Fundamentally

Sustainability - are we missing a trick?

Most models of sustainability consider the dynamic relationship between: industry, society and environment; very few explore the position, role and responsibility of government.

I argue that the dynamic is between: industry, society and government working in a mutually reinforcing and supportive way - and living in the environment as an integral part of it. 

A simple recycle model is developed which moves on from that of the 19th century: extract, process and pollute.

For the full paper, please click on Download A Model For Sustainability

Is government doing its job?

Some time ago I asked about the purpose of government, and after some searching came up with "to protect the realm, improve the lives of those it represents and to do this in a democratic manner".

I argue that we have been let down on all fronts and offer a debate on what might be done to deliver on what I understand to be the purpose of those in Westminster.

Vince Cable's office made the following comment: "Thank you for your notes a lot of which I agree with.   I don't however agree with you about turning the Bank of England into a lending institution.  It has no competence in that area.  Since RBS, Lloyds etc are now nationalised that is their job."

DR VINCENT CABLE MP
Deputy Leader & Shadow Chancellor for the Liberal Democrats
MP for Twickenham, Teddington, Whitton & The Hamptons
2a Lion Road
Twickenham   TW1 4JQ
Tel: 020 8892 0215

 

For the discussion, please click on Download The purpose of government

The profit side of CSR

Too often Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is seen as simply a matter of compliance, not as a philosophy for increased profitability, or even a management approach that improves the sustainability of a company.

Over 40 years I have worked in major companies as employee and as a consultant. Drawing on (selected) experiences from those times I believe CSR can be shown to be highly profitable. Please take a look.

Download a_personal_journey_through_csr.pdf

Posted by Steve Mullins July 2008

Morals and Ethics

There is a lot of discussion and confusion about business morals and corporations operating in an ethical manner.

The commentators seem only too ready to criticise or to blame someone for not acting in an ethical manner, when in reality what should have been done is outwith that person or department's area of responsibility.

A simple way and very practical way to manage business ethics and morals is to define them separately and clearly:

Morals is the choice of right from wrong - illegal, against culture or against religious teachings

Ethics is the choice of right from right - long-term/short-term, competitive/co-operative etc. etc.

The attached note explores these definitions and offers thoughts as to why an ethical business in one country can become an immoral business in another.

See Download making_the_soft_stuff_pay.pdf  for the argument

Posted by Steve Mullins 30th October 2006

A Worrying Picture

Some time ago it occurred how little anaesthetic or narcotic is needed to make a profound change to a person's natural state changing mood or perception.

The Gaia concept treats the planet as an organism where, similarly, a small amount of pollutant for example can cause a profound shift in the normal state of things.

The attached photo has been created by Adam Nieman at the Science Photo Laboratory and shows just how little air it takes to keep the earth alive and hence how little pollutant is needed to change things.

If you should forward this photo the Science Photo Laboratory is to be acknowledged, thanks.

Download E055316-Global_air_volume-SPL.jpg

Posted by Steve Mullins

Another Worrying Picture

The Gaia concept by James Lovelock depicts the earth as an organism.

The attached photo by Adam Nieman at the Science Photo Library shows just how little water there is for it to swim in. If you wish to forward the photo the Science Photo Laboratory is to be acknowledged, thanks

Download E055313-Global_water_volume-SPL.jpg

Posted by Steve Mullins

Values empower, ideals can disempower

How many of us are trying to live up to someone else's ideals yet ignoring our personal values?

How many organisations have employed outside help to tell them what the market expects to then present this ideal to the market whilst the real corporate values are quite different, and to wonder why customers drift away? The organisation is trying to live a dream - an outsider's expectation, not be true to itself.

Values empower us, ideals disempower and may create dissent, pressure and insolence as displayed in the diagram attached.

The place of the PR agency and similar advisors should be relegated to expressing the real internal values properly, not providing the smoke and mirrors that no-one actually believes, and in the long term can do real damage.

Download values_vs_ideals.pdf

Posted by Steve Mullins

CSR rising in importance

New government guidelines are stipulating that 5% of the assessment of an NHS tender will now be based on the inclusion of an effective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy statement.

Previous work suggests that companies with clearly understood values might expect up to 18% improvement in profit compared to matched companies which do not have their values understood and lived by all in the organisation [see ‘Does Business Ethics pay’, IBE, April 2003, ISBN 0-9539517-3-1, Price £25, appendix 4]

With CSR moving up the government agenda companies should take a serious interest in CSR as a matter of urgency

For further information: www.pasa.nhs.uk/sustainabledevelopment

www.corporatecitizen.nhs.uk

Posted by Steve Mullins