CSR: Right On Target

Today's New York Times article, "Target's First Store in Manhattan Took a Decade of Wooing" describes how Target laid the groundwork to open a major new retail outlet in Harlem. According to the article, Target invested a decade in getting to know the community, its leaders and its residents, and its needs and interests. Not only has Target been financially generous in strengthening schools, cultural institutions, and local parks, but the company is also selling locally produced and designed merchandise. Target has made similar preparations for store openings in Queens and other NYC communities.

Target is the perfect model for the case I have made in this blog and elsewhere that companies can benefit themselves and communities by being strategic about philanthropy and community relations. Fundamentally, Target's approach is true to its corporate purpose of increasing shareholder value.

I would recommend that Target add a powerful element to its approach: nonprofit board service. By involving members of its management team on local nonprofit boards, Target can achieve additional win-wins:

See continuation here...http://bit.ly/bu8cdp

Korngold Consulting LLC assists corporations in building fully integrated, high-impact CSR strategies, including leadership development through nonprofit board service.  Korngold Consulting trains and places business executives on nonprofit boards, and consults to nonprofit boards and leaders to strengthen governance for financial and strategic success.

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