QUIZ - What kind of ethical rental business are you?

According to one study, CSR can increase a company’s profitability by 13% ! More and more businesses are committing to the environment and to their employees’ well-being. What about you? Do you know the social and environmental impact of your business ?

Lokki has put together a short quiz to find out your level of corporate social responsibility, the famous “CSR”... And you’ll see, it’s not rocket science! ‍

1.  Look after your equipment

Are you a bold buyer and repairer?
You know better than anyone that buying quality equipment is key to the success of your business… But here’s the good news: it also protects the planet! Investing in durable equipment saves resources and reduces your waste.‍

It’s the end of the season. You need to renew your fleet. What do you choose for your equipment?

▢ A. I invest in sturdy, top-quality equipment.

▢ B. I invest in mid-range equipment.

▢ C. I don’t pay attention to how durable the equipment is.

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How often do you service your equipment fleet?

▢ A. I service my equipment every day and anticipate breakdowns.

▢ B. I check my equipment often and always carry out repairs.

▢ C. I check my equipment now and then, but I’m not much of a DIY person…

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2. Take care of your customers

How attentive a rental business are you? Making sure your customers are satisfied builds loyalty and therefore makes your business more sustainable over time. Customers must be well informed both about the product they are renting and about their safety.

When customers book, how do you inform them?

▢ A. I tell my customers about any risks and the right habits to adopt as soon as I hand over the equipment. I like taking the time to talk with them.

▢ B. I sometimes inform my customers, or only the beginners.

▢ C. I don’t worry about my customers’ safety, I just tell them to be careful with the equipment.

A customer calls you urgently. There’s a problem with their rental. How do you react? 

▢ A. I respond quickly and really listen to my customers if there are problems during or after the rental. 

▢ B. I try to respond quickly to complaints, but I don’t always have the time. 

▢ C. I often lose my patience… ‍

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3. Work hand in hand with your suppliers   

Are you a tough negotiator? Ethical business practices are a key pillar of CSR. And that includes building good, lasting relationships with your suppliers!

You need to order equipment from one of your suppliers. What do you do?

▢ A. I plan my orders ahead to allow comfortable lead times and I never pay my suppliers late.

▢ B.  I plan my orders ahead to some extent, and occasionally I pay a little late.

▢C. I often place last-minute orders and I always pay my suppliers late.

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When it comes to your partners, which best describes you?

▢ A. I’m very loyal to my suppliers (I order from them regularly).

▢ B. I change suppliers fairly regularly.

▢ C. I change suppliers all the time.

4. Look after your employees

Are you a caring employer? The working environment and workplace relationships can be more or less good for employees’ well-being and health. A positive atmosphere and a high level of safety will give your staff a strong sense of involvement. So why wait to have smiling, motivated employees? A few small gestures will guarantee enthusiasm and loyalty, so everyone can work in a happy, good-humoured atmosphere! 

One of your employees has a problem. How do you react?

▢ A. No worries. I care about my employees’ health: I pay attention to workstation ergonomics and any protective equipment they need (and I train them on the right postures to adopt).

▢ B. Ouch, but it’ll be fine! I take care of the equipment side, but I don’t specifically train my staff on the right physical postures.

▢ C. Oops, I’d never thought about it... Panic!

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Day to day with your team, which best describes you? 

▢ A. I praise and encourage my employees every day for their commitment. I don’t blame my staff when they make mistakes and I plan proper, sufficiently long training for each of them.

▢ B. I pay attention to my staff fairly regularly and adapt training to each employee and the time available. 

▢ C. I don’t worry about the work my staff do, after all that’s what they’re paid for! They learn on the job. 

Outside work, what’s the atmosphere like with your colleagues?

▢ A. A party! I get on really well with my employees and we organise time together outside work (team meals, after-work drinks, sport together…).

▢ B. Smooth sailing. I get on well with my employees but we don’t see much of each other outside work.

▢ C. A nightmare! No way am I being seen with them! I don’t get on very well with my staff and we have no contact outside work.

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Results:

- If you have mostly A answers: you are a flawless rental business in every respect! Congratulations!

- If you have mostly B answers: you’re on the right track, well done! A little more effort and… you’re nearly there! 

- If you have mostly C answers: you’re a CSR outsider... But Lokki can help you improve!‍

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IN SHORT: as well as making you an ethical player, committing to environmental and social responsibility helps you:

- save money;

- build customer loyalty;

- maintain good relationships with your suppliers;

- and boost your employees’ motivation! 

So don’t wait any longer: step into the wonderful world of CSR! Join the Lokki community and share your best tips for becoming an ethical rental business!