Personal Social Responsibility
On the publication of his new book, Personal Social Responsibility, i-genius caught up with Arvind to ask him what is PSR all about. This is what he said.
Editor: What is Personal Social Responsibility?
Arvind: Personal Social Responsibility (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.
A socially responsible person will endeavour to have a positive effect on others and enrich his environment. He will strive to make a positive contribution, and will not pollute the atmosphere, both physically and metaphorically.
Perhaps if the senior bankers had been more socially responsible then we may not be facing financial meltdown right now!
Editor: What motivated you to write this book?
Arvind: For a long time I have been frustrated with the way businesses were being run with an apparent total focus on the bottom line. At the same time I kept meeting people who wanted to do more for their community and society in general through their work and businesses.
I really do believe that businesses run ethically and with the bigger picture in mind can truly transform society and the planet we live on.
Editor: How will readers benefit from reading your book?
Arvind: Rather than just another book on the theory of being socially responsible, I felt that what my readers needed was a practical workbook to guide them to becoming more socially responsible.
I feel I have achieved just that with my book as it offers 52 simple but powerful questions. These questions will guide the reader to discover their personal values and aspirations for doing more for themselves and society in general through their work.
Editor: Should social entrepreneurs be frightened about the global economic crises?
Arvind: There really is so much talk of gloom and doom around us right now! I actually believe that this is the perfect time for social entrepreneurs to focus even more in what they believe in – if anything their vision and energy is needed by the world more than ever before.
It has been proven that previous such times have lead to much innovation and enterprising companies have greatly prospered. I guess that any budding social entrepreneurs out there should grasp any potential or actual opportunities and then go for it.
Simply ignore the doom slayers and let them harp on about the “bad” times!
Editor: What are your future plans?
Arvind: I will be spending the next six months heavily promoting my book and my message about personal social responsibility through my talks and other work. I will also be blogging regularly at my blog which supports the book:-
www.PersonalSocialResponsibility.com
Beyond that I would like to travel a lot more, meet social entrepreneurs around the world and support them with their work.
The book can be purchased on http://www.personalsocialresponsibility.com/buy-the-psr-book/
Editor: Also I notice that 10% of the profits from your book are going to Shivia – how did that come about.
Arvind: I actually first came across Shivia after reading your report about the Thailand conference in March earlier this year. I was immediately drawn to their work and this seemed a good way of giving something back. Do check them out and support them in any way you can check.
Editor: Thank You Arvind!
