participation options for 2008

The Corporate Responsibility Index (CR Index) is a business-led, self-assessed benchmark of corporate responsibility performance. It provides a company with a systematic approach for comparing its management processes and performance across four key areas: environment, community, marketplace and workplace with both its peers and all other companies participating in the Index. The Index process can be used as an internal management tool to identify gaps in performance and raise awareness of risks and opportunities across the company in order to add value to the business.

Participation in the Index continues to be voluntary. The following engagement options are available in 2008.

public benchmarking

The full Public Benchmark option provides participants with the following:

• participation in workshops to assist participants with their understanding and interpretation of the CRI with practical advice for effective and efficient participation;
• analysis and validation of survey responses, including an onsite visit and the provision of verbal, high-level performance feedback;
• a documented Confidential Feedback Report that compares company performance in the Index against peers and other Index participants, as well as providing some high-level insights into key strengths and areas for development in current corporate responsibility practices against the CR Index framework;
• public recognition of your commitment and performance in the publication of the results;
• an opportunity to join a key group of Australian and international business leaders at the National Business Leaders’ Forum on Sustainable Development; and participation in feedback workshops to provide feedback on the validation process, common performance gaps and process improvements for the next year’s Index.

private benchmarking

Private Benchmarking is offered to companies for an initial year prior to transitioning to the full public Index. It provides participants with the same services outlined in the full Public Benchmark however, results will not be publicly reported. This offers an excellent entry point for companies who wish to understand their current performance, including areas of strength and those for improvement, but are not yet ready to take part in the published CR Index.

modular index (environment, community or workplace)

The modular option provides an entry level for participation in the CR Index focusing on a single impact area (Environment and/or Community). These modules follow the same structure as the full Index but concentrate specifically on the elected area. Results will be publicly reported in the CR Index supplement in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
Modular responses will involve the same services outlined in the full Public Benchmark option only for the nominated module(s).

notes

• There is an expectation that companies participating through the private benchmark and modular options will commit to transitioning to participation in the full Index

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The Corporate Responsibility Index is funded by the Australian Federal Government. The Index, developed and maintained by Business in the Community in the UK, is a project of St James Ethics Centre supported by Ernst & Young. Our media partners are The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Project catalyst: Pilotlight Australia.