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The impact of the groundbreaking book Liberating the Corporate Soul was immediate for the business world when published in 1988. Move forward twenty years and its author Richard Barrett, who hails from this side of the Atlantic but now lives in Carolina, continues to influence business thinking. As an advocate for measuring the financial benefits of a sustainable, values-led organisation, his influence has been nothing short of revolutionary.

More than a thousand organisations have guided themselves through change using his cultural transformation tools and the approach even forms a key part of the Latvian government's long-term regeneration strategy.

According to Hull-born Barrett, the most critical challenge for today's captains of industry is how to tap the deepest levels of creativity and the highest levels of productivity of employees.

There have been great strides in harnessing human capital but, he argues, 21 Century companies need to go further if they are to build and maintain competitive advantage. It will all pivot on how the employee regards the organisation in terms of its role in society. Is it a trusted member of the community? Is it a good global citizen?

Barrett maintains that developing a values-driven approach is now integral to improved business performance. Who you are and what you stand for are becoming just as important as what you sell.

At Primeast, he was hosting a workshop for twenty leading consultants from across the North of England. He presented a pioneering programme that enables businesses to develop their corporate social responsibility culture by looking beyond their profit and loss sheets to support sustainable development and build stronger communities.

A Fellow of the World Business Academy, a non-profit business think tank discussing the role and responsibilities of business, Barrett has authored several books on corporate liberation and is invited as guest speaker to management and leadership events across the world.

Primeast managing director Russell Evans said: "Hosting Richard's workshop was a real coup for us, giving our team and leading consultants an opportunity to hear from one of the world's top authorities on value-based corporate evaluation.

"The issue of measuring performance beyond financial information is crucial within the wider agenda of corporate social responsibility."

But the visit by such a renowned expert is also testament to the standing that Primeast has achieved in the world of leadership development and change management.

From its base at the modern but leafy Cardale Business Park on the outskirts of Harrogate, the ten-strong team has expanded its overseas network to encompass 40 countries over four continents. Last year, the firm posted 50 per cent growth and consistently adds big names to its portfolio of clients which includes Standard Bank, ExxonMobil, Honda UK Manufacturing; E-ON and National Grid.

Personal Social Responsibility, the latest book by CSR Consultant, author and professional speaker Arvind Devalia is a powerful guide for responsible business. Mervin Straughan, who provides the foreword, caught up with Arvind on its release.

Thumbing through Personal Social Responsibility, the reader is struck by the string of endorsements that read like the thoughts of a Who's Who of ethical commerce and industry.

But while such quotes convey the gravitas that this book deserves, Devalia's latest offering is an astonishingly simple read for such a weighty topic, thanks to a systematic approach. Having said that, a word of caution - it's no walk in the park and for good reason.

Described as the hard-nosed business person's guide to corporate social responsibility, it packs a punch. It has to.

Working in a similar vein to Devalia's Get the Life you Want published three years earlier (check out the number of five-star ratings by reviewers on Amazon), Personal Social Responsibility is a call to action.

Corporate social responsibility has been gaining momentum in recent years with organisations recognising the bottom-line benefits of a responsible approach and working with various stakeholders to create a sustainable business - employees, customers, suppliers, the community, the environment, investors and so on. However, personal social responsibility is used less frequently in business circles.

After providing an overview of the fundamentals of good business practice, Devalia cuts to the chase.

This is an appropriate point to issue another word of warning: if you prefer to point your finger at government departments or any faceless groups about the state of society, this book is not for you. This is about personal impact, asking us as individuals who we are, what on earth we're doing on this planet and whether or not it will be a better place when we leave it.

The thrust of his argument is that everything we do matters - and makes either a positive or a negative impact on everything around us.

Devalia draws on a familiar idea to make the point: "A butterfly flapping its wings in Regents Park causes turbulence and havoc in New Orleans - now you know what really caused Katrina."

"The time has come when we cannot just rely on others - each one of us has to do our bit. "

But while the phrase Personal Social Responsibility may not be in common parlance, yet, Devalia is sure it soon will be.

"A year ago, with a friend, I came up with the phrase "Personal Social Responsibility". But searching online, it seems that though the phrase might be in use in some places, it has not really taken off yet.

"But I feel that PSR is an idea whose time has come.

