Vodafone
We have worked with the renowned CSR team at Vodafone to develop a stakeholder engagement process to be rolled out worldwide.
Using internationally recognised standards, we developed and applied a benchmark model to assess Vodafone's stakeholder engagement. We then made recommendations to help the company establish systematic engagement processes. These enable Vodafone to identify its main stakeholder groups and the issues that affect them, and manage constructive stakeholder dialogue. For example, Vodafone uses focus groups and interviews to understand consumers' attitudes. Its processes also ensure that material issues reach the company's key decision-makers.
We were subsequently asked by Vodafone to develop a toolkit to assist the Group's operating companies in developing systematic stakeholder engagement. The toolkit provides frameworks to use in mapping stakeholder groups, prioritising issues and tracking engagement activities. Vodafone now has a clear picture of local issues that are relevant at Group level. Also, information about stakeholders' concerns and successful engagement practices can be gathered and spread across the Group.
We have worked with Vodafone in other areas of CSR management, too. In 2005, we advised the company on the selection of material issues for inclusion in its CSR report, using the AA1000 materiality test. We subsequently developed text for the report to describe this process and the report's scope.
We have also benchmarked Vodafone's accountability using our Accountability Rating methodology. We provided the CSR team with detailed feedback on its performance and clear recommendations for improvement. In addition, we have advised Vodafone on long-term strategic questions, including how it could take account of CSR issues when developing new products and services.
Charlotte Grezo, Vodafone's director of corporate responsibility, says: "We appointed csrnetwork because we knew they wouldn't pull any punches and they'd really challenge our thinking. They've also been able to help us set our future priorities."
