Category: Corporate Responsibility & Sustainable Growth
A Comprehensive Biden Environmental Agenda Must Include Water
Richard VanOrnum
As the Biden administration prepares to take the reins in Washington, one of the sharpest policy pivots is expected to be in environmental and climate policy. Water crises, including droughts and floods intensified by climate change, are among the greatest tangible risks to business and geopolitical stability...
Read morePhilanthropic Best Practices for Companies in 2021
Jennifer Butte-Dahl
Best practices in philanthropy are indeed shifting as we approach 2021. While there is no one organization doing it all perfectly, foundations looked to as leaders are in front of the trends and are working with urgency to address the broader range of historic criticisms of being “top-down, closed-door and expert-driven.”..
Read moreTrends and Tremors Shaping our World in 2021
Brad Staples
Smart businesses will spend next year embedding fully new structural changes, being more inclusive, and adapting to a new work mindset. While COVID-19 left an indelible mark on us all this year, 2021 will bring different, possibly greater, but certainly connected challenges...
Read moreThe Moment for a Global Water Movement
Richard VanOrnum
In 2021, it is time for water advocates to turn their Achilles’ Heel into their secret weapon, reaching outside their comfort zones to engage, enlist and activate new allies. It’s time to assert water’s connective place among the pressing issues—climate, food, energy, health—facing our blue planet, which is becoming more and more thirsty by the moment...
Read moreLooking Ahead to 2021: Key Business Sectors and Issues
Valeria Rubello
& Sumin Nam
& Theo Moore
& Robert W. Kopitsch
& Jeff Zelkowitz
Looking ahead to 2021, APCO Worldwide’s business experts analyzed potential trends and provided their predictions for the new year—examining the future of hospitality, global energy, financial technology and capital markets—where all signs point to continued focus on health, tech and safety...
Read moreWill 2021 Really be the Year for Women? It has to be.
Judit Arenas
& Nicole Monge
2021 is a time for long, overdue change. This is the year when everyone needs to take a hard look at what commitment they will make to promote gender equality and how they will action it. Because without action on these commitments, women will slip further into economic and societal inequality...
Read more2020 Proves Corporate Purpose is More Important Than Ever
Linda Barnhart
& Ben Marchman
Corporate purpose has increasingly become a watchword for companies looking to distinguish themselves in the modern era. 2020 has proved that the future is uncertain, change is ever-present and those companies that react quickly and adapt to uncertainties are better placed to come back stronger...
Read moreEurope Promises Technology-Neutral Pathway for Cutting Transport Emissions
Emma Brierley
& Leonardo Lucarno
The European Commission laid down its vision for the future of the transport sector by presenting a ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy’. This new and highly anticipated plan aims to strengthen the role played by the mobility ecosystem in pursuing the EU Green Deal by setting out various milestones for each mode of transport to ultimately become zero-emission...
Read moreThe Stories Behind Inequality and Why We Must Listen
Jordan Fieulleteau
It's hard enough hearing about the difficult experiences of people prior to COVID-19. Add a global pandemic, economic collapse and unemployment crisis on top of that and you understand just how disproportionate of an impact that systematic inequality has on the most vulnerable people in our society...
Read moreHow Europe Responded to the Black Lives Matter Movement
Helene Legay
& Silvia Perino Vaiga
The summer of 2020 felt like a historical turning point. As the pandemic continues to unravel across the region and disrupt every aspect of society, from workplaces to education, the unprecedented support for the Black Lives Matter movement in Europe offered a glimpse of hope...
Read moreReflection for Change: How Experiences Shape Perspective
Drake Brown
APCO’s Drake Brown shares his reflections on growing up as a Black man in American and steps companies and people need to take to have a worthwhile discussion about D&I...
Read moreUnderstanding and Tackling Voter Suppression
Dan Meyers
& Prashanth Rajan
Many companies are taking the extra steps to encourage their employees to vote. But, the next—and more significant—step to watch for is whether these companies will publicly advocate for proactive measures to expand access to voting at the state and local levels...
Read moreI Vote Because… Four Takes from APCO Team Members
Jordan Fieulleteau
& Michelle Rodriguez
& Prateek Allapur
& Katie Milgrom
APCO Worldwide’s adVOcaTE campaign consists of efforts designed to help get out the vote and elevate APCO employees’ voices as they advocate for what they believe in, during and beyond election year. Four members of the APCO family share their thoughts on why they’re voting this year. ..
Read moreFostering an Environment for Difficult Conversations
Kelly Williamson
2020 has shown that we must celebrate the good things, and perhaps as important, we must directly address the challenges. This means we have to be comfortable with having difficult conversations. ..
