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Clinton In the Harvard Business Review magazine of September 2009, several articles related to social responsibility are present; Among them, one written by Bill Clinton stands out, where he talks about the future of business and its need to look after communities and the environment, not as charity but as a strategy. Below I present the free translation of this article: Creating value in a crisis economy In the wake of some recent stock market rallies, it appears consumer confidence is slowly recovering from its lowest point in decades. But it will take much more than a few good days on Wall Street to restore people's faith in the positive forces of free markets and globalization. A recent Harris Poll shows that nine in 10 Americans now view corporations in a bad light. As we prepare for the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative , which I launched in 2005, we are focused on helping companies find ways to create value for shareholders and society. By doing so, they can regain public trust, essential to the long-term success of the business. The belief that companies must choose between doing good and being profitable is outdated; They increasingly understand that their responsibility to investors means being responsible to the society and environment in which they operate. Today, several of them are taking advantage of their core business to “do well by doing good.
” Even in this economic downturn, businesses are Phone Number List well positioned to help people and communities, and they can make money or save what they do. I call on CEOs everywhere to embrace this concept as their own and apply it to their operations. Just as information technology exploded in the 1990s, green technology is set to be the next fastest growing sector. Renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, ecological design, eco-construction, greater efficiency in lighting and electronics, smart grids and cleaner transportation are all markets that promise to generate jobs and profits globally. Companies are also going green by producing and packaging the products they sell with increasingly fewer materials and recycled content, which conserves natural resources, reduces shipping costs, and avoids carbon emissions. By investing in community growth and well-being, the company empowers its customers and creates a stronger brand with greater loyalty. It is what can withstand economic crises, guarantee greater long-term profits, and attract more investors. This is especially true in emerging markets, where rapid growth is closing the gap between old "charity" and smart investing. Finer Kent, CEO of Coca-Cola, is helping to carry this load. His distribution system in Africa is an example of an innovative business solution that benefits both the company and entrepreneurs in underserved markets.
The program allows independent entrepreneurs, including a growing number of women, to create distribution centers on behalf of the company. This model helps Coca-Cola secure hard-to-reach markets while supporting job creation in those communities. To date, Coca-Cola has created 2,500 independent distribution companies across Africa, providing direct employment to more than 11,000 people and generating more than $500 million in annual revenue. In West Africa, Archer Daniels Midland partnered with local cocoa farmers and cooperatives to provide support and education in areas ranging from agronomy to business management to HIV/AIDS prevention. Beyond producing considerable benefits for local farmers and their communities – improved health, increased income and job creation – the collaboration ensures ADM a sustainable supply of high-quality cocoa beans to its customers into the future. In the United States, where ADM transports millions of tons of crops and finished products through inland waterways, the company dedicates part of its funds to important cleanup efforts in these waterways and encourages employees to get directly involved as volunteers.
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發表於 2024-3-9 12:02:31