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Biz Strategy

‘Rules of Procedures’ of a Corporate Board: In the best interest of …?

May 25, 2021

One of the things usually approved at the constituent board meeting after every company AGM are the board of directors' ‘Rules of Procedure’. What looks, and is often perceived, as a formality though, at close looks carries not just formal weight, but indeed formulates – directly or between the lines – the duties of the board. What do these rules typically enshrine - and what not?

Biz Strategy Definitions

5 principles for good design

December 25, 2010

The 5 principles of good design: Invisible, solves problems, open to communication, in sync with life cycle, and mimics nature.

Biz Strategy Globalisation Governance

80 : 20, 20 : 80: Impact of SMEs vs. Corporates

May 22, 2013

In Europe, SMEs make up 99% of all companies, and provide 67% of employment a much higher percentage of jobs in developing countries. Research has shown that they generate around 50% of the private sector’s turn over, and that SMEs contribute at least 80% to the national GDPs. Yet less than 20% of policies, government investments etc. are made with them in mind.

Biz Strategy Finance Opinions

A ‘system positive’ company. Bullshit bingo or separating the wheat from the chaff?

November 17, 2020

‘System positive’. The latest term I came a cross in the finance world, and which intends to identify business that are particularly well set up to survive the tribulations to be expected in the decades to come. Immediately the cynic in me asks: Another addition to the sustainability bullshit bingo? And yet: the 5 questions proposed for scrutinising companies are very sharp, very relevant and very insightful. They only fall short of one: Will the company thrive within or even thanks to the Doughnut Boundaries?

Biz Strategy Consumer-ism Finance

A CO2 baseline for all: Tools to footprint, for Individuals to Small Enterprises

February 1, 2022

Large companies and institutional players are challenged to assess and calculate their carbon footprint. But they typically have the means to hire experts – in-house or consultants – and buy licenses of useful tools.This applies similarly to larger-sized SMEs. But what about distinctly small companies or indeed even individuals? How can they get a guesstimate on their carbon footprint, and possibly even some pointers how to do better going forward? Hence, here a short list of such calculators, both for individuals as well as for small companies.

Biz Strategy Definitions

A Long Definition of ‘Sustainability’ for Fashion

December 11, 2010

Sustainability for Fashion := "Creating desirable products guided by principles that consider sustainability as a core component of the process. [...]"

Biz Strategy Consumer-ism Globalisation

Agri Food Industry & Carbon Trajectory: Returns over resilience?

April 20, 2021

Carbon – together with biodiversity – is one of THE most critical dimensions among the Planetary Boundaries. Because the already existing overshoot is putting our civilisation at risk. So far nothing new under the sun. The food and agri sector is - possibly together with the energy sector - one of the most important industries in this regard. Not only does it impact our living environment significantly - by how our food is grown - but also they play a key role to feed our global population. The big elephant in the room is of course: How well or badly do agri food companies perform right now in terms of their carbon footprint? And: Do they have at the least commitments to work on a Paris Agreement trajectory? I look into these questions. Spoiler Alert: There is not much to cheer about. Not at all.

Biz Strategy Future Tech Opinions

AI x Sustainability (1): Where does it fit?

October 1, 2024

AI has the potential to transform corporate responsibility by handling data-heavy tasks like reporting or data and KPI management. It hence can contribute to helping companies 'being less bad'. However, its potential to support professionals and companies in driving real positive impact is still developing. This post introduces AI’s current potenntial in corporate responsibility and sustainability. In upcoming blog posts we'll explore specific applications: in sustainability reporting, supply chain management, and integrating financial considerations with sustainability impact.

Biz Strategy Future Tech Governance

AI x Sustainability (2): Leveraging AI for ESG Reporting

October 22, 2024

Could ESG reporting finally become less repetitive and tedious? AI has the potential to transform ESG reporting by automating compliance tracking, integrating data from diverse and unstructured sources, and streamlining audit preparation. This opens up opportunities to free data and ESG experts from repetitive, tedious tasks. Yet, while AI offers promise, tight oversight remains essential to address challenges like data quality ('crap in is crap out') and system integration.

Biz Strategy Future Tech Supply Chain

AI x Sustainability (3): Supply Chain Compliance with AI

November 12, 2024

Can AI help us to get to (better) grips with supply chain compliance? Supply chains are based on fairly complex partnership networks where every link ideally must meet strict efficiency and compliance standards. Supplier audits and legislation aim ultimately to ensure high standard, it is a not the least highly time demanding task to be successful at. AI offers the potential to support practical solutions for risk assessment, process optimization, and partner evaluation. Commercial providers are already jumping on the band wagon by providing ways to build 'digital twins' of real supply chains – hence opening them up for 'offline optimisation' - and of course highly sophisticated data analytics tools drawing from multiple disjoint data sources.

Biz Strategy Finance Future Tech

AI x Sustainability (4): The Role of AI in Integrating Sustainability into Financial Balance Sheets

December 10, 2024

How can AI help connect the worlds of sustainability/ESG data, and that of company financials? ESG is typically considered a mere cost - yet: this perception stems chiefly from a lack of integration of mutually beneficial data of these two worlds. With better approaches to cost accounting, to performance analysis, as well as using predictive analysis relate to trends, legislation and asset management, the ability of AI to integrated diverse and complex data sets may precise be the pathway to shift that needle.

