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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.

Opinions

The Journey starts with the 1st Step

January 3, 2023

It’s that time of the year again when plans and aspirations are big, time capacity is scarce, budgets already set – and the old routine is just about to take over again. It is also the time of the year where there is that untypical window of opportunity. THE window of opportunity one could argue: introduce a small change. Small enough not to be overly tough to uphold. But big enough that, if repeated times and over again, at the very least 365 times a year, starts to make a difference. The journey starts with the first step. Here a few ideas.

Future Tech Opinions

Value(s) of Personal Communication in the digital era

January 5, 2019

Digital tools and IT systems are a great enabler for more data, more stringent channels of how to communicate what the different players in the chain do, and how they do it, over large distances and across operations and organizations.Yet – digital tools are more human than we think they are … because they, in the end, are representatives of the values and the world view of those that have built them.

Sustainable Business Leadership in 2030 - Four Scenarios

Biz Strategy Governance Opinions

Companies & Sustainability: Who leads it? And how?

July 6, 2021

If you’ve ever been part of a bigger discourse about how to scale out sustainability economically and globally, you’ll have been quick to notice that by and large you’ll be faced with representatives of four distinct camps of advocates: The Grassrooters; the 'Setting the tone at the top' people; those in support of government regulation driven by civil society; and the 'Fiduciary Duty Advocates'. But which camp owns the driving leadership role? Funnily enough, that role does get handed around as if it was a game of musical chairs ... or the proverbial hot potato.

Biz Strategy Future Tech Governance Opinions

Keep it Simple Stupid (kiss): Yet – how simple is too simple?

March 30, 2021

The KISS Principle is a design principle that stems from the 1960. It originated in engineering and its view point is that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than made complicated; therefore, simplicity should be a key goal in design, and unnecessary complexity should be avoided. But what about complex systems such as nature? How simple can we go before oversimplification results in incomplete, or biased data? Before absence of consideration of relevant factors inherently lead to regrettable substitutions? And before we willingly accept that there will be collateral damages to a decision, without knowing (or wanting to know) of what nature and in what order of magnitude these may be? One example that illustrates where this challenge may rear what is its ugly head: upcoming Swiss political referenda on agricultural practices.

Biz Strategy Opinions

Collaboration & Team Work: Buzz or Drag?

May 11, 2021

Collaborations toward a common goal, across organisations, can be one of the most gratifying things we ever may get to experience. Funny enough: Neither collaboration nor team work is something outrageously difficult in principle. If the common and mutually beneficial goal is front and centre. But this is exactly where the hitch is. Some thoughts about the hurdles of genuine collaboration and team work.

Italy sings and applauds during Corona lock down

Globalisation Governance Opinions

The Post Corona World – A Backwards Corona Forecast

April 14, 2020

When will Corona 'be over'? never. There are historical moments when the future changes direction. We call them bifurcations. Or deep crises. These times are now. Matthias Horx discusses what that means concretely.

Labour Opinions

Off thin air: financial maloperation on ‘planet sustainability’

September 5, 2013

Sustainability practitioners tend grow a fairly thick skin over time with regards to how their work is valued. Chances are that if you move in a field of expertise that marginally relates to CSR that you'll a surprising selection of comments, that display a lack of recognition.

Biz Strategy Governance Opinions

Climate Litigation x Boards of Directors: Approaching New Frontiers

November 1, 2023

Governments as well as legal persons such as companies are undoubtedly important players in this whole societal shift towards climate mitigation and adaption. When it comes to corporates though, and notably stock quoted companies, there is a group of people that is most prominently exposed in regards to the legality and societal ‘license to operate’ of a company: the Board of Directors (BoD). The question hence for this blog post is: How is this climate litigation business shaping up to affect the Board of Directors of publicly listed companies?

Consumer-ism Opinions

Can marketing be ethical?

July 30, 2012

Can marketing be ethical? Far too many times I am asked this question or come across people who strongly believe that marketing simply cannot. Actually, still today, for many, marketing is evil. I think that this conviction is the result of two main factors.

Opinions

The Gold of Small Things

August 24, 2021

Science fiction literature and movies are obsessed with the story line, and the film industry has made billions of dollars from it: a time traveller goes backwards in time. Changes (‘corrects’) a small thing – and Voila! All will be good. But precisely in the here and now Big and Bold things need happening - yet, doing small and important things remains relevant. Not the least because few of us humans see themselves as capable of completing Big and Bold things. So - maybe inspiration from science fiction is not all bad afterall ...

Consumer-ism Opinions

What ‘New Normal’? A personal pledge with and for ‘tiny’ actions

May 5, 2020

We have a choice. We have a choice to define, to embody, to live, how we want the ‘new normal’ to be. Because, far from perfectionism, doing, being and actioning is what makes a difference. This is why, I herewith propose a ‘Pledge of tiny actions’.