Read moreHow Brands Can Build Equity and Stay Authentic to Their Values
Allison Gittings
& Alyse Feldman
Here some critical principles for organizations to keep top of mind as they plan and execute new campaigns and optimize existing ones...
Read moreEmerging Themes of "The Radically Inclusive Future of Work"
Grace Boyle
The workplace of the future is still being defined and we must hold ourselves and each other accountable to creating a more inclusive workplace...
Read moreMoving Towards Employee Social Responsibility
Kanika Arora
Achieving the goal of social good is not merely a responsibility of those who occupy the corner office, but all employees, as it is their individual decisions and actions which drive an organization towards adopting ethical practices...
Read moreTransportation Companies Can Drive Better Employee Outcomes for Other Sectors by Getting Back to Work
Jason Meyer
Transportation companies have taken a range of measures to preserve the safety of their employees. With this experience, they can lead through the recovery to showcase what has worked and drive best practice adoption in other sectors...
Read moreMay’s Mental Health Awareness Month Hit Differently; What Will Summer Bring?
Dominique Scott
& Howard Pulchin
Mental health and mental wellbeing are obvious points of consideration during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. What have historically been taboo discussion topics—both inside and outside the corporate world—are now easily looming as a true known second-order health crisis...
Read moreMaking this Moment Matter
Denielle Sachs
The current crisis has brought to the fore some of the most salient issues we face as humanity. The decisions we make now will either leapfrog our progress on these major challenges or cause us to slide back in time as we retrench and de-risk...
Read moreBuilding the Next 100 Years of Women’s Empowerment
Margery Kraus
While stressing the importance of celebrating our past, The Next 100 focused on creating a better future for the next generation of young female leaders. I hope that crafting a new narrative through actionable steps will inspire our employees, current and future, to build this new reality...
Read moreThe Critical Role of HR Communication in Times of Crisis
Agnieszka Zieminska Yank
As the coronavirus outbreak rapidly progresses, HR departments across all companies can and should be fully engaged and at the forefront to demonstrate caring and become part of the solution. ..
Read morePurpose and Social Risk in the New Age of Leadership
Margery Kraus
The last decade has shown us that our world is getting more complicated, and as we begin 2020—and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the World Economic Forum (WEF)—it is an opportune time to reflect on the changing nature of corporate leadership...
Read moreCSR Leadership and Implications on Business Practices in Japan
Lea Chang
Japan serves as an important example of how local cultures and customs can impact a company’s strategy for corporate social responsibility and leadership in markets around the world...
Read moreTaking a Stand: How Companies Should Choose Their Messages
Evan Kraus
In today’s era of polarizing politics and gridlocked policy, companies’ ability to take a stand is becoming more important than ever before. While selecting an appropriate cause can be challenging, it can also be extremely rewarding, both financially and reputationally...
Read moreGlobal Leadership in 2020 and Beyond
Claudia Fritsche
Given the disruptive changes that we are witnessing in many parts of the world, the notion of leadership takes on a different meaning. Communication, emotional intelligence and soft skills are more important than ever before...
Read moreHow Foreign Companies Can Contribute to China’s Evolving CSR Landscape
APCO Forum
As part of a push for high quality development, the Chinese government has increased calls for sustainability and environmental protection under the umbrella of “green development.” Under this context, an increasing number of socially responsible domestic businesses have emerged to demonstrate their role in supporting government priorities...
Read more2020 Trends and Tremors
Brad Staples
I foresee 2020 being a year which crystallises change. Organisations that are slow to adapt to the increased focus on the value of business in society may find it hard to recover their position in the eyes of consumers and even their own workforce...
Read moreHow to Win the Future: Tips from Future Festival
Emily Coghlan
& Emilie Williams-Sinn
As the media partner for Future Festival Chicago, we had the opportunity to participate in this unique and inspiring all-day conference. Here are our main takeaways...
Read moreThe North Star for Navigating Through a Crisis
Jim Moorhead
Vision and values are a covenant with external stakeholders. They are the promise made, and C-suite leaders need to ensure that the company’s vision and values are a corporate hallmark not an Achille’s heel during a crisis...
Read moreWhat Would It Mean for Values to Drive Your Business?
Dale Vieregge
If you are truly committed to maximizing business performance, attracting and retaining the best talent, and contributing to a broader societal mission, then you also must do the work to define (or more ideally, co-create) your company’s core values, to establish internal programs and processes that reinforce them, and to integrate them into every aspect of the business, every expression of the brand. ..
Read moreHow Elite Universities Can Recover from Admissions Scandals
Pete Wentz
Following the admissions scandals at some of the nation’s most highly-regarded universities, including allegations that athletic coaches received payments to admit students who had little or no experience, the universities took many of the right steps that a crisis consultant would recommend...
