I had the pleasure of attending the 2014 BSR Conference last week, and was blown away by the number of interesting, thought-provoking speakers the event featured. There were many inspirational moments during the three days of convening, and so I thought I’d share my top 5 quotes from the conference. These comments not only sum up some of the key themes that ran through the entire event, but are also great food for thought for the GlobeScan nexus of brand, … “BSR 2014: Five Quotes to Make You Think”
Search Results for:
Segmenting the Market Using the 2014 Greendex Data This is the second in a series of four short articles that examine the potential for more sustainable consumer behavior within the food category. We draw on our recently published Greendex 2014 study of consumers in 18 countries, conducted with National Geographic, to mine for insights to help governments, companies and NGOs unlock further change. Our first installation of the series described the “Moveable Masses” segment, largest of the five groups that our … “Changing Food Habits: Motivated Greens Greendex Segment”
In my last blog, I argued that publishing sustainability reports does not equal stakeholder engagement, and that reporting is instead an important preparatory step towards stakeholder engagement. In this blog, I wanted to share some good news for reporters and sustainability communicators who are keen to engage with their stakeholders. Our data shows that, despite traditionally low levels of trust in companies, there is a growing number of the general public who want to engage with companies. GlobeScan, in collaboration … “Aspirationals: “Engage and collaborate with us!””
For the past six years, GlobeScan has partnered with BSR in conducting the annual State of Sustainable Business survey. This survey gleans insights from professionals within BSR member organizations on emerging trends, priorities, and practices across a range of environmental, social, and governance issues. In 2014, for the first time, some of the survey questions were extended to undergraduate and MBA members of Net Impact (read the report). The goal was to measure the ways that current and future sustainability leaders view … “State of Sustainable Business – Perspectives from Current and Future Sustainability Leaders”
Full Report of the BSR/GlobeScan/Net Impact State of Sustainable Business Survey – Perspectives from Current and Future Leaders.
A Study on Sustainability Trends & Business Priorities SAN FRANCISCO, USA – 6 November 2014 – BSR (Business for Social Responsibility), GlobeScan, and Net Impact have jointly released a new industry study which reveals how current and future leaders view the state of sustainable business, including some notable similarities, differences, and emerging trends. Overall, there is remarkable alignment between the perspectives of current and future leaders on the state of sustainable business. Results suggest that prospective business professionals are fairly realistic about the challenges that current sustainability … “Comparing the Perspectives of Current and Future Sustainability Leaders”
After touching on the relationship between brands and consumers on Day One, Day Two of the Sustainable Brands conference in London offered a wealth of insights and real life experiences in how to embed sustainability into an organisation. Three “must-do’s” stood out for me: First, embedding sustainability starts with identifying a corporate purpose and a set of values which will guide how employees behave as individuals, and collectively. David Wheldon, Head of Brand, Reputation and Citizenship at Barclays Group shared his … “Sustainability Starts From Within: 3 Key Takeaways from Day Two at Sustainable Brands London 2014”
Three themes stood out for me in the midst of all the great presentations and discussions on the first day of the Sustainable Brands conference in London. First, we kept hearing about shifts in the relationship between brands and consumers and the opportunities that are opening up for marketers. James Goodman (Forum for the Future) reflected that brands need sustainability and that the relationship with consumers is moving from the linear to the circular. There’s also increasing complexity in channels of influence, … “Opportunities to Reimagine Brand Purpose: 3 Key Takeaways from Day One at Sustainable Brands London 2014”
Our annual State of Sustainable Business Survey, conducted with BSR, again provides important insights into the priorities, perceptions and challenges being faced by businesses and the sustainability professionals who work within them. The infographic below highlights just a few of the key findings from this year’s survey. We see that transparency is both a significant challenge for business, but also a highly important tool in helping to improve continuing low levels of public trust in business. This year we also point the … “Infographic on the State of Sustainable Business”
In early October, some 200 experts met in Berlin to discuss the future of sustainability reporting during the 2nd annual conference of the Reporting 3.0 platform. The statement above set the stage for the first of three discussions around the theme of stakeholder engagement. During my opening remarks I made the case that the premise was missing the point and that it is actually not the reports, but the reporters themselves that do not cut it. They need to change … “Sustainability Reports Don’t Cut It, Or…”
GlobeScan is an independent, employee-owned insights consultancy whose mission is to help co-create a more sustainable and equitable future. We work with large companies, NGOs and multi-lateral organizations to help them better understand and respond to stakeholder expectations and societal issues.
The only way we can do this effectively is through the generous participation of our expert community in our research projects. In return, we will share exclusive reports, invite you to interesting webinars and make donations to One Tree Planted, a leading reforestation charity.
Are you interested in our work? To get involved join our expert community where your opinions will help shape the direction of some of the most influential organizations in the world.
Full Report of the BSR/GlobeScan State of Sustainable Business Poll 2014, released at the BSR Conference 2014.