Biz Strategy Governance Opinions

Climate Litigation x Governments: A surprisingly (un)revolutionary approach

August 2, 2023

Litigation, going to court, is by definition not a fun business. And yet, in this 2023 several Climate Litigation cases have already caught the headline – and many more are in the makes. Among all the court cases, one particular case sticks out like – depending on the political viewpoint – either a lighthouse of hope, or a sore thumb: Urgenda vs Government of the Netherlands. In this blog post we dig deeper into this case: Who was going to court against whom? And why exactly? How come the plaintiffs won? And: is this just a one off local phenomenon in the Netherlands?

You too, can do: Be part of the solution, not the problem. Adding value with your skill set.

Biz Strategy Opinions

You too, can do. Or: How to be part of the solution, not the problem

June 27, 2023

More and more people call themselves 'sustainability experts'. Just -we do not need more of them. Instead we need people who are extremely good at what they do, apply their skill in a context to create change and that nourishes them for years to come. That's the Sweet Spot. How did you find your 'Sweet Spot'? And how did you transition?

Biz Strategy Governance Opinions

Continuous Learning Mistakes: When time teaches to know better

April 13, 2021

Knowledge and data are two interesting entities: essential for decisions at any one time. And yet evolving with time. And with that, decisions taken some time ago, possibly decades earlier, may prove flawed – in hindsight. But what if years down the road these insights are resurfaced and either proven to be partially or fully inaccurate? What if the nuggets are suddenly being used in a context that has shifted significantly since? What if our best intended and best-possible informed statements of the past are called out years, decades later? A few thoughts on this dilemma.

Definitions Governance Opinions

Manifesto of a Hummingbird*

June 23, 2020

The Manifesto of a Hummingbird: . 13 + 1 ways to make a stance for responsible business and leadership.

Biz Strategy Governance Opinions

The Colours of Us: Go serious – Or go home

July 7, 2020

This post is going to be somewhat more personal than how I usually write. Normally, I try to write and argument as factually and data driven as possible. I’m not one that feels comfortable to carry my emotions on my sleeve. And even less as some of the topics I write about are truly important to me. But: There are a couple of things that upset me in the present. They related to the #blacklivesmatter movement on the one hand, but maybe more specifically to the related discussion on #racism – globally. -> Includes a list of practical resources for corporate boards

Biz Strategy Governance Opinions

Change: Triggered through Responsibility with a capital ‘R’

February 20, 2013

In the discussions within companies around risk management and indispensable moves towards more sustainable processes and business practises, there’s habitually unmentioned elephant in the room, namely: Where, in all what needs to be done in the corporate world, does the responsibility of the individual factor in?

Opinions

Kindling the Amber: Gratefulness, and to fresh Opportunities.

December 29, 2020

This year has been a tough year. The count of lost lives alone cannot be escaped. For me: I was made redundant shortly before Christmas 2019 - consequence of restructuring - and had wanted to set up on my own. And then ... you know the story. And yet: there is so much to be grateful for. Parents that are healthy. Mountains that were climbed. Access to natural spaces. The snowflakes in front of my window. And learnings along the way. One thing that particularly stands out to me, from all the experiences in the past months: There are two types of people in this world. Those that champion the achievements of others. Who want to see them succeed and create positive change in and for the world and our global society. And then some. I'm grateful to have learned the difference. To 2021. To 12 more months of opportunities, to learn, to become better versions of ourselves, and to create change. For us. But more importantly, for the generations yet to come.

Biz Strategy Opinions

More Air-Time: Science, scientific-methods, and the scientific discourse

September 28, 2021

"The good thing about Science is that it’s true, whether or not you believe in it." This short quote by astrophysist Neil deGrasse Tyson is fundamental to making true progress specifically in the current times in the sustainability area. Science does not mean 'claim what you want as long as you have some data to go with it'. Instead it means: An approach whereby hard data and insights, together with the methodology how you got there, are transparently and openly provided. To be scuritinzed and - important! - improved upon. A call to give the Scientific Discourse waaaay more airtime in business.

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

Opinions

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

The Journey starts with the 1st Step

Value(s) of Personal Communication in the digital era

Companies & Sustainability: Who leads it? And how?

Keep it Simple Stupid (kiss): Yet – how simple is too simple?

Collaboration & Team Work: Buzz or Drag?

The Post Corona World – A Backwards Corona Forecast

Off thin air: financial maloperation on ‘planet sustainability’

Climate Litigation x Boards of Directors: Approaching New Frontiers

Can marketing be ethical?

The Gold of Small Things

What ‘New Normal’? A personal pledge with and for ‘tiny’ actions

Climate Litigation x Governments: A surprisingly (un)revolutionary approach

You too, can do. Or: How to be part of the solution, not the problem

Continuous Learning Mistakes: When time teaches to know better

Manifesto of a Hummingbird*

The Colours of Us: Go serious – Or go home

Kindling the Amber: Gratefulness, and to fresh Opportunities.

More Air-Time: Science, scientific-methods, and the scientific discourse

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