“Metrics, metrics and more metrics. In many ways metrics drive the success of business. Multiple variables can be condensed to the common denominator of dollars and cents, pounds and pence. Many business failures could have been avoided for want of a business case. But, the specificity of metrics also allow us to persuade ourselves that there is more science and more certainty than there may really be and that we fully understand the complex interactions of the real world. There are solid business cases behind some of the most spectacular business failures – perhaps those where metrics were allowed to lead decisions rather than inform them.
They say the best way to beat your adversaries is to get to know them. CSR reports have many adversaries. In an attempt to get to know them, and understand how to better position the valuable process of CSR reporting, here is a list of useful applications of CSR reports which I imagine reporting adversaries could have generated.
Despite the enthusiasm regarding sustainability expressed by the global business community, these organizations have been slow to address these issues when it comes to sustainable supply chain management, says a new study by the Business Performance Management (BPM) Forum and E2open that was conducted in the second quarter of this year. Operations, logistics and supply chain executives also lack the understanding of how to go green and save green across complex, global, multi-tiered supply and distribution networks. The study, titled “Acceleration of ECO-Operation: Achieving Success & Sustainability in the Supply Chain,” gained insights from more than 125 supply chain, operations, finance, and executive professionals around the world across multiple industries. It set out to measure and quantify how companies are managing the complexities of supply chain demands, distribution costs and environmental concerns. The study has major implications for supply chain, finance, operations, logistics, and procurement professionals and underscores the need for better ECO-Operation, sustainability measurement, and operations insight into multi-tiered supply chain networks.
Coro Strandberg, Principal of Strandberg Consulting, has introduced the Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Resource Management Checklist that identifies ten steps HR professionals can follow to support the integration of CSR into their organization’s business strategy and operations. A companion document, The Role of Human Resource Management in Corporate Social Responsibility: Issue Brief and Roadmap, provides a how-to guide including practical business-based examples and a business case for CSR integration.
The newly published, inaugural Carbon Salary Survey, is one the first studies to provide detailed information about professionals working in the climate change and emissions trading markets globally. The Carbon Salary Survey, which culled responses from 1,157 participants, is a collaborative project between Acre Resources, a green recruiting consulting firm; Acona, a CSR consulting firm; and Thomson Reuters Carbon Market Community. Throughout April 2009, they surveyed people working in the following areas: renewable energy; clean technology and energy efficiency; carbon finance/brokering; carbon/climate change law, policy or regulation; the project-based emissions market under the Kyoto Protocol(CDM & JI); and the voluntary offset market and climate change science. Based on the results, it appears that green professionals overall are well-paid, feel that they have job security and are happy.
The corporate social responsibility studies and reports we spotlight cover the following topics: attaining sustainable growth through corporate social responsibility; CRS’ emergence as a crucial instrument for minimizing conflicts with stakeholder; the impact on proactive policies on employees, consumers and diversity and their relationship to the firm’s financial performance; the notion of a socially responsible corporation is potentially an oxymoron because of the naturally conflicted nature of the corporation, using corporate Social Responsibility to Understand the Credit Crisis; a look at whether the modern corporate governance model is sustainable; and the impact of political views on corporate decision-making and corporate social responsibility.
Justmeans is searching for a Conference and Events Business Development Associate to develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and sales plan and worldwide distribution strategy for one of our core technology products – The Event Connector.
Justmeans is recruiting a Social Enterprise Fellow to work out of their Pune, India office. The fellow will, among other things: Develop and scale our research team; develop a business strategy for Justmeans expansion into Asia in the first two quarters of 2010; work with one of our partners to launch an annual conference on sustainable development in India; work with our CEO, Martin Smith, to identify and secure founding academic and corporate partners for the launch of
Justmeans Asia; work with Ashoka Fellow and COO Kevin Long to develop an appropriate mobile technology strategy for India and beyond
Justmeans is recruiting a cohort of CSR and Social Media Summer Interns for the summer of 2009. Applicants should be enrolled in, or have just completed an MBA program and have an interest in sustainability, social enterprise, corporate social responsibility and responsible investing.
