5 Steps to Developing a Successful Corporate Philanthropy Program Through my work, working with firms looking to develop “CSR” programs in China, more often than not the conversations I have revolved around donating money. For many firms, even those experienced in philanthropy, China can be a difficult place. The groups who are able to accept [...]

Last year, Jack Ma said in an interview with Charlie Rose that the biggest business opportunities (in China) would be those that fix China’s problems, and if you have been following IBM in china they are clearly showing an interest. going back 3 years ago, IBM began working with the city of Shenyang to monitor [...]

Business leaders have today warned financial short-termism is continuing to prevent companies from becoming more sustainable. A global survey of 642 senior executives, campaigners and academics conducted by consultancies GlobeScan and SustainAbility found 88 per cent of respondents regard pressure to deliver immediate financial results remains a significant barrier to firms’ sustainability efforts. This is [...]

No doubt you have all by now heard about the NY times piece that has catalyzed a (global) discussion on Apple’s sense of responsibility. It is a discussion that has taken place in many forms, and with many angles, but in rereading the piece I found two paragraphs that were most interesting to me. Some [...]

For social entrepreneurs, or socially minded entrepreneurs, maintaining a focus on excellence and impact should be paramount. At times, maintaining that focus is difficult .. and tiring .. and it’s my hope that this clip helps those of you who are looking for a bit of inspiration (and focus).

There can be fewer examples of an “open secret” in China than the worsening air quality levels in China’s major cities. For a period, this “open secret” was one that was acceptable by all because of the promise of better days, but following the Beijing Olympics and Shanghai EXPO the air has only grown worse [...]

In the recent entry What really drives value in corporate responsibility? , CB Bhattacharya, Daniel Korschun, and Sankar Sen call into the question the value of CSR programs to the firm, and make three suggestions of how firms can get back on track. It was an article that for me started off quite well, and [...]

An interesting conversation between my wife and my recently fired nanny provided an anecdotal insight into the depths of ethics, and the value of ethics, in China. Wife: “so why did your son left his last job?” Nanny “the company is a mess, my son managed quality inspection for car parts and his manager just [...]

For the last three years, I have been fortunate to be working at the China Europe International Business school as an Adjunct Professor of Sustainability and Responsible Leadership. In this time I have facilitated a course that over 600 students have been required to take, and why it is different (and so much fun) is [...]

If the first step towards recovery is admitting that you have a problem, then readers will agree that Apple taking the time to meet with several of China’s most prominent Green NGOs was a first step for Apple. Particularly given the fact that Apple was largely unwilling to address the numerous labor and environmental failures [...]