Stakeholder engagement advice for CSR leader

Starting in 2003, we worked with the renowned CSR team at Vodafone to develop a stakeholder engagement process that was rolled out worldwide.

Using internationally recognised standards, we assessed Vodafone’s engagement programme. We then made recommendations to help the company establish systematic engagement processes. These enable it to identify its main stakeholder groups and the issues that affect them, and manage constructive dialogue. For example, Vodafone now uses focus groups and interviews to understand consumer attitudes on key CSR issues. These processes ensure material issues reach the company’s decision-makers.

We were subsequently asked by Vodafone to develop a toolkit to help its operating companies manage local stakeholder engagement. The toolkit provides frameworks for mapping stakeholder groups, prioritising issues and tracking engagement activities. Vodafone now has a clear picture of local issues relevant at Group level. Also, information about stakeholders’ concerns and successful engagement practices are gathered and spread across the Group.

We have worked with Vodafone in other areas of CSR management. In 2005, we advised on the selection of material issues for inclusion in its CSR report. In recent years, we have benchmarked Vodafone's accountability performance and provided clear recommendations for improvement. In addition, we have advised the company on strategic questions, including how it should take account of CSR issues when developing new products.

What our client says

Our client, Vodafone group director of corporate responsibility Chris Burgess, says: “We appointed Two Tomorrows because we knew they wouldn't pull any punches and they'd really challenge our thinking. They've also been able to help us set our future priorities."