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Building business success through an innovative and responsible culture
Written by Jim Ormond   
Wednesday, 30 April 2008

“Companies that are breaking the mould are moving beyond CSR to social innovation.  These companies are the vanguard of the new paradigm.  They view community needs as opportunities to develop ideas and demonstrate business technologies, to find and serve new markets, and to solve longstanding business problems.”

 

(Rosabeth Moss Kanter: Harvard Business Review.)

 

Building business success through an innovative and responsible culture

 

In the 21st century & beyond, can business survive without being responsible?

 

“Companies that are breaking the mould are moving beyond CSR to social innovation.  These companies are the vanguard of the new paradigm.  They view community needs as opportunities to develop ideas and demonstrate business technologies, to find and serve new markets, and to solve longstanding business problems.”

 

(Rosabeth Moss Kanter: Harvard Business Review.)

 

 

A profound and exciting shift is happening in the corporate world and its relationship with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the most innovative and flexible companies are embracing the change.

 

Historically, CSR or Business Responsibility (BR) have been separate divisions within companies.  Environmental and social responsibility have been well-intentioned add-ons if profit margins allow.

 

However, companies are now recognising that to be competitive, to stay ahead of the game, ethical, social and environmental issues have to be aligned with commercial imperatives.  They need to become a central part of business strategy and it is only through social innovation that this can take place

 

 

Why?  Because if the world’s economy is changing, with threats of recession; if the world’s resources are threatened to be depleted, if society and our share holders are scrutinising our ethics more than ever before; organisations can not afford to be self serving and introspective. As Kanter states, the wider needs of communities and the world represent exciting opportunities; to develop new ideas and apply new technologies, to define and serve new markets

 

The ‘right (and responsible) thing to do’ is increasingly being seen as the ‘best way to do business.’

 Profit and business ethics are no longer now mutually exclusive. Good governance is no longer optional.

 

Social Innovation is the key.

 

 

 

 

The wider social, environmental questions have invaded the boardroom because their present and future success demands it. They’re a moral imperative, both personally and corporately.

 

(Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick, International Director for BR

& Corporate Citizenship with KPMG)

 

There are many courses on understanding Business Responsibility and good governance.

 

There are many courses on effective, value led, innovative and creative leadership. 

 

If your organisation is to remain competitive, you are going to need both.

 

What our masterclass will achieve

 

How do you reposition your organisation to embrace this new model?  How can you inspire your people to deliver the innovation that is both ethically sound and commercially viable?  Our unique master-class has been designed to help you affect just the kind of change needed.

 

Our Master-class will combine the power of transformative leadership and a deep understanding of the issues of governance, business responsibility, accountability and its link to bottom line profits and innovation.

 

We believe that before there can be Social Innovation within an organisation on a macro level, there needs to be a culture of Self Responsibility on an individual, micro level.

 

This ‘Self Responsibility’ needs to be embraced by the leadership team so the core values of transparency, authenticity and ethical business responsibility can cascade down throughout the workforce. 

 

 

Our Master Class will allow leaders to draw on their own inner and collective resources, to work as a team and inspire employees to deliver value generating, socially aware products, processes and services.

 

 Our Master Class will help leaders become a powerful conduit for change within their organisations.  They will be invited to become leaders of integrity with powerful intrapersonal and interpersonal and innovative skills; for the good of themselves, their teams, their organisations and the world.

 

Our uniquely skilled and experienced facilitators will help leaders combine financial and commercial astuteness with the ability to see social, ethical, environmental opportunities and risks.  Not only that, but they will learn how to tap into and harness the values, ideas and extraordinary vision of those they lead.

 

These leadership skills are no longer merely, ‘nice to have,’ but fundamental in our ever changing world.

‘A creative leader sees the vision, communicates its possibilities, believes its achievements, inspires others to contribute their best and motivates others to dream too.’  (David Goleman, Executive EQ)

  

Social Innovation at work

 

BT: British Telecom

Accountable, transparent leadership. Every week Ben Verwaayen, CEO of B.T, allows a few hours open forum to hear from any member of his staff via the intranet.  Nothing is taboo; no un-askable questions, ideas or queries.  Everything is replied to; a powerful initiative that has made BT win countless award for being one of the most popular employers.

 

HSBC

Inspired and creative leadership that realises that if you want to innovate, you have to bring your workforce with you.  HSBC’s leaders wanted to develop their new Global Environmental Efficiency Programme (GEEP). They wanted to reduce the bank’s impact on the environment, through a series of initiatives, including the introduction of renewable energy technology, water and waste reduction programmes and employee engagement.

  

To achieve this, they powerfully harnessed the creativity and innovation of their workforce.  They consulted branches across the world, and took ideas from every sector and all levels of the organisation.  People who were passionate about the subject were invited to become part of the planning stage.  They made sure people at all levels recognised its’ importance.  They celebrated the different pilots; including their business in Rome that became carbon neutral through the initiatives of the local workforce.  The pilots were so successful that they are committing £45 million over five years and they have achieved a Gold rating in the, ‘Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design Award.

 

02

‘Motivating and inspiring leadership’, like 02s groundbreaking initiative called, “It’s your Community.”

 

The scheme gives employees direct access to funding for projects they want to develop to bring positive change to their local communities. All of the 400 O2 retail outlets have signed up to it.  Projects as various and inspiring as: creating community gardens, supporting youth groups and even developing a Circus School in an impoverished community in South Wales.   02 employees are not just expected to create the initiative, but also support it practically within their office hours.

 

The scheme is a great example of leaders believing in and harnessing the innovation of their staff.  It creates ownership and a sense of pride within the work-force; it helps employees feel part of the community they belong to and also gives 02 unbeatable PR for the communities they are working within.  02 has become part of the community, therefore profit has increased.

 

 

If you are interested and want to find out more please call:

Neela Bettridge on 02088404450

or visit www.article13.com

 

 
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