Effective sustainability strategies also provide huge opportunities for operational improvements and cost savings.
CEOs can take advantage of a growing number of possible routes to achieving sustainability gains for their companies, including effective partnerships with “non-governmental organizations” (NGOs) that also are some of the biggest activist organizations behind sustainability concerns.
The mainstreaming of sustainability pursuits is illustrated by a recent McKinsey survey in which the overall goals of sustainability strategy have been evolving. This year, 43% of companies surveyed said they were looking primarily to align sustainability with their overall business goals, mission or values—up from 30% who said so in 2012. That points to an increasing integration of sustainability strategy with overall business strategy.
“Whatever the impetus,” as McKinsey put it recently, “sustainability has become sufficiently pervasive that defining it and executing business programs, products and practices with an eye to their environmental and social implications has become a demanding managerial exercise.”
Unilever CMO Keith Weed explained to WARC: “We wanted [sustainability] to be an integral part of our business, embedded in everything we do, and so activities formerly isolated within [corporate social responsibility] became strategic initiatives directed toward nutrition, water, hygiene, health and self-esteem.”
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