Biz Strategy Future Tech

AI x Sustainability (5): There are always two sides to the coin

December 30, 2024

Is AI advancing sustainability or creating costly trade-offs we’re only beginning to understand? In this post, we dive into the reality behind AI's potential as a force for sustainability. While AI shows promise in enhancing sustainable practices and supporting business processes, it also has a significant CO₂ footprint—mainly from energy-hungry data centres—and its environmental impact will likely grow. Though AI could help achieve Sustainable Development Goals, this depends on our responsible use and governance of the technology. Without stringent oversight, AI risks reinforcing societal biases, as seen in social media algorithms that foster echo chambers. As with all innovations, AI’s promise is matched by its challenges, and only a well-balanced approach can ensure it contributes meaningfully to a sustainable future.

Biz Strategy Definitions

Another Short Definition of ‘Sustainability’ for Fashion

December 7, 2010

Sustainability for Fashion := "Creating desirable products that evoke an emotional connection [...]"

Biz Strategy Finance Globalisation

Apparel Industry & Carbon Trajectory: Throw in the Towel?

December 15, 2020

Carbon – together with biodiversity – is one of THE most critical dimensions among the Planetary Boundaries. Because the already existing overshoot is putting our civilisation at risk. So far nothing new under the sun. The big elephant in the room is of course: How do companies perform right now in terms of their carbon footprint? And: Do they have at the least commitments to work on a Paris Agreement trajectory? I answer these questions. Spoiler Alert: Some 'villains' are doing rather well. So well in fact that they are leading the pack.

Biz Strategy Opinions

Are business coaches the better board directors?

June 29, 2021

Most boards are composed of former or present CEOs, CFO and other C-suite executives. People, hence, with a long track record of ‘getting stuff’ done. A board’s role however is very different from that of an executive: digging deep by asking those overly simple questions that give interesting answers, digging deep into rationales, values, hopes, expectations, shut up doubts, and personal agendas. Which is what good coaches typically do. Are coaches the better board directors?

Biz Strategy Finance

Balance Sheet Shadow: The overlooked impact of corporate cash holdings

June 24, 2024

This blog uncovers the surprising, and mostly overseen fact, that corporate cash holdings in banks more often than not have a relevant carbon footprint. Relevant enough for a company's own Scope 3 and overall footprint. We discuss actionable steps from the Green Action Cash Guide, and the type of support the guide gives – but also lacks. Topics touched upon are: board support, data gathering, and strategies for shifting to climate-friendly banking partners.

Biz Strategy Opinions

Better brands = better world?

December 10, 2012

“Marketing used to be about creating a myth and telling it. Now it is about finding a truth and sharing it”. Better brands are those brands that will ensure their long-term existence, that will go beyond their founders and their children. How? By taking better decisions and looking at the bigger picture.

Biz Strategy Luxury Trade Shows

Better Business: report from Green Business conference, Istanbul

September 23, 2013

I had the chance to speak at the Green Business conference last week in Istanbul about future market scenarios for the fashion industry. The conference is an event of the Sustainability Academy in Turkey. Key highlights from the event

Biz Strategy Book Reviews Labour Supply Chain

Businesses called to Action

March 23, 2010

The book explains key factors in doing successful business with the poor, profitably as well as with a positive social impact. Numerous case studies show the how-to.

Biz Strategy Finance Opinions

Carbon Pricing: A Dilemma to happen. Or: When Ethics meets Market Economy

December 21, 2021

Pricing the ton of carbon is a key matter – more so as an increasing number of companies aim at publicly claiming carbon neutrality. Carbon hence has a price – and this raises the much discussed question: What is a fair (or better: ‘correct’) price for carbon? In this post I present a glimpse of some of the challenges and realities related to the topic. It leaves us with the question: What went wrong in the current system that fundamentally asks us to choose between having to monetarily price natural and societal resources, and a fair, equitable access to these resources specifically for hard hit communities? The question alone should not be even asked. And yet it seems that’s what we’re left with given the current time and age.

Future Fit Industries of 'Stuff': Governance, Responsibility, and the Age of Doughnut Economics

Biz Strategy

‘Rules of Procedures’ of a Corporate Board: In the best interest of …?

5 principles for good design

80 : 20, 20 : 80: Impact of SMEs vs. Corporates

A ‘system positive’ company. Bullshit bingo or separating the wheat from the chaff?

A CO2 baseline for all: Tools to footprint, for Individuals to Small Enterprises

A Long Definition of ‘Sustainability’ for Fashion

Agri Food Industry & Carbon Trajectory: Returns over resilience?

AI x Sustainability (1): Where does it fit?

AI x Sustainability (2): Leveraging AI for ESG Reporting

AI x Sustainability (3): Supply Chain Compliance with AI

AI x Sustainability (4): The Role of AI in Integrating Sustainability into Financial Balance Sheets

AI x Sustainability (5): There are always two sides to the coin

Another Short Definition of ‘Sustainability’ for Fashion

Apparel Industry & Carbon Trajectory: Throw in the Towel?

Are business coaches the better board directors?

Balance Sheet Shadow: The overlooked impact of corporate cash holdings

Better brands = better world?

Better Business: report from Green Business conference, Istanbul

Businesses called to Action

Carbon Pricing: A Dilemma to happen. Or: When Ethics meets Market Economy

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