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Our current work - Tomorrow’s Global Company – the inquiry
The Tomorrow’s Global Company team explored the issues which they saw as being most significant for global business, and what needed to be done to address them. The conclusions on current trends were challenging: • That current patterns of consumption are unsustainable – which presents major challenges to business because global economic, social, political and environmental systems are interdependent; and • That the market remains the most powerful mechanism for delivering prosperity – but that the frameworks within which it operates are leading to unsustainable outcomes. How can these challenges be tackled? The Inquiry Team considered factors such as talent and technology but eventually decided that the focus of leaders of global businesses should be on three specific and related priorities: 1. Redefining success – measuring business success not only in terms of financial and operational results but in ways that take account of social and environmental factors that affect long-term performance; 2. Embedding values – setting an example and using values as the ‘glue’ to unite complex organisations; and 3. Creating frameworks – working with governments, policy-makers and civil society to create international agreements, national legislation and voluntary frameworks needed to direct markets to sustainable ends– taking a proactive approach and therefore avoiding having regulation imposed without business involvement. The report concluded that a change in mindset is needed. The Inquiry Team called this expanding the space’ – meaning that business should take on a larger role, extending its definition of success, applying its values more widely and creating frameworks that harness the power of business to bring wider benefits to society. Our ongoing agenda; three key themes: After an extensive consultation Tomorrow's Company has identified three issues that will be fundamental to the future success of business. Its programme of research, events and activities is designed to explore and build upon these themes. In addition we have identified the need to explore all 3 themes in the context of Tomorrows Global company.
Some of our achievements
To read a summary of our achievements since 1995 click here.
Our recent publication Ageing Population, Pensions and Wealth Creation argues that there is no 'pensions crisis' and that as a society we can afford to grow old. Alan Pickering CBE, praised Tomorrow's Company for challenging conventional wisdom and enhancing the contemporary debate by 'asking the right questions and coming up with the right answers'. John Neill, of Unipart Group, states that Tomorrow's Company "has played an important part in demonstrating to companies how an inclusive approach to business can improve competitiveness". In a recent speech, Paul Myners described the work of Tomorrow's Company as "a beacon in directing the UK to evulate the importance of values in corporate behaviour." The RSA Tomorrow's Company Report (1995) has been the inspiration for many company change programmes, and led to proposals in the UK's Company Law Review to redefine the duty of directors.
The repealed Operating and Financial Review, which was going to be required of all large companies, had been strongly influenced by Sooner Sharper Simpler (1998), which described the annual report of the future.
Tomorrow's Company starts partnering with Business in the Community, providing criteria and judging their 'Company of the Year' award (2002). Redefining CSR, published in 2003, has initiated a fierce debate among business leaders and the media about current developments in corporate responsibility. Former Vice-President of the United States, Al Gore, gives annual lecture (2006), followed by the report Climate Change - The Role of Global Companies. In every case the impact has come not simply from publications but from the actions of members and supporters in turning the ideas into practice. Tomorrow's Company e-bulletins
The e-bulletin covers a range of areas including any new developments, press articles, current research, events, membership news and people. Published every 6 weeks our e-bulletin keeps you up to date with the work of Tomorrow's Company.
If you would like to receive a copy of the latest e-bulletin please contact gerard@tomorrowscompany.com |