7. Drive big business by understanding your customers on a local level | Andy Cook, Centre for Social Justice

Being a socially conscious business is becoming more and more important, but can it really help you grow your brand long-term? 

In this episode of All About Business, James Reed sits down with Centre for Social Justice CEO and proud Leeds native, Andy Cook. They explore the unseen world of philanthropy, why small charities are often more powerful, the best interview questions to ask future employees, and the steps you can take to become a brand locals love. 

Andy is CEO of The Centre for Social Justice, an award-winning organisation that aims to solve Britain’s most pressing social issues through political change. Hailing from Leeds, Andy founded another award winning charity that helped disadvantaged youth across the Midlands.  Since then, he’s become an advisor to several leading philanthropists and CSJ has been awarded social policy Think Tank of the Year for the last 2 years.

1:56 - Introducing Andy Cook - CEO for the Centre for Social Justice

2:48 - The Centre for Social Justice

8:43 - The five areas of help that affect Society

9:58 - The Big Give

13:38 - The importance of giving people opportunities

16:56 - The power of smaller charities 

19:04 - Where do donations go and how to make the process better

21:07 - Should businesses engage more with philanthropy?

25:35:00 - The Kickstart Program

27:40:00 - Finding a balance between education and employer's needs

31:36:00 - The Centre for Social Justice Foundation

34:36:00 - Why businesses should be more involved in the education system

38:18:00 - How you can help

40:10:00 - Reed interview segment

41:50:00 - Wrap up and final thoughts

Find out more about the CSJ

Follow Andy on LinkedIn

Register for the Green Match Fund

Donate to a cause you care about

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to get your brand heard, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk