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Description

CSR and Corporate Responsibility: Setting Strategy, Engaging Stakeholders and Making Trade-Offs

Making corporate responsibility a deliberate strategic choice rather than an image exercise

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Many organisations multiply responsible initiatives without connecting them to their strategy. Actions accumulate, communication runs ahead of results and teams fail to see the link with the business. When a trade-off arises between immediate margin and a publicly stated commitment, corporate responsibility loses.

These two days start from strategy rather than from an action plan: reading the business model through the lens of impacts and dependencies, identifying the value created by corporate responsibility, positioning with funders and investors, formulating commitments and then securing internal ownership. The approach applies equally to a company, a foundation or a public entity.

Learning objectives

  • Analyse your business model in terms of its impacts and dependencies
  • Identify the sources of value linked to a corporate responsibility approach
  • Formulate commitments consistent with the strategy and resources of the organisation
  • Build the narrative for clients, funders and teams
  • Prepare the trade-offs between economic performance and stated commitments

What makes this programme different

Review of each participant's business model through the lens of impacts
Trade-off workshop on a real dilemma between margin and a stated commitment
Commitments drafted and then stress-tested by the group for credibility

Programme

1Reviewing your model

Impacts and dependencies

  • Mapping the organisation's value chain
  • Identifying the impacts generated and the resources the activity depends on
  • Identifying medium-term vulnerabilities
  • Expectations of clients, funders and teams

2Where value is created

Linking commitment and performance

  • Sources of value linked to corporate responsibility
  • Market access and the requirements of major clients
  • Employer attractiveness and team retention
  • Controlling costs linked to resources and risks
  • Differentiation from sector competitors

3Formulating the strategy

Choosing and standing by it

  • Articulating the purpose and the structuring commitments
  • Selecting the areas where the organisation intends to stand out
  • Translating choices into objectives and resources
  • Decision governance and the role of executive leadership
  • Anticipating difficult trade-offs

4Engaging and telling the story

Ownership before communication

  • Ownership by teams and the role of line management
  • Embedding commitments into existing business processes
  • The narrative for clients and funders
  • Evidence to gather before communicating
  • Monitoring commitments and reviewing the strategy periodically

Who is it for

Business owners, executive committee members, strategic project leaders and CSR focal points in companies, foundations and public entities.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.