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Being a Good Corporate Citizen: How Doing Good Drives Business Success

Right and wrong
Explore how responsible organisations create profit and positive social impact by being good corporate citizens. Learn the Responsible Organisation Charter (ROC©), how to align values with social impact, and why examples like TOMS Shoes show that purpose‑driven business strengthens brand trust, resilience and long‑term growth.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 31 May '26 | Tags: good corporate citizen responsible organisation charter social impact strategy purpose-led organisation ethical business practices sustainable business success ranked leadership values values-driven business ROC framework ethical decision-making framework examples of responsible organisations how to align values with business decisions linking profit with purpose how businesses can create social impact how to be a good corporate citizen ethical business UK cic community interest company charity changing lives TOMs shoes

Choosing the best legal structure if you want to create positive change in the world

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There is no definitive "best" legal structure for making a positive impact, and several factors must be considered. I posted a couple of questions about legal structures to Microsoft's Copilot , its AI tool, and found the responses intriguing. The initial assumption was that a sole trader or a company wouldn't be viable legal structures for fostering positive change when I posed the question in terms of the title of this blog. However, when I asked, "What issues should you consider when choosing a legal structure?" the answers were quite different; they did not mention Mission or purpose or suggest that one might consider a charity as a legal structure.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 27 Feb '25 | Tags: cic CIO strategy

Five ways to respond positively to the budget

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As I have sat this morning listening to people, particularly in business, talking about the record tax burden, I thought it might be helpful to share some positive ideas about coping with increased staff costs and also how to help with the ambition to get the UK economy growing. For charities, there are ideas about how some of the budget tax rises might help you raise funds, and for CICs, a suggestion is to consider their legal structure. I'd also like to share some practical ways to address issues raised by the increase in employer's National Insurance if it will affect your organisation.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 31 Oct '24 | Tags: collaboration innovation cic charity staff engagement

When you grow up do you want to be a business, a social enterprise or a charity?

When I grow up
What is the difference between a business that wants to change the world, a charity that wants to change the world and a social enterprise and who decides which is which? Easy in terms of the legal charity status - after that it gets complex.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 08 Dec '22 | Tags: entrepreneur social enterprise public sector charity cic

Want a change? Should you become a charity or social enterprise?

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If you are very focused on changing the world and less focused on money maybe a business is not right for you

Posted by Sarah Brown on 09 Jun '20 | Tags: charity socent cic

When you grow up, what do you want a business, a social enterprise or a charity?

When I grow up
What is the difference between a business that wants to change the world, a charity that wants to change the world and a social enterprise and who decides which is which? Easy in terms of the legal charity status - after that it gets complex.

Posted by Sarah Brown on 06 Sep '13 | Tags: entrepreneur social enterprise public sector charity cic CIO

Community Interest Companies - are they coming of age?

Above the canopy
Community Interest Companies are in the news doing all sorts of things in all sorts of places. Its encouraging social enterprises are becoming so newsworthy if people understand that CICs are social enterprises that is

Posted by Sarah Brown on 26 Apr '13 | Tags: charity social enterprise funding and investment community interest company cic