Sustainability
Sustainability is one of the top trends of the 21st century. We support companies not only in managing risks but also in taking advantage of the opportunities that arise.
CR, ESG or sustainability management has become an integral part of the economy. Global warming, the corona crisis, and other challenges facing humanity have shown that we have to solve them together and globally. The sensitivity of managers around the world to these issues demonstrates the Global Risk Report, which is conducted annually as part of the World Economic Forum and which sees environmental and social concerns as the driving force behind the global economy in 2020.
That not only means change, but it also offers opportunities in a dynamic market environment!
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink puts it in a nutshell in his Letter to CEO 2020: “We believe that all investors, along with regulators, insurers, and the public, need a clearer picture of how companies are managing sustainability-related questions. This data should extend beyond climate to questions around how each company serves its full set of stakeholders, such as the diversity of its workforce, the sustainability of its supply chain, or how well it protects its customers’ data. Each company’s prospects for growth are inextricable from its ability to operate sustainably and serve its full set of stakeholders”.
As specialists in this field with many years of experience in business development, we can support companies perfectly in this area. Through benchmark analyses, which we have conducted with over 300 companies, and numerous projects, we can accurately show where companies currently stand.
A strong embedding and implementation of the strategy is successful if all measures are well networked and interlocked. To this end, we first clarify various basic principles such as terms, legitimation of the strategy (why-question) or stakeholder understanding. The core of the strategy is its content, which ranges from the derivation of the fields of action, the goals and concrete measures within and outside the value chain, to reporting. Successful companies in the field of CR communicate significantly more than their competitors. We help them not only to position the topic internally, but also to convince external stakeholders such as customers and investors. The preparation of CR reports helps just as much as experienced and well-formulated communication with consumers. Finally, the desired and achieved impact is analyzed using state-of-the-art methods. Here we focus on both the social and the economic impact of CR.
A CR, ESG, or sustainability strategy is a highly individual matter, just like the corporate strategy.
First, we take a comprehensive and non-binding stocktaking. To do this, we use our benchmark databases, among other things, to assess where the company already stands.
Subsequently, we work out a strategy development concept tailored to the company, which takes into account exactly how the company wants to proceed (e.g. rather via coached internal agile teams up to taking over the project management by us).
We use various methods to achieve the right mix of a top-down and bottom-up approach.
In cooperation with the Campus Academy of the University of Bayreuth, we offer the certificate course CR Management for practitioners. This course is only held in german language. For more information take a look at the brochure and to register, please click here.
Furthermore, concern is an official training partner of the DNK (German Sustainability Code). Within its scope, we conduct training courses on corporate responsibility reporting, with a special focus on the DNK (also offered only in German language).
Attestation of the value and sustainability contribution of an insurance product
Most companies have actively addressed topics such as ethical behavior, sustainability, corporate responsibility, or the ESG strategy in recent years and have successfully implemented respective projects. Customers are asking more and more frequently. Applicants pay particular attention when choosing an employer. Have insurers prepared themselves for this? Do they use it as an opportunity to address customers and thus to position themselves credibly about their added social value?
Cluster-approach for the development of CR-strategies
Large companies have the resources to deal professionally with future topics such as sustainability and corporate responsibility. Small and medium-sized companies, on the other hand, need a pragmatic approach and directly applicable solutions.
Corporate Responsibility Index of the Bertelsmann Foundation
The Corporate Responsibility Index (CRI) of the Bertelsmann Foundation is about the development of a method for measuring the impact of corporate responsibility at German companies (with a turnover exceeding 250 million euros).
Corporate responsibility (CR) compass from WeSustain and concern
The CR Compass offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) support in setting up their CR management and in composing sustainability reports according to recognized standards.
Development of a guide to sustainable corporate governance for the members of an employers’ association
Implementing sustainability is now standard practice for companies in Germany. But the wheel does not have to be reinvented repeatedly, and it is precisely in this area that one should build on the experience of others. We have produced a guide to show how organizations can achieve sustainable corporate management.
Development of a sustainability strategy for a complex industrial group
A CR, ESG, or sustainability strategy is now indispensable for companies. The implementation in the value chain and alignment with the corporate strategy is self-evident. But how does one succeed in transforming the strategy into a self-runner in the company?
Development of an instrument for impact measurement
Measurement and reporting of sustainability indicators are an indispensable basis for the effective sustainability management of companies. But what is being achieved with those indicators? This is the question that impact measurement addresses.
Sustainability reporting as part of a CR-strategy
Followed by the creation of a comprehensive CR strategy, an international textile company summarizes the results in a sustainability report to provide employees, customers, and investors with extensive information.
Sustainability strategy
How much sustainability can an as critically classified industry tolerate? Is a portfolio strategy with a focus on sustainable products a danger or rather an opportunity? How do you position the production and sale of these products?
Sustainable management and compensation systems
Our society experiences a massive upheaval. New value concepts pose great challenges for businesses and politics. The call for responsible use of natural resources and social justice is becoming ever louder. Sustainable and value-oriented corporate management answers the questions of why the respective company should continue to exist in the next five to ten years.
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CR-Kompass: Fachbegriffe auf Deutsch für kleineUnternehmen ohne Vorwissen von Achim Halfmann im CSR Magazin
Ein innovativer Praktiker-Leitfaden für die Immobilienwirtschaft von der Arbeitsgruppe Nachhaltige Management- und Kompensationssysteme, herausgegeben vom ICG
Fries, Anne (2017): CR und Kundenkommunikation: Ein warmes Gefühl, Verantwortung – Das Magazin für Nachhaltigkeits- und CSR-Manager des F.A.Z.-Fachverlags, Vol. 02/2017, S. 26-27
Müller, Sarah, Anne Fries und Nina Mazar (2016): The Cause Matters! How Cause Marketing Campaigns Can Increase the Demand for Conventional over Green Products, Journal of the Association for Consumer Research; Issue: 1(4); 2016; S. 540-554
Dr. Markus Groß-Engelmann
Managing Partner, concern GmbH
Tel +49 (0) 221 630 606 300
Mobile +49 (0) 173 2313069
markus.gross-engelmann(at)concern.de
Bitte wenden Sie sich mit Ihren Fragen gerne an:
Dr. Anne Fries
Managing Partner, concern GmbH
Tel +49 (0) 221 – 630 606 300
Mobile +49 (0) 177 3251533
anne.fries(at)concern.de