Read moreThe UK’s Net-Zero Emissions Pledge Promises Opportunity
Gabriel Phillips
It has been almost nine months since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published its landmark report on global warming. The report shook the world with its warnings about the need to immediately cut carbon emissions or risk global catastrophe...
Read moreThe Importance of Corporate Vision and Values
Roger Hayes
The role of the CEO as a business or corporate diplomat for their company reflects a reset in politics, business and society...
Read moreRediscovering True Brand Purpose
Lauren O'Leary
For many, corporate purpose has been co-opted and exploited. So, what can brands do to change that and take a meaningful stance?..
Read moreCareer Readiness Becomes “Job One” for Colleges and Universities
Harlan Teller
Market pressures have made universities more mindful of the need to make sure that their graduates are job-ready. Colleges and universities are nurturing career readiness through employers, internships and innovative courses...
Read moreSocial Risk: Don’t Say It, Do It.
Mona Neuhauss
& Yaxi Lu
Taking a stance on social and political issues is no longer enough for corporate leaders to receive recognition and trust from the public and other stakeholders. It is actions that speak for corporations’ attitude and allow them to stand out from competitors...
Read moreSocial Risk: Insights from APCO’s IAC
Tim Kraus
& Steve Bartlett
& Elaine Kolish
& Nicholas Ashooh
& Orit Frenkel
To better understand the expectations placed on businesses by society and leaders today, we surveyed a select group of 16 members of APCO’s International Advisory Council (IAC), and asked them to share their perspective on social risk...
Read moreCan AI be Truly Unbiased and Inclusive?
David Sánchez Carmona
The expertise and frameworks to ensure that the mathematical foundation of AI and machine learning algorithms are ethical and fair has not kept up...
Read moreEU Pharma & the Environment: A piece of the PiE
Daniel Benjamens
Now that the EU's 'Strategic Approach to Pharmaceuticals in the Environment’ Communication is here, what should the pharmaceutical sector expect?..
Read moreWhat CEOs can Learn From University Presidents
Harlan Teller
The best university presidents are the ones who think in an agile way. And they can teach CEOs something about upping their own agility game...
Read morePerspectives From the 2019 UN Women's Summit
Judit Arenas
& Killian MacDonald
& Shivangi Gupta
This year’s annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women is rumored to be an even bigger gathering than the General Assembly with more than 9,000 representatives...
Read moreAchieving Balance Around the World
Margery Kraus
Closing the gender gap and achieving balance around the world requires different solutions for each market and industry. However, each of those solutions will require that we hold each other accountable...
Read moreW20: Helping Japan Balance for Better
Masayo Nagai
& Lea Chang
Although regarded as an innovative country in many ways, Japan still has a lot to learn when it comes to gender equality...
Read moreLeading with Purpose in the Business of Health
Nancy Turett
The reality is that companies in the business of health have their purpose built-in: they exist to generate health. The question their leaders need to ask themselves is not how do we define our purpose but rather, how do we deliver on it? ..
Read moreHow Companies Navigate the New Normal
Tina-Marie Adams
As corporate playbooks are getting re-written on a daily basis to keep up with this rapidly changing environment, companies are asking: How do I respond in this day and age? ..
Read moreIf President-elect Trump Calls (or Tweets)
Jim Moorhead
If President-elect Donald J. Trump calls – or tweets – are you ready? ..
Read moreHelping Brands Take a (Meaningful) Stand
Lauren O'Leary
Given the fraught political and social times we’re living in today, brands are stepping up to take a stand on issues seemingly more than ever. This is primarily due to consumers becoming more informed, louder and organized to put pressure on brands – all through the ubiquity of engagement on social media platforms...
Read moreA United 2026 World Cup
Tim Kraus
The United States, Canada and Mexico's winning bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup offers a tremendous opportunity for the host countries, the sport of soccer and brands looking to engage with the biggest tournament in international sports. ..
Read moreMichael Galfetti
The story of Pride today has changed. Instead of the desperate “Why don’t you do something?” the question of Pride 2018 has become: “What are you doing?.”..
Read moreBuy American, Hire American in the Private Sector
Bill Dalbec
Our research shows that 56 percent of Americans believe U.S. companies that do business overseas should follow a “Buy American, Hire American” philosophy in their own businesses. ..
Read moreThe New American Company
Bill Dalbec
To say that globalization is making the world smaller is a trite understatement. The fact is, globalization is blurring the lines between what’s “domestic” and what’s “foreign.”..
Read moreThe State of US Biopharma Industry Reputation
Chrystine Zacherau
This year, against the backdrop of rising populist sentiment, the pharmaceutical industry has had to confront a uniquely hostile socio-political environment...
