Key Themes from Our First ‘Be More’ Breakfast Networking Event.
360 Degree Society's CEO, Catherine and Commercial Director, Kris; co-hosts of the Breakfast Networking Event.
Our July Be More - Breakfast Networking Event was a resounding success and has definitely arrived at the perfect time and place. Attendees enjoyed starting their day with insightful discussion, shared inspiration all whilst forming connections with value aligned thinkers and practitioners.
In the words of our CEO Catherine Smith, it brought “like-minded, purpose driven individuals together to explore how we and our organisations can #bemore when it comes to realising corporate social opportunity. We are hoping to create a regular gathering in a safe and supportive environment to share knowledge, practice, and help to deliver well-needed change for the communities we serve and live within. Anyone wanting to make a difference on behalf of their organisation is very welcome to join us.”
We’ve taken the time to capture some of the insights and key themes that emerged from the event.
Corporate Social Opportunity:
Creating a space to discuss and create meaningful change is imperative. Corporate Social Opportunity (CSO) represents a strategic alignment of community needs with organisational goals, driven by leaders committed to embedding strong social values within their corporate cultures.
Why CSO is Essential:
Strategic Value: CSO is not merely a philanthropic endeavour; it is a strategic approach that integrates social impact into the core business model, enhancing overall organisational performance.
Leadership-Driven: Effective change is propelled by leaders who are deeply invested in fostering impactful and sustainable initiatives.
Beyond CSR: Unlike traditional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which often involves superficial compliance, CSO focuses on genuine, long-term actions that deliver real value to all stakeholders.
Investing in Future Generations
Addressing the challenges of Brexit, Covid-19, and extended austerity, it is critical to create opportunities for young leaders who will shape the future. Supporting their development is not just an obligation but a strategic imperative.
Our Role as Leaders:
Assist organisations in transcending basic CSR practices to achieve meaningful and strategic CSO outcomes.
Cultivate strong connections and foster a culture of sustained change within organisations.
Focus on substantive actions rather than superficial gestures. Authenticity is key to effective CSO.
Adapt to the evolving business landscape, recognizing the role of entrepreneurs and family businesses in leading change.
Building Strategic Alliances
To advance CSO, it is essential to identify and engage with allies who support these objectives. Facilitate constructive dialogues, integrate private organisations into the conversation, and align community needs with business interests to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Our Value Proposition:
Develop and leverage professional relationships to support CSO efforts through networking and connections.
Highlight successful initiatives to inspire and inform others with insightful story telling.
Offer actionable advice on implementing effective CSO strategies.
Do you need to create time to step out of daily operations and take time to reflect on the bigger picture of CSO? Come and spend time with like-minded people striving to make a difference for their communities. Keep an eye out on our LinkedIn page for upcoming Breakfast Networking Events.