I had the honour to moderate an insightful and inspiring webinar on October 27 with three diverse and remarkable thinkers, all of whom have recently published excellent books on the topic of enlightened business leadership: Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman of the Foundation for the UN Global Compact and former Chairman of Shell and Anglo American, and author of Responsible Leadership: Lessons from the Front Line of Sustainability and Ethics. Christine Bader, a visiting scholar at Columbia University,former policy manager at … “On the Front Lines of Progressive Leadership: Lessons Learned for Shared Success”
As Fairtrade celebrates its 20th anniversary this month, what does the future look like in the hands of the generation who have grown up with Fairtrade? What is Generation Fairtrade? Generation Fairtrade represents a future cohort of citizens and consumers that have never known a world without Fairtrade and the eco-label movement that Fairtrade sparked. They are used to seeing the Fairtrade mark on mainstream products from Cadbury Dairy Milk to Nestle Kit Kats, from Starbucks lattes to Sainsbury’s basic … “Generation Fairtrade: Looking to the Future”
Matthew Kirk is the Group External Affairs Director for Vodafone. Matthew was appointed to his current position and joined the Executive Committee in 2009 after joining Vodafone in 2006. Prior to that, he was a member of the British Diplomatic Service for more than 20 years, and held a number of positions in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Cabinet Office in London. Prior to joining Vodafone Matthew served as Ambassador to Finland. GlobeScan co-CEO Christophe Guibeleguiet recently interviewed Matthew … “Recognizing Leaders: Matthew Kirk, Vodafone”
Sustainable consumer behavior has improved only incrementally, and remains stagnant or has become less sustainable in areas such as transportation, housing and consumer goods, according to the 2014 Greendex survey. Let’s examine some ways that consumers can change their behavior to increase their sustainable consumption. The fifth edition of this Greendex survey detects increasing concern about the environment, together with increasing awareness of human activity as the cause for climate change coupled with growing concern about how a changing climate will worsen people’s … “5 Ways to Whet Consumers’ Appetites for Sustainability”
Segmenting the Market Using the 2014 Greendex Data Welcome to the first of a series of four short articles that examine the potential for more sustainable consumer behavior within the food category. We draw on our recently published Greendex 2014 study of consumers in 18 countries, conducted with National Geographic, to mine for insights to help governments, companies and NGOs unlock further change. Find After launching the 2014 Greendex at the Sustainable Brands New Metrics conference, we are kicking off … “Changing Food Habits: Moveable Masses Greendex Segment”
LONDON, UK – 11 October 2014 – UK teenagers are not the apathetic, self-interested generation they’re often portrayed as – they care about global issues, want businesses to act more ethically, and are willing to take action to bring about change, according to a survey1 commissioned by the Fairtrade Foundation. Dubbed ‘Generation Fairtrade’ – because they have grown up with the FAIRTRADE Mark, which turns 20 this week – more than eight in 10 of the UK teens surveyed (82%) said … “‘Generation Fairtrade’: UK Teens Care About Ethics, Want Businesses To Act More Responsibly”
Presentation slides used at the Sustainable Brands New Metrics conference launch of the 2014 National Geographic/GlobeScan Greendex Study.
On September 26th, National Geographic’s Chief Science and Exploration Officer, Terry Garcia, and I were in Boston MA to publish the 2014 Greendex survey on the status of sustainable consumption across 18 countries, the fifth edition of this National Geographic / GlobeScan collaboration. If you are unfamiliar with it, the Greendex is a composite measure of sustainable (or not) consumer behavior consisting of 65 different types of choices and behaviors analyzed and tracked across four sub-indexes. Quite aptly, we chose … “New Metrics on Consumer Behavior Change”
Niels Christiansen is an independent writer, speaker, and corporate advisor who invented the term Creating Shared Value (CSV) as a fundamental principal of business management. Working with Nestle Chairman and CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, he was the architect for the practical implementation of CSV for the 330,000 Nestle employees. GlobeScan CEO Chris Coulter recently interviewed Niels to gain insight on the value he puts on stakeholder intelligence to help build recognized leadership in an uncertain world. What has changed in corporate public affairs … “GlobeScan Dialogue: Recognizing Leaders | Niels Christiansen, Creating Shared Value Advisors”
We leverage the largest network of sustainability professionals in the world to produce resources that provide leaders with the inspiration, insight and counsel they need to fully embrace the opportunities and challenges of our world. See how we can support your work.
GlobeScan is a certified B Corporation, which means we meet the highest standards of overall social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability and aspire to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.
Introducing the first GlobeScan Foundation Hope Index, reflecting the degree to which 12,000 citizens across 12 countries express optimism on current trends and hope for Humanity’s future.
Whether it is the triumph of an underdog, the toppling of an oppressive force or the achievement of the seemingly impossible, stories of hope tug at our sentimental heartstrings and engender a sense of empowerment within our own lives. This feeling of empowerment is not purely superficial. Hope fundamentally alters our cognitive architecture to breed productivity and progress. Just as the Consumer Confidence Index operates as a predictor of our economic future, the GlobeScan Foundation believes that hope can act … “Why We Need a Hope Index”
Download the Full Report (PDF) 29 September 2014 – A majority of citizens (59%) in a 12-country public opinion poll believe “the social, environmental and economic challenges the world faces today are more difficult than the ones we have faced in human history.” Only one in four (25%) believe our challenges are less difficult. In spite of this, a similar majority (63%) believe that “humanity will find a way to overcome our current challenges.” However, almost a third of citizens (31%) … “Hope Prevails In Spite of the Magnitude of Humanity’s Challenges: Global Poll”
Segmentation infographics based on finding from the 2014 National Geographic / GlobeScan Greendex: an international research approach to measure and monitor consumer progress towards environmentally sustainable consumption.