Category Archives: Interactive Technology

Mesh Networks, Leadership, and Democracy’s Promise

  The TakeAway: This election season and Veterans Day provide a great time to reflect on the state of our democracy, which is ailing badly. It’s also time to think about ways of healing it, while achieving sustainable peace and … Continue reading

Posted in Civic Technology, Data Visualization, Ethics and Values, Interactive Technology, Net Neutrality, Networked Citizenship, Notable People, Open Government, Open Knowledge, Politics, Public Policy, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Peace and Prosperity, Uncategorized, Web 2.0 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mesh Networks, Leadership, and Democracy’s Promise

2013 Memorable Moments and Values

Part 1 of 3 The TakeAway: It was a year of breakthroughs, tempered by loss. But as we look back on 2013, four memorable moments stand out. I’ve a personal connection to each, but they embody universal values worth amplifying … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Reporting, Ethics and Values, Interactive Technology, Media & Entertainment, Natural Disasters, Notable People, Politics, Public Policy, Sustainability Ratings, Sustainable Investing, Wage Gap | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 2013 Memorable Moments and Values

Let’s Bend the Arc of Money and Power Toward Justice

Sixth in a Series: Time to Talk About the Public Interest The TakeAway: The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom provides the opportunity to reflect on what truths we hold to be self evident, what … Continue reading

Posted in Ethics and Values, Fiduciary, Human Rights, Interactive Technology, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Let’s Bend the Arc of Money and Power Toward Justice

Ready For Their Close-Up: Corporate Secretaries and “The Shape of Things to Come”

Part One of Three The TakeAway: The recent annual conference of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals focused on “The Shape of Things to Come”—that is, key issues and trends affecting corporate accountability and sustainable prosperity. In so … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Ethics and Values, Interactive Technology, Politics, Proxy Voting, Public Policy, Stakeholder Engagement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Valentine’s Bouquet: Twelve for 2012

The TakeAway: The blooms of sustainable prosperity and justice are fed by at least twelve currents that will get stronger throughout 2012. They involve the maturation of corporate social responsibility and corporate governance; rethinking the meaning of “fiduciary”; balancing internationalism … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Human Rights, Interactive Technology, Investor Governance, Natural Disasters, Proxy Voting, Public Policy, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainable Investing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Proxy Resolutions, Shareholder Engagement, and Buggy Whips

Part Two of Two Parts The TakeAway: Shareholder engagement is on the rise, but can benefit from “transmedia mobilization”—that is, a greater understanding, adoption, and experimentation with a range of digital tools, including (but not restricted to) social media. As … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Interactive Technology, Stakeholder Engagement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Proxy Resolutions, Shareholder Engagement, and Buggy Whips

Part One of Two Parts The TakeAway: Proxy resolutions continue to influence corporate behavior on social policy and corporate governance, but proponents need to explore additional forms of engagement, including social media and other digital means. It’s the day after … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Corporate Governance, Corporate Political Activity, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Human Rights, Interactive Technology, Politics, Proxy Voting, Stakeholder Engagement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Freedom Bytes

The TakeAway: President Obama and Mideast protesters relied on digital technologies to change regimes, but beyond campaigns, how can they be used to build sustainable prosperity and justice? On Wednesday the contrast was stark, as democracy’s rituals – revolution and … Continue reading

Posted in Interactive Technology, Politics, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Controversial Compromise on Net Neutrality

The TakeAway: The FCC’s decision on “net neutrality” creates a double set of rules applying to fixed broadband and mobile broadband—with the public interest standard in question. The near decade-long struggle over “net neutrality” revolves around money, power, and access … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Political Activity, Interactive Technology, Media & Entertainment, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Moving Beyond Modern Portfolio Theory

The TakeAway: Harvard’s Initiative for Responsible Investment works to build a “master narrative” for responsible investing, along with educational tools for improving trustee performance. Massive changes in financial regulations and ramped up activism – aided in part by interactive technology – make … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Sustainability, Interactive Technology, Investor Governance, Sustainable Investing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Moving Beyond Modern Portfolio Theory

