In This Issue
Editor's Note
Sustainability Leadership in Manufacturing
The global manufacturing sector has suffered persistent volatility, but the industry is now cautiously optimistic about growth. And while the potential is significant, it requires a clear focus on long-term trends.
This week, Raj Sapru, who leads our manufacturing practice, argues that to sustain this growth potential, leaders must question traditional assumptions and listen to the “weak signals” that will point to those long-term trends. He outlines three key trends and explains how to lead by listening.
Related to leadership, we also look at corporate governance this week—in the form of a new coalition promoting more women on corporate boards and a new survey that suggests CSR can help companies engage with local communities and retain talented employees.
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In Depth
Sustainability Leadership in Manufacturing
By
The manufacturing sector is at an inflection point—growth potential is big, but achieving that requires anticipation of long-term trends. Here are three trends to watch and advice on how to listen for future signals.
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On the Record
Increasing Gender Diversity in the Boardroom
A new group of institutional investors, governance experts, and executives from U.S.-based companies including Campbell Soup and the Hopgood Group launched the 30% Coalition last week to promote the idea of securing a minimum of 30 percent women on Fortune 500 company boards by the end of 2015.
Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane, president of InterOrganization Network, the nonprofit organization that is leading the group, said “progress has come to a halt” in diversifying corporate boards.
According to Catalyst’s 2011 census of Fortune 500 companies, women held just 16.1 percent of board seats in 2011, compared to 15.7 percent in 2010.
“We have a historical system in the United States, wherein the same men are constantly recycled into board positions. Further, there is the thinking that board members have to be sitting or retired CEOs. If a board is diverse in experience and qualifications, we [should] have a large selection of qualified women to fill those slots.”
—Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane, president, InterOrganization Network (February 23, 2012)
Toolbox
Using CSR to Grow Locally, Mind the Talent Gap
At a time when global economies are sputtering, sustainability is a key issue for global business leaders, according to the 15th Annual Global CEO Survey from PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The report indicated that a majority of CEOs recognize sustainable business growth requires working closely with local populations, governments, and business partners, and investing in local communities.
Specifically, more than 60 percent of CEOs said they planned to create job-training programs, help manage resource constraints, or contribute to health solutions in local communities over the next three years.
More than 50 percent of participating CEOs also expressed concern about recruiting and retaining high-potential middle managers, and building more diverse leadership teams. Respondents suggested that once new employees have been recruited, companies planned to use corporate responsibility as a lever to keep them engaged, satisfied, and productive.
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