Unit 1: Engage executives early

[Alicia_Schmidt]

As you are starting to design your initial social impact program plan, be sure to meet with your executive team and other key stakeholders (this could be employees, board members, and even investors) to better understand their motivations, listen to their concerns, and plant seeds for your long-term success. 

If you haven’t already, educate this group on the Pledge 1% model and present your initial vision. It’s best to draft this first and workshop it with your executive team as you clarify your plan. 

Tips for approaching and engaging your senior executives:

• Meet with every member of the executive team when you are starting out. Invite them all to participate and, at minimum, make sure they are informed about your vision, goals, and strategy.  Research and understand the personal values and interests of senior executives and tailor your social impact vision to resonate with their passions and beliefs.
  
  
• Appeal to the long-term cultural benefits and your executives’ legacy. There’s a reason your executives have agreed to take the pledge and build impact into your company’s DNA. Share how your social impact strategy will help them meet their personal and business goals. Frame the social impact vision as an opportunity for them to demonstrate leadership in the industry and community.
  
  
• Provide case studies and examples: Share success stories and examples of other companies that have implemented similar social impact programs successfully. This can help build credibility and show that your approach will be feasible and effective.
  
  
• After the initial meeting, set regular (ideally quarterly) meetings or async updates with executives. Or participate in quarterly executive reviews with other departments. Present updates on your strategy, model, and progress to the executive team alongside other departments and in the same format as other leaders across the business. Regularly communicate progress and results to the executives using data to measure the impact and demonstrate the return on investment.
  
  
• Get into the rhythm of the business. Impact should not be siloed; it should be baked into the day-to-day operations of your business.
  
  
• If your Executives are hesitant about making a commitment, consider proposing a pilot or small-scale initiative to test the waters and demonstrate the potential value of the social impact program. Once the benefits are evident, it will be easier to phase into larger initiatives.

“Everyone comes to the table with their own personal context for giving.  Abandon assumptions and gain alignment around how your company’s unique model can drive impact.”

Jessica Lindl Vice President of Social Impact and Education

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Next: Determine your structure