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Recession or Not, Companies Maintain Corporate Responsibility
In a panel discussion hosted by the Simmons School of Management and moderated by Associate Professor Sylvia Maxfield, four corporate leaders in social responsibility concluded that despite the economic downturn, sustainability efforts are alive and more important than ever.
“The global financial crisis has presented us with an incredible opportunity,” said Daniel Bross, senior director of corporate citizenship at Microsoft and Visiting Professor of Practice at the School of Management. “Right now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for companies who are truly passionate about sustainability and corporate social responsibility to take action and differentiate themselves.”
Joining Bross at the July 20 event at Simmons College were Carol Cone, founder and chairman of Cone, Inc., a Boston strategy and communications agency, and member of the School of Management’s Business Advisory Council; Christopher Lloyd, executive director of public policy and corporate responsibility at Verizon Communications, Inc.; and David Newman, director of sustainability at Mass.-based Millipore Corporation.
The panel covered a variety of topics related to corporate social responsibility (CSR), including what individual companies are doing to maintain and improve their sustainability programs in the current economic climate. Panelists discussed aiming for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, working on energy efficiency, and offering accessibility tools to those with disabilities.
“CSR is absolutely critical within your company and your consumers,” said Cone. “It’s about acting responsibly in business—not just writing a check.”
This was the fourth annual CSR panel co-sponsored by the School of Management and its Net Impact chapter. The CSR panel is supported by gifts from EILEEN FISHER Inc., and from the SOM MBA Class of 2008. Net Impact is a nationwide organization of business professionals focusing on the role of business in addressing social and environmental issues. The annual CSR panel is central to the School of Management’s Principled Leadership Initiative.
Click here to listen to the panel discussion.