Monday, January 18, 2010
Reputation Dynamics: Conscious Commerce Blog Facelift for 2010
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Happy New Year.
Reputation Dynamics: Conscious Commerce has a new look and redesign - now located at:
http://www.conscious-commerce.biz
We look forward to collaborations, continuing to share industry perspectives and best practices.
Please contact us for marketing, communications and corporate social responsibility advisory services support.
Sam Taylor
E: sam@reputation-dynamics.com
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Monday, December 21, 2009
Corporate Responsibility Rides Out the Recession - Investment in People and Training Key for 2010
Despite a difficult economic environment and companies cutting costs throughout their businesses, a surprising number of companies saw corporate responsibility as a priority and, in fact, are expanding their commitments.
According to a survey by Boston College's Center for Corporate Citizenship, corporate responsibility is here to stay, with half of companies surveyed believing it will 'become more critical to corporate reputation and business success.'
The US recovery is being influenced via a nationwide social, business and community rebuilding mobilization. Sustainability development and social responsibility is continuing to provide the foundation for infrastructure redevelopment, empowering employees, restoring trust and confidence in business.
The growth of ethical consumerism is also impacting reputation and stakeholder engagement, forcing companies to further align sustainable program development with business strategy and integration throughout their organizations.
In fact, according to a report issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers, more than half - 62 % - of consumers bought because they liked the social or political values of the company. Nearly half of Americans said protecting the environment should be given priority over economic growth….and comes in the midst of a recession.
To be sure, companies continue to evaluate their program costs, business priorities and many reduce sustainability investments. We are not out of the woods yet.
2010 Predictions from Founder of Reputation Dynamics, Sam Taylor:
According to a Climb the Green Ladder Survey, 80% say they are willing to take actions that support sustainability at work. Yet, only 1 in 10 say they have the training and knowledge they need to make their workplaces more sustainable.
- Attract, retain and motivate talent by creating sustainability champions: Train your workforce to innovate and advance sustainability solutions. Education is a catalyst that produces the entrepreneurs, technologists, thinkers, knowledge workers, teachers, and leaders who collectively make it possible for economies and individuals to prosper – and – create our future generation of leaders.
- Embrace the power of social media: Web 2.0 and collaborative technologies are transforming the work environment, business operations, delivery and transparency of corporate responsibility. Technological advancements offer tremendous opportunities to make a positive change in how companies approach business, economic and societal challenges.
- Protect thy reputation: Continue to align social innovation and sustainable development with the business model, stakeholders and integral to reputation management.
- Maximize monetary commitments: Forge deeper partnerships with non-profit social and environmental actors – NGOs, (UN Agencies, development agencies). Healthcare, poverty, education and workplace development are among top causes in need. Companies have a timely opportunity to collaborate with some new and innovative non-profit/NGOs who are in the trenches addressing key causes.
- End poverty in Africa: Support a project called the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. These eight goals, which the UN hopes to achieve by 2015, include reducing extreme poverty by half, halting the spread of AIDS and ensuring universal primary education. More information - http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
In conclusion: Now is the time to invest in our people and communities to mitigate environmental impact and promote societal advancement. The case for companies to do this has never been more compelling.
In 2010, Reputation Dynamics can help you align corporate responsibility with reputation management and performance:
- Strategic review and evaluation of your responsibility programs and impact
- Design and implementation of sustainable programs aligned with business objectives - including diversity and workplace initiatives
- Customized training programs to energize teams, develop a stronger employee culture and reinforce management's commitment
- Experiential marketing and story telling
- Develop grassroots education and community mobilization campaigns
- Identity and form deeper partnerships with nonprofit/NGO organizations
- Strategic briefing to your leadership and employees
Stay tuned for our blog facelift in 2010. Thanks for your support and your contributions to society.
By Sam Taylor.
***
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Reputation Dynamics forms Partnership with Elevate Destinations to Offer World Cup Community Touring in South Africa
Sample excursions include touring community projects in the historic Soweto area with former great soccer players such as Andre Arendse and Linda Buthelezi; a visit to the Boland Athletics Club, to meet with disadvantaged kids from the townships and farm areas around the Boland in Capetown; and a trip to Indigo Skate Park, situated in the Valley of a Thousand Hills in Durban – a rural area where skateboarding has brought hope to the community.
10% of tour costs will be donated to local communities and non-profits.
