DVJ Insights reinforces its CSR strategy with ISO 26000 certificate
Published on 17 04 2024We are proud to announce that our organisation has taken a significant step forward in our commitment to social responsibility and ethical practices by aligning our operations with the International Standard ISO 26000. This milestone is not just a testament to our dedication but also a reflection of our CSR policy belief in the importance of sustainable growth. The company’s strategic approach to CSR is structured around the following key areas:
Equality and Organisational Structure
At its core, DVJ Insights champions a flat organisational hierarchy, minimising hierarchical differences to foster an environment of equality. This approach allows for equal opportunity and visibility across all levels of the company, from junior consultants to seasoned veterans, ensuring everyone can contribute meaningfully to content production and innovation. The company’s unique innovation program, including the Reality Innovation Awards (RIAs), encourages all employees to engage in both incremental and radical innovations, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaborative creativity.
Diversity and Inclusivity
DVJ Insights is characterised by its diverse workforce, with over 20 nationalities represented across four offices. The company operates predominantly in English to accommodate its diverse team, and most meetings are held online to ensure inclusivity. The management team, based in Utrecht, reflects this diversity, with multiple nationalities and a majority female composition, emphasising the importance of gender balance and cultural representation.
Employee Vitality and Well-being
The company has developed a vitality plan focusing on the physical and mental well-being of its employees. Adjustments to workspaces, both at home and in the office, alongside initiatives promoting physical activity, mental health, and healthy eating, are key components. DVJ Insights also employs a “happy-or-not” meter to monitor employee satisfaction daily, aiming for a Joy Score of over 75% satisfied employees. This approach is complemented by the availability of trusted persons and a prevention worker to address individual concerns and maintain a healthy work environment.
Sustainability
DVJ’s energy policy prioritises sustainability, encouraging the use of electric vehicles, public transportation, and paperless office practices. These measures are part of a broader effort to minimise the company’s environmental footprint and promote sustainable business practices among employees.
Social Return
The company actively contributes to society through donations to research, participation in charitable sports events, and partnerships with organisations like Beatbatten. Furthermore, DVJ Insights promotes its field by offering guest lectures at universities and collaborating with the scientific community, aiming to inspire the next generation and support disadvantaged groups.
Responsible Client Selection
In line with its CSR values, DVJ Insights has made a conscious decision not to engage with the tobacco industry, supporting the vision of a smoke-free Netherlands. This policy reflects the company’s commitment to positive societal impact and ethical business practices.
DVJ Insights not only implements CSR practices but also conducts research on CSR’s significance in the business world. Through its annual Brand Growth Study and events, DVJ engages with industry leaders and academics to explore and share insights on CSR’s role in fostering sustainable brand growth.
This policy demonstrates DVJ Insights’ dedication to creating a positive, inclusive, and sustainable working environment, while actively contributing to societal well-being and promoting responsible business practices. Through its comprehensive CSR approach, DVJ Insights sets a high standard for corporate social responsibility, reflecting its core values of positivity and accountability.
About ISO 26000
ISO 26000, provides guidance on how businesses and organisations can operate in a socially responsible way, meaning it advises on ethical and transparent practices that contribute to the health and welfare of society. ISO 26000 covers areas such as organisational governance, human rights, labour practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, community involvement, and development.
ISO 26000 is not a certification standard like e.g. ISO 27001, instead, we used ISO 26000 as a framework to integrate social responsibility into our values and practices, demonstrating our commitment to social responsibility. In short, it’s about embedding social responsibility into the heart of the organisation’s strategy and operations, rather than achieving a certificate.
Through active engagement, we gathered essential input on what stakeholders deem important and fitting for our CSR efforts, which resulted in establishing the relevant and significant themes in our CSR policy. From this, we prioritised the following themes: Human rights, Labor practice, Consumer affairs and Community involvement and development.
During this process of creating our ISO 26000 documentation, we assessed our current practices; we reviewed current practices against the guidance offered in ISO 26000 to identify areas of strength and those requiring improvement.
Based on the assessment, we developed strategies to address and discuss possibilities and key areas of social responsibility as outlined in ISO 26000. And now that our initial documentation has been developed, we will monitor progress and report on developments. Because, as we move forward, DVJ Insights remains dedicated to upholding these principles, continually seeking ways to enrich our CSR contributions and uphold our commitment to making a positive impact on the world.