Corporate responsibility is considered an oxymoron by much of society. Corporations are among the least trusted of our institutions; and the 2008 financial crisis, BP's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and the collapse of the house of cards that was Enron have only added to public skepticism. So, at a time when trust in corporations has reached an all-time low, why is interest in corporate responsibility at an all-time high? Skeptics may argue that corporate responsibility is merely a smokescreen to mask misdeeds. A more plausible explanation is that increasing numbers of stakeholders are demanding responsibility from corporations. Hyper-transparency of corporate activities, fueled by disclosure laws and the Internet, has increased awareness to the point where corporate behavior is under constant scrutiny. Smart business leaders are aware of this scrutiny and of the high costs of a public scandal. They know that in the long run it is cheaper to act responsibly now than to dig out from a PR disaster later. Smart businesses need smart people. Tim Mohin is a self-declared "treehugger." But he is also a veteran corporate responsibility practitioner who has led programs at Apple, Intel, and AMD. In this book, Tim tells us why he believes he is making a difference where it counts and how others can do the same. His book is a manual on how to steer the corporate supertanker toward doing good for people and our planet. Changing Business from the Inside Out provides a fascinating roadmap to the corporate responsibility and sustainability field, from beginning a career, to forming a program, to navigating the complicated politics of being the "designated driver" within a corporate structure. Throughout his book, Tim Mohin argues strongly that activists can accomplish more for the planet and society by serving as a voice of responsibility within the corporation rather than waving placards outside the factory gates. Corporations are clearly the drivers of the world economy, and the corporate responsibility practitioner has an essential role in bringing ethical and sustainable values to the C-suite and making sure that they are monitored, adhered to, and developed. Whether you are a practitioner needing advice or wanting to change course, or an MBA considering corporate responsibility as a career or wondering whether your values can survive the corporate world, this book has all of the answers you need.
Introduction: The Case for Corporate Responsibility 1. The Department of Good Works 2. Skills for Success in Corporate Responsibility 3. Setting the Strategy 4. Running a Data-Driven Program 5. Environmental Sustainability 6. Supplier Responsibility Part 1: Establishing the Program 7. Supplier Responsibility Part 2: The Four Essential Program Elements 8. Communicate! Part 1: Talking about Corporate Responsibility 9. Communicate! Part 2: The Corporate Responsibility Report and Beyond 10. Stakeholders and Investors 11. Employee Engagement 12. Diversity, Governance and Ethics 13. Recognition, Awards and Rankings 14. Match your Passion to your Profession Notes