The McKinsey Quarterly has a good article and video feed from Adam Werbach, relating to his new book, Strategy for Sustainability.
Werbach, a former Sierra Club president and now CEO of Saatch & Saatchi S (sustainability) well distills some of the promising currents in the ongoing development of sustainability as a shared business strategy.
Is there any more inspiring turn of history than to witness two extraordinary American women vying for the championship on center court at Wimbledon, on the anniversary of our Declaration of Independence from the British Empire?
Priceless.
Why do so many American public companies resist transparency and granting their shareholders a greater say in the governance of the enterprises they own?
This kind of Soviet-style intransigence is hard to defend and surely doomed. It's also blocking tremendous value creation. Why aren't companies acting more to bring their shareholders--and other stakeholders--inside?
Some good observations in the New York Times.
Given the sorry track record of corporate boards in recent years, the status quo is not an option. Awaiting regulatory or statutory change has its own risks. It could stifle creativity, make board service less attractive and have unintended consequences. Sarbanes-Oxley anyone?
Why shouldn't corporate boards teach some lessons in the value of democratization and value creation to, among others, our closed political system?
Just sayin'......
Fine piece by Joshua Green in the Atlantic. History yields some lessons.
Ronald Reagan's speech at Normandy Beach in 1984 is aptly recalled as among the most significant and effective of his presidency.
Now, with Barack Obama following in his footsteps, Julian Zelizer has written a fine thought piece on the occasion and its prospective role in the arc of the 44th presidency.
Lest anyone dismiss the rhetorical aspects of leadership, let them consider this history, this occasion, and its enduring place in the America's view of the world--and the world's view of America.
One of the great honors and pleasures is to become acquainted with promising leaders of the future. Nothing gives one greater confidence that America is in great hands in the 21st century.
As a part of their 4-H Leadership Project home school students Zackary, 14 years old and his sister Ashleigh, 10 years old attended a program presentation along with their parents. Each is currently serving as an elected officer for their club and have led community service projects. The two are also youth peer trainers conducting interactive educational sessions for other young people. Zackary came armed with a copy of “Reagan on Leadership” and requested an autograph.
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight;
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die!
By Mary
Frye (1932)
Yesterday I was delighted to join a meeting at the historic Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District building, at which Minister Gavin Jennings of the Australian State of Victoria outlined his green priorities. Timothy Brick of the Met gave a fine overview of the history of Los Angeles (and California--and US) water issues. My longtime friend and colleague Tom Soto of Craton Equity Partners
gave a fine presentation on the cleantech industry and future (see similar presentation here).
Numerous Australian companies were in attendance, showing their wares. It also became clear, from the presentations, that Victoria has an especially important role in this space, with Melbourne being a world financial center as well.
As daunting as many 21st century challenges are, so to the opportunities for collaboration, innovation and leadership are unparalleled.
Australia and the USA have much in common in our ancestry and institutions and national character. One hopes we can build upon these in the energy-environment space.
