In this issue, we reflect on the key takeaways from “Transparency: Risk of Opportunity?”, a forum designed to explore strategic disclosure around environmental, social, and governance issues. PDF

Welcome and thank you for visiting the new Framework:CR (FCR) blog!!! In case you missed the multiple exclamation points, we are quite pleased to provide this feature for your reading pleasure.

You see we’ve been kicking around this idea for months now—exploring the blogosphere, discussing content options, and, per usual, waxing philosophical. But reaching consensus can sometimes be a challenge for us. With three full-time staffers split between our Wilton base and our respective home offices, our most thoughtful and innovative conversations are sometimes too short and/or infrequent for our liking. So, rather than speak for everyone, I will encourage each of my colleagues to share a bit of their own vision for the blog in the coming days and weeks.

From my perspective, the FCR blog is poised to address the timeliest issues of sustainability and society. Of course, the two are interdependent, and there is no timelier issue, from both the sustainability and societal perspectives, than the meltdown on Wall Street. With stock markets still reeling and credit tightening, we are all bracing ourselves for the challenges ahead.

In recent weeks, I have noticed the impacts of the financial crisis most palpably on the sustainability conference circuit. Many of the events that typically command high prices and draw large crowds are now turning out far fewer attendees than they have in years past. We’ve seen this firsthand at events in both Europe and the United States.

While I fundamentally understand the reasons why this trend is taking shape, I also fear the impacts that it will have on our common goal of promoting sustainability over the next 12 to 18 months. To my mind, low conference attendance means that fewer people have a forum in which they can discuss and explore environmental, social, and governance issues, including the very reasons behind this financial mess; namely a lack of transparency and good governance. Both are considered central tenets of a sound corporate sustainability program.

It is imperative that we all continue to talk about challenges and opportunities, share best practices, and, ultimately, advance the practice of sustainability. Ergo, it is important for us to blog and even more important for our stakeholders—be they colleagues, clients, competitors, and so on—to join with us. So don’t be shy. Feel free to comment and participate as you see fit.

As far as blog content goes, let’s just say that from here on anything is fair game and anything is possible. Vague—I know—but I am convinced that this open-ended approach is a very positive thing. In September I attended a lecture by a well-known corporate executive and regular blogger. To paraphrase one of his key insights: “if, in business, you only make decisions for which you know the outcome, your business will likely fail.” With that in mind, we are pleased to jump into blogging with two feet, to address our industry’s risks and opportunities, and, ultimately, help to build greater dialogue and transparency.

The floor is now open…

by Kathee Rebernak and Kyle Whitaker, Ethical Corporation, October 2008 Link

GE Citizenship Report 2007-08 PDF