US State Department: Advancing Entrepreneurship Through Social Responsibility

It’s encouraging to see leadership agencies advocate corporate shift to a more holistic view of the business ecosystem. It’s more particular to note that this article/speech stems from the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. Economists are not always the first to promote a “full circle” perspective of business, though they certainly are not the last.

In addition to promoting CSR, triple bottom line, and other aspects of good corporate governance, the speech points out noted companies for their excellence in CSR, namely TOMS Shoes. As an add-on, Patagonia’s corporate ethos treads well in the TBL space as a company that exemplifies green, corporate governance, and stated profits.

What can current, emerging, and future entrepreneurs take away? Think dynamically about your business and how all aspects of your business are integrated. Business decision impacts have broad implications: What can the entrepreneur manage? Which are risks? Which are opportunities? Make sure the entrepreneurial viewpoint is dimensional, as profits appear to be increasingly circular and far-reaching as opposed to linear and finite.

Filed under: Challenges, ESG, Governance, Innovation, Social Entrepreneurs

Singapore Stock Exchange Issues Guidelines for Sustainability Reporting

Everyone’s cheering! (Except, perhaps company CFO’s.) Singapore Exchange issues sustainability reporting guidelines.

ESG metrics and reporting have been steadily developing through a dialogue between investors and company management. Standardization and measurement are the greatest challenge to moving ESG reporting forward. However, the disclosure of ESG metrics is becoming material to investors as evidenced by the move by SGX. As the post by PPP suggests, it is likely ESG reporting will become a requirement.

Filed under: Challenges, ESG, Governance

Governance is Key to Success

Effective governance is equally important to public non-profits as it is to private foundations. Establishing successful practices of management and governance can lend credibility as well as attract more investment and grants to the social program and mission. Grant makers often have requirements that impact program management, conversely, many recipients need the flexibility that comes with autonomy within their operations. Here, Gordon Campbell, President and CEO of United Way of NYC, offers a framework they have created to address these issues. What a great take-away.

Filed under: Challenges, Governance