New Year – New Social Value: How Setting Intentions Can Drive Social Impact in 2024
Hello 2024! It’s that time of year again – new resolutions – fresh intentions and the excitement of what a new year might bring. We all know the score when it comes to personal goal setting – maybe you want to hit the gym more or take up that hobby you talk about often but never do anything about. But …. what about your professional and community goals? How can we set intentions that not only make us feel good but also make the world around us a little better?
Let’s talk about setting intentions (not resolutions – I don’t know about you but I give those up really quickly!) for social impact. Whether you're an individual looking to make a difference or a company wanting to boost your social value - now is the perfect time to get intentional about creating positive change.
The Power of New Years Intentions for Social Impact …
We often think of New Years resolutions in the context of self improvement. But why not use this opportunity to think about how we can contribute to something bigger? Whether you’re part of a company or an individual setting personal intentions, consider how your actions can create a ripple effect of good in the workplace, your community and beyone. Setting intentions for social value means actively choosing to make a positive difference both in your immediate community and the wider world.
For businesses this could mean evaluating your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals. What do you stand for as a company? How can you align your operations with social impact initiatives? Your CSR efforts should not just be a side project or a once a year volunteering event. It needs to be embedded in your day to day decisions - from ethical sourcing to reducing your carbon footprint. Setting clear intentions for these goals can help companies drive long term meaningful social change. For many this is no longer a ‘nice to have’ it’s a legal requirement.
Aligning Values with Social Impact Goals …
Whether you're part of a team or working solo aligning your values with your goals is key. Social impact isn’t just a tick box exercise - it’s about creating sustainable change that reflects your core values.
So…how do we make this work?
For businesses - it’s about looking at your mission statement and business strategy and asking: How can we ensure that our values align with our social value goals? Are you supporting fair trade? Are your products contributing to environmental sustainability? Aligning values helps ensure that social impact isn’t an afterthought but a central part of the brand.
For individuals - it’s about reflecting on your personal values and considering how you can incorporate them into your goals. Maybe you care about education - volunteering your time to help young people develop skills is a great way to create positive social impact. Or perhaps you’re passionate about mental health - raising awareness and supporting organisations in your community can make a huge difference.
Case Studies of Social Value Success Stories …
It’s always inspiring to see others leading the way in creating social value through intentional goals. Here are a couple of businesses that nailed it in the past year:
Patagonia - Known for its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability Patagonia doesn’t just talk the talk. They set specific social impact goals like giving 1% of sales to environmental causes - using recycled materials in their products and promoting fair labour practices. Their focus on social and environmental goals is woven into their DNA making them a standout example of aligning business success with social good.
TOMS Shoes - Since day one TOMS has been committed to making a social impact with their One for One campaign. For every pair of shoes sold TOMS donates a pair to someone in need. Over the years they've expanded to include clean water - eye care and bullying prevention programmes. TOMS has shown that when you create a brand centred around social impact your success can be measured in more ways than just profits.
The Body Shop - From cruelty free products to fair trade initiatives The Body Shop has long been a pioneer in driving social and environmental change. They continue to set bold goals focusing on ethical sourcing and empowering communities through fair trade partnerships. Their commitment to human rights and the environment is reflected in every aspect of their business showing the real power of aligning values with social goals.
How Can You Get Started? …
Setting intentions for social impact in 2024 doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few practical steps to kick things off:
Reflect on Your Values - Take a moment to think about what matters most to you - whether it’s environmental sustainability - community support or equal opportunities. Use these values as the foundation for your goals.
Set Clear Actionable Goals - Whether you're part of a team or working solo set specific and measurable goals. For example “We will reduce our carbon emissions by 10% this year” or “I will volunteer 5 hours a month at a local food pantry.”
Create Accountability - Hold yourself and your organisation accountable for making a positive impact. Regular check-ins - progress tracking and sharing results with others can help keep the momentum going.
Celebrate Wins (Big and Small) - As you reach milestones or make progress on your goals celebrate! Acknowledging the difference you’re making helps keep you motivated and shows others what’s possible when intentions are set for social good.
Keep In Mind …
Let’s not just focus on personal growth as we head into 2024 - let’s make it a year where we actively work towards creating a better fairer world. Whether through business decisions - community involvement or individual actions - setting intentions for social impact can drive lasting change
So, what’s your social value goal for the year? Let’s make 2024 the year of purpose-driven progress!
Want some help? …
Give us a call -