Radical Transparency: The Challenge to Sustainability and Democracy

The TakeAway: Reams of information released by WikiLeaks and the Federal Reserve challenge us to rethink our duties to promote sustainable accountability and representative democracy. Debates on the recent WikiLeaks / Federal Reserve data dumps concentrate on the supply side … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Sustainability, Interactive Technology, Media & Entertainment, Public Policy, Stakeholder Engagement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Role of Technology and Engagement in Integrated Reporting

Part Two of Two The TakeAway: Integrated reporting relies on new tools of technology and engagement in blending financial and sustainability disclosure – and practice. Harvard Business School Professor Bob Eccles designed last month’s consultation on integrated reporting, which gathered … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Interactive Technology, Stakeholder Engagement, Web 2.0 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Three I’s of Sustainability Reporting’s Future

The TakeAway: The Global Reporting Initiative leads sustainability disclosure into a new era through Integration, Implementation, and Integrity. Around the world, thousands of organizations rely on the GRI Reporting Framework and its multi-stakeholder approach to sustainability reporting covering the range of … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Human Rights, Interactive Technology, Public Policy, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainability Ratings, Sustainable Investing, Web 2.0 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sustainability News Roundup

The TakeAway: CalPERS to factor ESG issues in all its funds by mid-2011; GRI announces work on fourth generation reporting guidelines; and a BSR poll shows increased support for CSR/sustainability. Three developments this week demonstrate the rising acceptance of incorporating … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Interactive Technology, Sustainable Investing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Human Side of Sustainability

The TakeAway: Corporate sustainability thrives on authentic, ethical relationship management and communication skills, especially in digital environments. Progress happens when abstract sets of rules and laws meet real world human behavior.  Yet all too often, the former gets all the … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Sustainability, Interactive Technology, Stakeholder Engagement, Web 2.0 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Companies Failing to Engage Stakeholders Online

The TakeAway: New rankings on corporate online CSR communication and engagement classify US firms as “below average” Companies are failing to take full advantage of interactive technology for stakeholder engagement and reporting sustainability performance.  That’s the primary finding of the … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Interactive Technology, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainability Ratings, Web 2.0 | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Governance Galore

The TakeAway: New York Stock Exchange proposes ten corporate governance principles for management, boards, and shareholders—and suggests the need for regulating proxy advisory services. What comprises good corporate governance and investor stewardship?  These questions continue to pop up as regulators, … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Interactive Technology | 2 Comments

Turbo-Charged: How Web 2.0 Fuels the Power of Stakeholder Engagement

The TakeAway: CSR stakeholders want companies to use interactive tools for more real-time reporting, responsiveness, and relationship building. We live in a turbo-charged world of instant communication continually bombarding us, but we have yet to grasp the social and psychological … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Reporting, Interactive Technology, Stakeholder Engagement, Web 2.0 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

NOTABLE PEOPLE: Bob Monks and the Battle to Change Corporate America

The TakeAway: Bob Monks believes new corporate governance reforms fall short, but digital tools can help advance accountability goals. Robert A.G. Monks has a long history of pioneering work on corporate accountability.  From his tenure as first Department of Labor … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Sustainability, Interactive Technology, Investor Governance, Notable People, Proxy Voting, Public Policy, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainable Investing, Web 2.0 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Apple Opens the Way to X-Filing

The TakeAway: New iPhone XBRL application opens new windows into financial reporting; next up: sustainability reporting. Apple’s iTunes Store has joined the digital revolution in financial reporting.  Yesterday, it rolled out a new offering – it wasn’t a song, movie, … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Reporting, Interactive Technology, Public Policy, Web 2.0 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Four E’s of Social Media & Sustainability

The TakeAway: Sustainability Leaders Need to Use Social Media to Exchange, Educate, Engage, and Enhance. Social media has exploded within the past few years to become a fixture in our culture.  For example, Facebook’s network has mushroomed to 500 million … Continue reading

Posted in Corporate Governance, Corporate Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Interactive Technology, Proxy Voting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments