John Elkington in Cambridge
On Friday (23 May), I got to spend some time with the thought-leader in sustainability, John Elkington (www.johnelkington.com) He kindly agreed to share a public speaking platform with me to mark the Cambridge launch of "The A to Z of Corporate Social Responsibility", to which he is a contributor. I also conducted a filmed interview with him for the book on the Top 50 sustainability books, which I am busy researching and writing for Cambridge Programme for Industry. So all in all, a fascinating and thought-provoking day.
POSTED BY WayneVisser.com AT 5/28/2008 6:07 AM
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My Photos on the Web
I've started loading my photos, including some Architecture and Travel pics. Lots more still to load, but so far I've posted photos from my trips to the Eden Project in Cornwall (UK), Antigua and Tika (Guatemala) and Baku (Azerbaijan).
You can follow the links from: www.waynevisser.com/photography.htm.
POSTED BY WayneVisser.com AT 5/25/2008 3:20 PM
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Africa Day 2008 - Music of Africa: We Celebrate
In celebration of Africa Day on 25 May 2008, and after a prompting email from the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), I wrote a poem as a celebration called "Music of Africa". It begins like this:
Music is the heartbeat of Africa
And as we drum
So we are drummed
By the pulse of Africa
To read the full poem, go to:
http://www.waynevisser.com/poem_music_of_africa_we_celebrate.htm.
POSTED BY WayneVisser.com AT 5/20/2008 8:09 AM
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My Art on the Web
I enjoy dabbling in art immensely, albeit as a total amateur. At the moment, my favourite medium is Acrylic painting, but I have also tried my hand at Charcoal, Ink, Mixed Media, Oils, Pencil and Watercolours.
I have now posted images of my art on my website at:
http://www.waynevisser.com/art.htm.
POSTED BY WayneVisser.com AT 5/17/2008 9:21 AM
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CSR Myths
In an article previously published by Ethical Corporation, I set out to explode 7 myths about corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR):
- Myth 1 - Economic growth is not compatible with CSR
- Myth 2 - Multinationals are the biggest CSR sinners
- Myth 3 - Multinationals are the biggest CSR saviours
- Myth 4: Developing countries are anti-multinational
- Myth 5: CSR is the same the world over
- Myth 6: Developed countries lead on CSR
- Myth 7: Codes can ensure CSR
I have written a short (2 page) article - part of the CSR Inspiration series - which summarises these myths. It is available as a Pdf download on:
http://www.waynevisser.com/article_waynevisser_csr_myths.pdf.
POSTED BY WayneVisser.com AT 5/16/2008 3:39 PM
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CSR Drivers
In doing research for my chapter entitled “CSR in Developing Countries”, published in The Oxford Handbook of CSR, I identified 10 drivers for Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (CSR). These included:
National (or internal) drivers:
- Cultural tradition
- Political reform
- Socio-economic priorities
- Governance gaps
- Crisis response
- Market access
International (or external) drivers:
- International standardization
- Investment incentives
- Stakeholder activism
- Supply chain
I have written a short (1 page) article - part of the CSR Inspiration series - which summarises the model. It is available as a Pdf download on:
http://www.waynevisser.com/article_waynevisser_csr_drivers.pdf.
POSTED BY WayneVisser.com AT 5/16/2008 3:04 PM
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CSR Change Agents
In research conducted for my PhD on CSR, I identified four types of Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (CSR) Change Agents: Experts, Facilitators, Catalysts and Activists.
Each type represents a constellation of attributes. It is expected that any individual CSR change agent will embody elements of all of these types, but that the relative influence of each type will differ per individual.
Hence, the dominant type can be thought of as a centre of gravity for each CSR change agent's work, i.e. the mode of operating in which they feel most comfortable, fulfilled or satisfied.
I have written a short (1 page) article - part of the CSR Inspiration series - which summarises the model. It is available as a Pdf download on:
http://www.waynevisser.com/article_waynevisser_csr_change_agents.pdf.
POSTED BY WayneVisser.com AT 5/16/2008 2:14 PM
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Baku: Cove of the Caspian
After going to Baku in Azerbaijan to teach a Masterclass in Corporate Social Responsibility, I was struck by the city's ancient history, diverse culture (with Turkish, Arabian and Russian influences) and sprawling modernisation due to oil revenues. I tried to capture this sense in a poem, which begins:
The scattered seeds of history
Lie sheltered in the desert shade
And watered by the crescent moon
Rise up to form a sickle blade
The full poem is posted on:
www.waynevisser.com/poem_baku_cove_of_the_caspian.htm.
POSTED BY WayneVisser.com AT 5/15/2008 3:08 PM
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CSR 2.0
The field of what is variously known as CSR, sustainability, corporate citizenship and business ethics is ushering in a new era in the relationship between business and society.
Simply put, we are shifting from the old concept of CSR - the classic notion of "Corporate Social Responsibility", which I call CSR 1.0 - to a new, integrated conception - CSR 2.0, which can be more accurately labelled "Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility".
The allusion to Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 is no coincidence. The transformation of the internet through the emergence of social media networks, user-generated content and open source approaches is a fitting metaphor for the changes business is experiencing as it begins to redefine its role in society. Let's look at some of the similarities.
Web 1.0 and CSR 1.0
* Web 1.0 was a flat world just beginning to connect itself and finding a new medium to push out information and plug advertising. Likewise, CSR 1.0 was a convenient new vehicle for companies to establish relationships with communities, channel philanthropic contributions and manage their image (which many called "greenwash").
* Web 1.0 saw the rise to prominence of innovators like Netscape, but these were quickly out-muscled by giants like Microsoft with its Internet Explorer. Likewise, CSR 1.0 included many start-up pioneers like Traidcraft, but has ultimately turned into a product for large multinationals like Wal-Mart.
* Web 1.0 focused largely of the standardised hardware and software of the PC as its delivery platform, rather than multi-level applications. CSR 1.0 also travelled down the road of "one size fits all" standardisation, through codes, standards and guidelines to shape its offering.
Web 2.0 and CSR 2.0
* By contrast, Web 2.0 is being shaped by watchwords like "collective intelligence", "collaborative networks" and "user participation". CSR 2.0 is similarly being defined by "global commons", "innovative partnerships" and "stakeholder involvement".
* Web 2.0 tools include social media, knowledge syndication and beta testing. Similarly, CSR 2.0 embraces mechanisms like diverse stakeholder panels, real-time transparent reporting and new-wave social entrepreneurship.
* Finally, Web 2.0 is as much a state of being as a technical advance - it is a new philosophy or way of seeing the world differently. Likewise, CSR 2.0 is recognising a shift in power from centralised to decentralised; a change in scale from few and big to many and small; and a change in application from single and exclusive to multiple and shared.
As our world becomes more connected and global challenges like climate change and poverty loom ever larger, businesses that still practice CSR 1.0 will (like their Web 1.0 counterparts) be rapidly left behind. Highly conscientised and networked stakeholders will expose them and gradually withdraw their social licence to operate. By contrast, companies that embrace the CSR 2.0 era will be those that collaboratively find innovative ways tackle our global challenges and be rewarded in the marketplace as a result.
Copyright Wayne Visser 2008
Download as a pdf from:
http://www.waynevisser.com/article_waynevisser_csr_2_0.pdf
POSTED BY WayneVisser.com AT 5/13/2008 10:59 AM
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From "Flight" to "Wildlife" - More Everyday Inspiration
I have loaded more of my Everyday Inspiration prose on the web, including:
* Flight - Flight is the journey beyond our limitations ...
* Flowers - Flowers are Nature's way of smiling and laughing ...
* Food - Food is a universal language spiced by delicious local dialects ...
* Friendship - Friendship is the bond between hearts and the bridge between souls ...
* Generosity - Generosity is sharing that which you can least afford to give ...
* Home - Home is wherever we feel we most belong ...
* Leadership - Leadership is the ability to inspire individuals to act for the common good ...
* Love - Love is the ultimate human quest ...
* Music - Any music can be played, but the best music plays us ...
* Partnership - Partnership is the journey towards being better together than apart ...
* Radicals - Radicals are the root of all progress ...
* Responsibility - Responsibility is the choice we make to respond with care ...
* Rituals - Rituals are labyrinths with meaning at the centre ...
* Seasons - Seasons are the shades of blush when nature is changing ...
* Silence - All sound begins and ends in silence ...
* Space - The building blocks of life, the universe, and everything are the spaces in between ...
* Sport - Sport is a better peacemaker than politics or religion ...
* Theatre - Theatre is where we go to let others expose who we are ...
* Time - Time is our greatest gift ...
* Touch - Only when touched do we truly come to our senses ...
* Wildlife - We were all born to be wild and tricked into being tame ...
You can read these at www.waynevisser.com/prose.htm.
POSTED BY WayneVisser.com AT 5/07/2008 3:15 PM
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MY PROFILE
Name: WayneVisser.com
Location: UK
This is not so much a diary as (in the spirit of blogging) where I share random thoughts as and when I think I have something vaguely interesting to say.
This is also the place where I will flag what's new on my website - www.waynevisser.com - especially new writing, poems and art, as they are loaded.
RECENT POSTS
John Elkington in Cambridge
My Photos on the Web
Africa Day 2008 - Music of Africa: We Celebrate
My Art on the Web
CSR Myths
CSR Drivers
CSR Change Agents
Baku: Cove of the Caspian
CSR 2.0
From "Flight" to "Wildlife" - More Everyday Inspiration
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