News & analysis
Economic tough times…. time to rethink?
Editor's Letter
As the financial markets go into meltdown, it is time to redouble our collective efforts and focus on the things that add value to our companies and stakeholders.
Mike Tuffrey,
Founding Editor
By invitation
Niki Leahy on the challenges facing the new Department of Energy and Climate Change.
As the global credit crunch takes its toll on the world’s financial sector, the UK economy is facing a recession with rising commodity prices, negative growth and increasing unemployment.
Speaking out
Here lies the important distinction between a brand that simply wants to do something responsible to create a warm and fuzzy effect, and a responsible brand. While consumers clearly like the former, they increasingly expect the latter.
Foreign operators must demonstrate the positives they will bring to a community, to counteract the perceived negatives such as environmental damage and disruption to local communities.
Briefing comment
It’s no overstatement to say that markets have begun to internalise environmental issues and so the question is whether leading companies will simply wait to react to this change or seek out first mover advantages.
The stories are not diverse but uniform. Virtually without exception they report on women faring badly in the work place.
It is well documented that young people are increasingly keen to work for a company that shares their values, and in theory are willing to forego the highest salary to work for a values led company.