tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004054568791616577.post9210790893836762475..comments2024-03-15T15:43:44.292+01:00Comments on Random Comments: HBR Case Study; Should Sustainability Have a Seat in the C-Suite?Daniel Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018311656329333870noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004054568791616577.post-23084062761227246872011-01-12T20:10:48.699+01:002011-01-12T20:10:48.699+01:00I too agree that a broader enterprise-wide perspec...I too agree that a broader enterprise-wide perspective of sustainability is required; much of my work with corporations emphasizes adoption of a holistic sustainability vision that integrates economic sustainability and value creation, governance, ethics, leadership, and innovation, as well as the usual environmental and social aspects.<br /><br />Thanks for adding more depth to the conversation arising out of the HBR case study!<br /><br />Regards,<br />Celesa HorvathCelesa Horvathhttp://www.makingsenseofresponsibility.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004054568791616577.post-423777756142135862010-10-16T17:27:10.978+02:002010-10-16T17:27:10.978+02:00Pete,
Very interesting comments. I like the 6 pri...Pete,<br /><br />Very interesting comments. I like the 6 principles. I can see a wonderful structure of consideration of sustainability from a number of perspectives - and yes, as contributing to the C-suite's common language and commitment to sustainability.Daniel Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01018311656329333870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004054568791616577.post-79631751903340870692010-10-15T14:48:05.719+02:002010-10-15T14:48:05.719+02:00FWIW, the following was posted as a comment to the...FWIW, the following was posted as a comment to the HBR blog:<br /><br />Celesa Horvath's assertion, below, that " 'sustainability' is at once well-defined ... and poorly understood," is correct, except that "well-defined," in this instance, means "too narrowly defined."<br /><br />Consider the following from an October 5th NY Times article, titled "At Flagging Tribune, Tales of a Bankrupt Culture", about Sam Zell's takeover of one of the US's major media empires: "Mr. Zell has acknowledged that the deal has not turned out how he hoped. But noting a recent upturn in results, he said through a spokesman, 'Tribune has made significant strides in becoming a current, competitive and _sustainable_ media company.' "<br /><br />Whatever Mr. Zell's iniquities regarding Tribune Company, his concept of "sustainability" is what is perceived by at least 9-out-of-10 C-suites. Sustainability as strictly "bein' green", "social responsibility", "the triple bottom line", etc. is and will be pursued by but a tiny corporate cohort indeed, a fair portion of which will just be doing "greenwashing."<br /><br />How about considering "sustainability" as debated by the folks at Narinex, above, in a broader "enterprise sustainability" context, comprised of six principles:<br /><br />* Sustainable Financial Growth - Using Sustainable Growth Analysis, financial and operating leverage, equity accumulation, and asset utilization are managed to project revenue growth objectives;<br /><br />* Enterprise Economic Sustainability - Growth impacts of each product/service market and of the economy as a whole are understood;<br /><br />* Sustainable Competitive Advantage - Distinctive competencies are cultivated and resources combined in hard-to-duplicate ways to create uniquely value-added products/services;<br /><br />* Logistic 'Sustainment' (a military term) - Products/services are deployed in ways that maintain adequate capacity, speedy time-to-market, & efficient supply chain use.<br /><br />* Sustainable Stewardship ... exercised over the complete life-cycle and impact of every product/service;<br /><br />* Sustainable Business Philosophy - Mission defined in terms of an (Aristotelian) "golden mean" between "excess" and "deficit."<br /><br />Just a suggestion that might give sustainability a better chance of surviving in the C-suite.<br /><br />Pete Haynsworth<br />EnterpriseSustainability.comPete Haynsworthhttp://enterprisesustainability.comnoreply@blogger.com