The mission at NBIS is to be the market leader in specialty construction insurance by administering customized programs with carriers, trade groups, and distribution partners. We do that by reliably delivering innovative, proactive, risk-management-based insurance solutions to the crane, rigging, specialized transportation, equipment dealer, and concrete pump industries.
All day, every day at NBIS, the approach is comprised of unwavering service, transparency, results, profitability, and people first—wrapped productively within a high-performing culture that builds synergy across all functional teams.
Zooming out, the broader application of this value system falls beneath the banner of corporate responsibility, also referred to as corporate social responsibility (CSR), or business sustainability—i.e., the ethics which drive an organization’s activities and how it operates so that it’s viable over the long term.
Zooming back in, CSR starts with recognizing an organization’s activities, and how the impact of those activities on society, the environment, and the economy, as well as on their own workforce. Through this lens, value creation is not just a matter of finances. Essentially, CSR, is the concept that a business has a responsibility to do good—and that a company should self-regulate its actions and be socially accountable to its customers, stakeholders, and the world at large.
Additionally, not only should CSR enrich the working environment of a company’s employees, but it should comprise a diverse range of related activities that help to deliver an organization’s strategic aims.
Broaden the Range
Ultimately, CSR is a form of international private business self-regulation which aims to contribute to societal goals of a philanthropic, activist, or charitable nature by engaging in or supporting volunteering or ethically oriented practices.
When a business commits to socially responsible practices, it creates an opportunity to positively impact employee satisfaction and retention. It’s also great for brand identity because CSR initiatives help bolster customer trust and public respect.
And, of course, the CSR initiatives themselves have a ripple effect of positive good. With every new sustainable business practice and every company committed to fair pay and ethical employee treatment, more positivity is brought into the world.Currently, the four types of corporate social responsibility for business include: Environmental, Ethical, Philanthropic, and Economic.
A productive example of what we at NBIS would view as well-considered CSR initiative comes from the Howden Group Foundation (Foundation), an extension of Howden Group Holdings (Group), which owns DUAL North America, Inc., the parent company to NBIS.
A registered charity in England and Wales (no.1156286) established in March 2014, the Foundation ensures all CSR activity and donations are aligned with the Group objectives:
- Relief of sickness
- Relief of poverty
- Relief of disasters
- Relief of unemployment
- Advancement of education
Through the Foundation, the Group operates a give-as-you-earn option through Charities Trust—a leading donations-management organization based in the UK. This approach offers employees in the UK an opportunity to make a monthly donation directly into the Foundation. From there, they can select charities of their choice to support on a one-off or on-going basis.
Matched giving is also supported—where the Group acknowledges the fundraising and volunteer efforts of employees, for the communities and charities of their choice, by matching up to £750 (approximately $800) of fundraising per employee, per year. By involving employees in the selection process of charities and local organizations, the Group seeks to broaden the range and diversity of charity and community work that it undertakes across the globe.
Relatedly, “Million for a Million” was a Group-wide charity initiative that encouraged employees and key business partners to take part in fundraising events and challenges in support of four organizations:
- Black Dog Institute
- Cancer Research UK
- InterRed
- Plastic Oceans
At the end of the 12-month program, the Foundation raised more than $1,500,000 (U.S) for over 35 charities worldwide. Over 5,000 participants took part in over 190 events around the world.
As part of the DUAL North America, Inc., family, NBIS is proud to be a part of global initiatives like these—while also echoing similar efforts in the U.S. for the trade industries we serve, and remain committed to.