"PSR is all about doing to others what you would like others do to you. It is about recognizing how your behaviour affects others, and holding yourself accountable for your actions. For example, contrast someone being well mannered with someone being rude."

Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder and chairman of Cobra Beer summarises neatly describing the book as a powerful manual for those concerned not just about doing things right, but doing the right thing and that it's not just good enough to be the best in the world; you have to be the best for the world.".

According to Devalia, a PSR aware person will:-

The book's final endorsement picks up on the urgency for us all to act now and comes from swimmer and environmentalist Lewis Gordon Pugh who says: "More than ever before, we need world-changing answers and we need them fast to solve the challenge of climate change. This book and its powerful questions will help you and your company find the right answers before it is too late."

"Make your life and your actions count from today. Make things happen.

"Come from a place of being socially responsible - you owe it to our future generations."

Ben W Heineman, former general counsel of business giant GE is not a man who settles for second best as Michael Millward, of CSR Consortium member company. Abececder®, finds out during a discussion about his new book High Performance with High Integrity. View PDF

Line managers have a crucial role to play in harnessing the many benefits of a diverse workforce. Amanda Heenan of CSR Consortium member company Ideas into Action reports. View PDF

The CSR Consortium has produced an online guide to help small and medium sized enterprises boost their bottom lines through environmentally-friendly business practices.

The guide, written by value governance expert Barry Pierce, outlines how adopting a three-point plan enables companies to improve business performance and profitability as well as meet the rising expectations of customers, employees, government - and the supply chain.

The CSR Consortium, which comprises 22 management consultancies across the north of England, provides a one-stop shop to businesses requiring corporate social responsibility services.

Barry, who runs ixabiso management consultancy from Edale, North Derbyshire, said: "There is increasing pressure on businesses to act in an environmentally-friendly manner. Customer choice and supplier vetting, along with a rising tide of regulation and green taxes, mean it's now an imperative.

"By adopting a three-point plan of good housekeeping, process revision and strategic engagement, SMEs will see very positive results."

The guide is available from the knowledge area of the consortium website www.csrconsortium.co.uk/knowledgebank.php.

For further information about this press release, please contact:

Sharon Cain, Quest Public Relations, tel. 01423 564 192

Barry Pierce, of ixabiso, tel. 01433 670 484

That's the message from the eighteen companies that have joined forces to launch a full corporate social responsibility (CSR) service through a consortium believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.

The CSR Consortium will provide strategic and tactical expertise to help organisations make the link between responsible business practice and improved financial performance.

The pioneering "one-stop shop" will work with businesses in key areas such as stakeholder strategy, performance management, health and safety, environmental management, organisational change, supply chain management and socially responsible recruitment. It will also focus on community engagement and regeneration, customer service, diversity, and employee development

Media agencies with a keen involvement in the CSR agenda have been also brought on board to ensure that clients' messages are communicated responsibly.

The companies at the time of launch are: Abraxas Business Solutions Ltd, Abeceder Ltd, Acquire Resources, Breathing Space HR, Brian Daniels Consulting, FWA Consulting, Ideas into Action, Ixabiso, Matchpoint Recruitment, MH Safety, PeopleProfitPlanet, Primeast, Quest Public Relations, SaltaSustainable, Silverleaf Ltd,, StraughanConsulting, The Ark Design and Print Ltd and Walton Environmental.

Consortium spokesman Mervin Straughan described the launch meeting held at the offices of Harrogate-based Primeast as "a pivotal moment", adding that the combined experience of the service providers reflected the full breadth and depth of the CSR agenda.

He said: "The CSR Consortium draws on a vast array of private, public and voluntary sector experience to demystify CSR. We will help companies to integrate the relevant strands into their operations and culture. Through this process, companies can realise and reap the powerful benefits such as improved recruitment, retention - and profitability."

"There isn't a week goes by without some business research emerging about the impact of a responsible approach, often warning that businesses that fail to recognise and act on the opportunities will be caught out.

"We know that there are consultancies that provide some of the CSR-related services but would be surprised to find any with the number of companies and breadth of experience that our consortium offers."

Further information about this press release is available from:

Sharon Cain, MD, Quest Public Relations 01423 564192

Mervin Straughan, StraughanConsulting 01423 750304