Got CSR?

Got CSR?

Harkening back to my early days in business school at UW-Whitewater, I'm reminded of freshman speech class. I like to talk, so giving speeches was no big deal. However, before we began writing, practicing and delivering speeches, much of our time centered on the topic of listening. That's right, listening. 

Our professor said that the best communicators do more listening than talking. Hmmm. I've found that it's not always easy to make listening a priority, but I certainly try. (Apparently, the current class of U.S. presidential contenders didn't take Speech 101 at UW-W.)

Over the years, listening has served us well. Airport Improvement, its editorial format and circulation composition are the direct result of listening. We would have never factored airport consultants into both our editorial and circulation plans without listening to the market. The same can be said for many of the articles you read in each issue, which brings me to CSR.

Earlier this spring, Paul Behnke contacted me with an article idea about corporate social responsibility (CSR). Frankly, the subject wasn't on our radar of upcoming topics to profile. But the more I listened to Paul and what he said about the importance of CSR to airports, the more I came to believe that it was a story that really needed to be told.

What follows in this issue there is a comprehensive primer about what CSR is, how it can be implemented and the need for it to be codified and put into practice at all airports, regardless of size. I'd make the case that CSR is also important for airport consultants and their suppliers. 

Listening to our communities, our employees and especially to our consciences is a great place to start! 

Cheers,