A NEW company is challenging businesses to re-think how they link up with their local communities.

Corporate Re:Action Ltd, which has offices in London and Bledlow Ridge, was formed earlier this year by Nick Corble, Lizzie Geffen and Arwyn Thomas, a former executive director of the The Prince's Trust. Nick Corble is mainly based at the Bledlow Ridge office.

Both Lizzie and Nick had done work for The Prince's Trust where they met Arwyn and decided the time was right to form their own company to put their ideas into practice.

Setting up the company coincided with the growing interest nationally in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), sometimes known as corporate citizenship.

Corporate Re:Action believes that effective CSR comes from identifying both a real business need and matching this with local community priorities.

The company aims to help businesses develop a strategic plan, as well as suggesting social programmes they could become involved in, not only to strengthen their reputation in the community but also bring loyalty from their staff and enhance their reputation as an employer of choice.

Nick gives one example of how CSR can work. One manufacturing company which had problems in recruiting staff for its factory workshop developed a programme of work with the long-term unemployed through sponsoring work placement and mentoring, thus benefiting both parties.

Nick said: "Both companies and community representatives are having to learn a much more subtle approach to working together."

"What's needed is a two-way relationship, not one based simply on donations, but a recognition of mutual needs and responsibilities. Although many companies may think they are doing their bit, how many can prove what they are doing is making any difference."

You can contact Nick Corble on 01494 481395 or look up web site: www.corporatereaction.co.uk