CR-Kompass

A guide for SMEs

CR Kompass helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to implement corporate responsibility (CR) management and guides them through the creation of sustainability reports. CR Kompass can also be used to prepare progress reports that conform to UN Global Compact requirements.

Our web-based application was supported by the ESF-program and is available to our customers free of charge in its basic version.

Sign up with your company for the secure platform and create sustainable competitive advantages, e.g. by reducing energy costs, improving the employer image, positively differentiating yourself from competitors or tapping into new markets with sustainability-conscious customers.

Corporate responsibility isn’t an additional expense, but an investment into your company’s future. Contribute to a more sustainable society and discover the benefits of sustainable managment!

What is corporate responsibility?

Coporate reponsibility (CR) also known as corporate social responsibility (CSR) describes a company’s sense of responsibility for the impact of its business actvities on society, employees, or the natural and corporate environment. SMEs often have a long-standing tradition of corporate responsibility. However, most SMEs never sought to align their business activities with sustainability – despite countless mid to long term advantages. CR-Kompass will help you develop an SME-friendly CR strategy based on the following key topics:

Environment

Responsible handling of the environment and its natural resources by avoiding negative influences (emissions, waste, raw materials) and expanding positive influences (plantings, recycling ect.)

Human rights and workers' rights

Taking responsibility for employees and people who might be affected by your business activity, e.g. by protecting them against accidents, deseases or exploitation, and by creating better working conditions and possibilites.

Integrity and prevention of corruption

Responsible participation in the market by fighting against corruption and lobbying, creating transparency for stakeholders and consumers, and supporting alliances against corruption.

Social commitment

Shape society through responsible interaction with suppliers, social commitment of the employees in the local environment of the company and by not producting harmful goods.

Potential in your core business

Corporate responsibility goes far beyond sponsoring and collecting donations. Rather, the concept is rooted in your core business, where your organization creates value.

Regardless of the sector, meaningful CR activities can minimize risks for the company and help better utilize opportunities. However, the development of such strategies requires an analysis of the value chain as each area offers other opportunities for your company.

The link between business value added and social value added must be taken into account. Initiatives that generate no social value added don’t count as socially responsible; they are merely a “greenwashing” of your company. Likewise, initiatives that generate no business return are not socially responsible, they are simply philanthropic.

Real corporate responsibility requires both components to be united.

What does CR Kompass offer?

CR compass provides SMEs with a platform for implementing corporate responsibility and preparing sustainability reports. It supports recognized standards. Our application is free of charge and provides you with all the necessary tools to create a complete sustainability report. For further requirements and functionality we offer an extended premium version:

What does CR Kompass offer?

Management and reporting platform

The password-protected platform provides practical support to SMEs implementing corporate responsibility. Based on the process of sustainability reporting, this area contains tools on the following topics:

The simple menu navigation, a special training area including a learning program and an interactive help system help you use the platform. CR-Kompass guides you step by step to your sustainability report.

CR reporting for SMEs

Publishing a sustainability report not only contributes significantly to the public perception of your company, but also protects it against accusations of "greenwashing". The purpose of such a report is to describe a company’s corporate responsibility initiatives, programs and performance. It should explain what programs have been implemented and how, and give details of measured performance based on key performance indicators. CR Kompass follows established standards set by the Global Reporting Initiative and The Sustainability Code (TSC). The software is also designed to help businesses track and report on their implementation of the Global Compact’s Ten Principles. Thus, CR Kompass enables SMEs to create sustainability reports that are based on one or more internationally recognized standards.

Key performance indicators

Systematically tracking CR key performance indicators is important as it helps SMEs achieve their objectives: If you don’t measure performance, you can’t manage it effectively. More specific information on CR activities is easier to communicate. To help get you started with reporting, CR Kompass provides filters that allow you to select a reduced set of key performance indicators that are appropriate for your company.

Sustainability reports

Since around 2000, reporting on corporate responsibility has gradually grown in importance. What was already standard for listed companies and has become mandatory for larger organizations in 2017 is also rapidly gaining importance for small and medium-sized enterprises. Transparency requirements of interest groups, investors, or relevant actors in the supply chain often make it imperative to report on non-financial figures.

Corporate responsibility step by step

Tutorial

The CR Kompass tutorial teaches you about corporate responsibility and helps you to implement CR activities in your company. The program is composed of a series of learning units, which can either be completed one by one or individually as required. Each unit offers a practical introduction to each topic and allows you to test your knowledge with a number of short exercises.

Please note that the tutorial is currently only available in German.

Access to the platform

Defining topics

Engaging with stakeholders

Implementing CR for SMEs

CR-Kompass

A guide for SMEs

A guide for SMEs