CSR IS MORE THAN
A STRATEGY
AT INTERFACE
At Interface Inc., CSR includes policies, practices
and programs integrated
into business operations,
supply chains and decision-making processes throughout the company and wherever the company does
business. Interface is a global leader in the manufacture
of environmentally responsible floor coverings and is
recognized for its social commitments in business ethics, sustainability, community leadership and diversity by
award-granting organizations nationwide. Interface promotes CSR throughout the green building industry by
developing innovative supplier and manufacturer relationships. The company’s Diversity Connect™ program,
together with business units Bentley Prince Street® and
InterfaceFLOR®, offer procurement opportunities for
historically underrepresented businesses providing innovative, high-quality, cost-effective solutions.
“Corporate social responsibility is also achieving business success that honors ethics and respects
all people, communities and the environment,” says
Thomas Gallagher (shown right), category lead, strategic sourcing for Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(PG&E). “When you can provide economic growth and
opportunity to minority- or women-owned businesses
in a community where you do business, then you are
truly applying resources and establishing credibility for
the company’s commitment to social responsibility,”
Gallagher says.
Recently, this commitment was demonstrated when
PG&E finalized a service contract with M&M Floor
Covering, a minority dealer of Interface’s products.
M&M was awarded the contract based on its ability
to provide a sustainable flooring process that includes
InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles, installation, maintenance and
reclamation. “We’ve been able to demonstrate how to
partner effectively with strategically aligned businesses
that understand the sustainability and the green building
strategies. This effort has proven to be mutually beneficial across all aspects of sustainability: economically,
environmentally and socially,” says George Bandy (left),
vice president of diversity strategy for Interface Americas.
If diversity is your company’s core value, for
instance, “then that’s going to inform your corporate
citizenship program,” explains Stephen Jordan,
executive director of Business Civic Leadership
Center, the affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce that addresses social issues impacting
business. “And as companies increasingly recruit a
diverse work force, you’re seeing more programs that
reflect those employees.”
Consider the black employee-resource group at
one major multinational that encouraged its senior
executives to enlist in the fight against AIDS in Africa.
Company executives worked with government
and nonprofits in Ghana to form a coalition. The
result: They built a fully equipped hospital in just
nine months. The coalition is now opening clinics at
a rate of about one per month in different regions
throughout Africa. “Had there not been a diverse
Executives Plan to Increase CSR Spending
80% 77%
Response Rate
Anticipate
60 spending
more on
environmental
programs
40
20
0
Source: Grant Thornton LLP
50%
Expect greater
allocation
to social
responsibility
programs
45%
Say economic/
governance
initiatives will
get more
funding
work force, the issue wouldn’t have surfaced because
it wasn’t on the radar screen of senior management,”
adds Kramer.
CSR includes collaboration with nonprofits,
community groups and/or government, which can
bring credibility to the issue and help interested
parties pool resources. “To be strategic and break
through, a program needs to have authenticity,”
says Carol Cone, chair of Cone. “That requires
collaboration with major credible partners who are
experts in the field you’re working in, setting goals
