a more equitable, just, and sustainable world.

RESOURCES

10-Step Roadmap for Businesses Embracing Social Impact - In this step-by-step guide, you’ll walk away with clarity around your social impact goals, a strategy to bring it to life, and the questions you need to better understand how to align your operations, engage stakeholders, and measure your progress. You can download it for free here.

Impact Strategy Session - If you’re at the point in your business journey where this resonates with you and you’re looking for support to bring this to life, I’d love to chat with you! Schedule a free impact session to talk about your business, the impact you’re looking to make, and we’ll build a plan to get you there! Click here to schedule a time that works for you.