Sifting through the bull

Some companies are genuinely interested in doing the right thing. Other companies know their actions smell a bit dicey and feel badly, so they paint their crap pink and call it a cupcake. And then there are companies who'd push their grandmother down a staircase for her bingo money, post a video of it on YouTube, and laugh into their mimosas while you write scathing letters to the editor.

All three of these companies are adopting a new creed: Corporate Social Responsibility. Is it an oxymoron or a new movement? Cynical whitewash or the turning of a new leaf? Depends on the company. I fully believe some companies take this seriously. I also believe that others see it simply as a way to reach a demographic with spendable cash.

The answer is up to each of us to decide. But first, we have to know what companies are doing.

A few sites are getting popular as places for companies to publicize their good works. Publicity grab or standing up for what's right? I used to work in public relations for a multi-milllion dollar home builder. (Talk about a tough warm and fuzzy sell.) So I've learned that it's usually somewhere in between. In general, I'll give a company the benefit of the doubt unless I smell something stanky. I suggest you read the news on these sites with a similar amount of skeptical trust.

I do know this: corporations literally cannot handle any kind of big initiative unless it's labeled and acronymed. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is now both. Maybe that's a good sign.

CSR Wire (mostly news releases, some genuine, some slimy)
CSR News on Edie.net (little bit of everything from every angle)
CSR-News.net (news for and about organizations)