Key non-profit partners for this initiative are: The Sports Trust, which has sponsored more than 200 projects throughout South Africa and has mounted a campaign to distribute 20,000 soccer shoes before the World Cup, to disadvantaged children who cannot participate in the sport for lack of footwear; the Ubuntu Institute, a non-profit organization in South Africa founded by Cedza Dlamini (Nelson Mandela's grandson), which looks at the role of culture, heritage and indigenous knowledge systems in achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Africa; and Uthando South Africa, which supports a broad range of grass roots, community-based projects with substantial and enduring value to the most destitute and marginalized communities in South Africa.
Founded in 2005, Elevate Destinations is a leading global sustainable travel company offering customized adventures to travelers' seeking to explore and impact the environmental, socio-cultural and economic conditions of the places they visit. Key markets include Africa, India, Latin America and South East Asia.
Further information:
E: sam@elevatedestinations.com - 212 979 6092.
http://www.elevatedestinations.com/
**Saturday, November 21, 2009
Survey to Explore Keys to Winning Employee Engagement Programs | GreenBiz.com
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Reputation Dynamics forms Partnership with Climb the Green Ladder: Sustainability Training Critical for Retaining Talent and Competitive Edge
"Social change, sustainability and 'Going Green' is the evolution of an accepted management paradigm and a key component for safeguarding reputation and competitive business edge - despite an economic slowdown," said Samantha Taylor, Reputation Dynamics founder and president. "Many organizations have enjoyed substantial benefits from their programs, while others are still postponing development."
Seventy-eight percent (78%) believe the value of a job candidate's environmental and sustainability knowledge will increase in importance as a hiring factor within five years. (The Engaged Organization: March 2009).
"Engaging employees with sustainability opportunities has become a critical factor, despite lay-offs, as organizations continue to struggle with attracting and retaining talent for the long term," added Samantha.
Companies continue to be under the gun to implement effective sustainability and social change initiatives to address society's widespread challenges including healthcare, poverty, environmental issues and workplace development - all in conjunction with greater stakeholder mobilization and driving profit.
Sustainability spans a variety of social, economic and environmental activities by organizations that demonstrate their commitment to society on a local or global level, responsible business operations, grass-roots education initiatives and accountability of charitable contributions. These policies and programs can be designed to complement and enhance a company's business strategy, mission, cultural values and workforce development initiatives.
Customized, collaborative sessions, led by Samantha Taylor and associate partner - Shari Aaron (author of Climb the Green Ladder: Wiley), will address trends, best practices and approaches for effectively aligning 'Doing Good in Society' with business, stakeholder and community needs.
A typical agenda includes the following components:
- Role and impact of sustainability, social change and green marketing
- Top global concerns
- Impact on brand, reputation and performance
- Making the business case
- The new relationship dynamics between the for-profit and non-profit sectors
- Integration within the organization - connecting the dots with the CMO, HR and employees
- Positioning and messaging for impact
- Experiential marketing and campaign development
- Emerging market spotlight - Africa
- Evaluation and results benchmarking
Please contact Sam Taylor for further details about the program, cost and registration:
sam@reputation-dynamics.com - (212) 979 6092.
***http://www.climbthegreenladder.com/
Friday, October 9, 2009
Live from The Corporate Council on Africa - Perspectives on Aligning Social Responsibility for Africa
The U.S.-Africa Business Summit attracted more than 1,500 leaders from the private and public sectors in the U.S. and Africa including U.S. and African heads of state and their cabinet ministers, along with CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and heads of international organizations. In addition to a special speech made by Hillary Clinton and an agribusiness plenary, participants had the opportunity attend more than 50 industry-specific sessions including infrastructure, natural resources, health, financing, power, social responsibility and experiential tourism.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Corporate Council on Africa - LIVE from the US-Africa Business Summit in DC
Samantha Taylor, Founder of Reputation Dynamics
Barbara Hochstellar, Airport Designer
Yusuf Reja, Founder and CEO of ZebraJobs.com
Obinna Ekezie, President of Wakanow.com
Tim McCoy, VP Member Services of The Corporate Council on Africa
George Aboagye, CEO Ghana Investment Promotion Center
For more information about this week's program and to listen click on following link:
http://www.traveltalkradio.com/TTR_760kfmb.html
The U.S.-Africa Business Summit attracted more than 1,500 leaders from the private and public sectors in the U.S. and Africa including U.S. and African heads of state and their cabinet ministers, along with CEOs of fortune 500 companies, and heads of international organizations. In addition to a special speech made by Hillary Clinton and an agribusiness plenary, participants had the opportunity attend more than 50 industry-specific sessions including infrastructure, natural resources, health, financing, power, social responsibility and experiential tourism.
Stay tuned for Sam Taylor's report back on the conference and implications for corporate social responsibility in Africa.
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