Summary
With a diverse approach to corporate responsibly, Flag Communications has enhanced their reputation by focusing on reducing their environmental impact and contributing to their local community.  From a commitment to buying from responsible suppliers to a reading program with their local primary school, Flag Communications is making great strides in making a positive impact on their community.

Background
Flag is a design and communication agency, based in Cambridge, specialising in internal communication, graduate recruitment communication, corporate design and (more recently) CSR communication. Flag was a finalist in the regional Employer of the Year Awards, is an Investor in People (since 1997), and ISO 9001 accredited (since 1995).

Responsible business objectives 
Flag's business plan states:

'By building good relationships, taking responsibility, doing great work and enjoying what we do, we'll build a brilliant reputation as a successful design and communication consultancy and be a shining example of what a modern company can be.'

How they do it

• Internal working group.  Flag has set up an active internal group (Pelicans) to focus on environmental and community issues

• Commitment to work with responsible suppliers.  Flag's employees suggested that our purchasing plans should reflect our socially responsible stance.  We are careful to source printers who have environmental accreditation such as ISO 14001. Many of our approved suppliers have been working with us for more than 10 years.  . We now buy our drinking water from Aquaid, with donations to projects in the developing world and our coffee is supplied by Fair Trade. We are investigating Winds of Change wine, which supports work projects in Africa, for corporate events.

• Reading program with local primary school.  We have established a thriving Reading Buddies scheme at Mayfield Primary School. Twice a week, two to four people go to hear the children read. We can't quantify impact on literacy levels but the English teacher believes this has made a significant improvement. (c 120 hours a year)

• Support local secondary school.  We support Impington Village College, our local secondary school, and have helped produce the sixth-form newsletter, provided work experience opportunities, and volunteered for an Insight into Business day with 100 13-15 year olds.

• ProHelp - donating professional services.  Through BITC we have joined ProHelp. This gives us direct access to small-scale local projects where we can make a real impact. A representative from Flag has attended all ProHelp committee meetings and our first project is for the Foyer Federation. Foyer Federation supports homeless 16-25 year olds to make the move from dependence through providing shelter, welfare support, education and training opportunities and vital next steps towards independence. A marketing planning workshop led by Flag's marketing manager will help regional Foyer managers develop their marketing skills.

Business Benefits

• Low staff turnover and absenteeism. 
• Increased interest in employment. 
• Enhanced reputation.