Month of February , 2008

Turning bright environment ideas into core business practices requires the right governance strategy

In today's corporate environment, sustainability is climbing to the top of priority lists everywhere. And we are seeing the benefits: Products are more energy-efficient, companies are reducing carbon footprints and there is a renewed focus on recycling. Annual budgets are developing line items for these important efforts. In short, the future of sustainability is more exciting than ever.

Companies should fine-tune internal probes to make investigation more asset than liability

In litigating whistleblower retaliation claims, we have found that poorly conducted internal investigations can be extraordinarily helpful to plaintiffs and harmful to employers. In particular, investigations that are intended to discredit the concerned employee or cover up wrongdoing to protect the accused will, at a minimum, deprive the employer of an affirmative defense and can also provide circumstantial evidence of retaliatory intent. Employers, however, can take fairly simple measures to prevent an investigation from becoming more of a liability than an asset. Following are five tips for conducting an effective internal investigation.

Takeaway from progressive practices initially small, but can be material over long haul

Companies rarely act on new initiatives without first knowing the so-called “business case.” Corporate responsibility must similarly factor in. The effects of corporate responsibility on profitability—the real bottom line—differ from company to company based on a number of considerations, not the least of which are size, market penetration and reach, and reputation. Another factor is the firm’s approach to corporate responsibility, ranging from very strategic or incremental on certain issues to systemic and cross-functional in scope. Yet, except for small companies whose strategic decisions and financial performance are guided by a clear set of values, chances are the CR business case is either too small or likely to take too long to have a material effect to compete with more immediate ways of generating revenue or cutting costs.

Companies took ‘road less traveled by’ well before they could name the route

Corporate social responsibility (CSR)—the term used to describe a company’s societal duties to a wide range of stakeholders—suffers from a lack of imagination. Those who view it as a defensive strategy with little or no impact on the bottom line create arguments that try to compartmentalize the topic and ignore the broader context of the changes taking place in corporations. On the other hand, those who promote CSR are characterized as ideological zealots focused on a singular aspect of a company’s actions.

Executive support, planning and technology key to overhauling GRC design

Most economists are predicting a recession in the United States in the near future; some think we’re already in one. Concerns over energy prices, unrest in the Middle East, and even the current crisis in financial services all harken back to the late ’80s and early ’90s, which was the last time many believe we experienced a full recession. Coinci­dentally, there was also a Bush in the White House, a leading Democratic candidate named Clinton, and a new “Rambo” movie hitting theaters at that time. But while some interesting parallels between then and now may exist, there’s no question that the world has changed dramatically.

Founder also launches Volans Ventures, two firms to collaborate

SustainAbility plans to open an office in India and also will begin collaborating with Volans Ventures, a new initiative of SustainAbility founder and Chief Entrepreneur John Elkington.

Financial firms cited for their corporate-community partnerships

The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy recognized the philanthropic efforts of two financial services firms, the PNC Financial Services Group and Moody’s, as part of CECP’s National Corporate Philanthropy Day Feb. 25.

In the dog-eat-dog world of competing corporate reputations, one tool has stood the test of time: the PR firm. And nowhere is good PR help more valuable than in the compliance-governance-and- sustainability-dominated Corporate Responsibility market. Here’s CRO’s Top 10 PR Firms in Corporate Responsibility 2008. But don’t jump right to the list. First, you’ve got to read about the tragically ironic thing that happened on the way to the final rankings.

Company says it is cooperating fully in remaining investigations

Hewlett-Packard Co. confirmed that it recently settled lawsuits brought by the New York Times and Business Week that grew out of HP’s improper boardroom leaks investigation, which employed fraudulent means to obtain journalists’ phone records.

SEC website visitors can compare executive compensations with help of new computer language coding