Read moreLooking Ahead to the UN’s 2030 SDGs
James Robinson
The transition from the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the new 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—to be ratified at the UN General Assembly in September—is a significant milestone in the global development agenda. ..
Read moreCelebrity Activists Lend Lower Credibility to Companies
Katie Sprehe
Is a marriage of ideals with a celebrity activist a smart partnership? ..
Read moreInnovating Communication About Innovation
Katie Sprehe
Let’s face it, communicating on innovation is challenging for companies in any industry. ..
Read morePressing for Progress in Democratizing Nations
Lindsey Malcolm
By breaking the barriers to opportunity, women are empowered to forge their own paths in society. This opens the door for more women to bear political awza and ana over the future of their country. That is why we press for progress...
Read moreSuper Bowl LI Ad Roundup
Bill Dalbec
To say that Super Bowl advertisers were operating in a new era this year is a bit of an understatement. ..
Read moreMargery Kraus at Davos on Ending Corruption
Margery Kraus
APCO founder and executive chairman, Margery Kraus spoke about ending corruption on a panel at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting...
Read moreCorporate Reputation in the Trump Administration
Katie Sprehe
In 2017, many large corporations will face a delicate balancing act. ..
Read moreSharedPurpose
James Robinson
Here is what we expect to be important for multinationals navigating China’s business and policy landscapes in 2018. ..
Read moreLooking to 2020: PACs Could Turn Into Liabilities for Companies
Pete Wentz
With the increasing demands from the public on knowing more about how a corporation behaves as a “citizen,” PACs engaging in the political process are bound to come under heightened scrutiny...
Read moreStarbucks Turns Their Response Into Action
APCO Forum
On Tuesday, Starbucks announced it would close 8,000 stores for racial-bias education training May 29...
Read moreWhat Trends Will Dominate 2019?
Brad Staples
2018 was a long year. Many global businesses are ill prepared for an increasingly challenging global regulatory environment, to respond to complex social issues and especially to geopolitical threats and political uncertainty. But those that are better prepared, will be better insulated from unforeseen global shocks...
Read more2019 Trends: Views from APCO’s Global Experts
Brad Staples
& Rachael Siefert
& James Tyrrell
& Alexandra Lazorchak
& Travis Bullard
& Jeff Zelkowitz
& Alison Patch
& Andre Smith
& Jay Solomon
& Aftan Snyder
& Nicholas Whyte
As the global business and political communities prepare to turn the page to 2019, APCO’s team of global experts took a closer look at trends in areas key to businesses and our clients...
Read moreCreating Transformational Learning Experiences in the Digital Workplace
Courtney O’Connell
Anyone with a video camera and an LMS can create online training programs for their company, but is that enough?..
Read moreSkills-based Philanthropy Builds Corporate Teams
Anna Blyth
& Iris Shaffer
When a team volunteer opportunity is skills-based, it’s often even more impactful, both to the organization or people being served and the volunteers...
Read moreDiversity Matters. But Not as an End in Itself.
Alexander M. Wegner
Embracing difference means not cataloguing diversity under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, but acknowledging its impact on the bottom line...
Read moreTwo Cheers for ESG from U.S. Regulators
Jeff Zelkowitz
ESG investing has become impossible for regulators to ignore. With the market moving fast, regulators are beginning to co-develop common practices and frameworks that have, until now, largely been left up to companies, shareholders and financial market participants...
Read moreCelebrating Women’s Equality Day 2020
Margery Kraus
To help commemorate Women's Equality Day, we hosted a special conversation featuring Irene Khan, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and Opinion, to discuss COVID’s disproportionate impact on women, the changing expectations of balancing work and family life and the work still ahead to ensure women’s equality...
Read moreDeveloping Future Generations Through Diversity & Inclusion
Dominique Scott
& Imara Bright-Johnson
& Drake Brown
& Nicole Hamilton
Four APCO colleagues share their impressions and takeaways from ColorComm Network's NextGen Conference, November 2019...
Read moreImplications of China’s Green Policy for Manufacturers
Toby Tanner
China’s participation in the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, held at the UN Headquarters in New York on September 23, marks another major milestone in the development of China’s environmental protection policies...
Read moreHow Agile Companies Will Attract Gen Z
APCO Forum
As new generations enter the workforce, what can APCO and others do to improve communication within teams and throughout offices?..
Read moreWorking for Balance: 2019 Advice Report
Grace Boyle
APCO’s North America 2019 Women’s History Committee created a report featuring advice, anecdotes and insights from our colleagues in North America about growing your career, mitigating bias, closing the gender gap and the workplace of the future...
Read moreHealth Care Leaders are not Prepared for the Future
Alexandra Lazorchak
& James Tyrrell
To better understand the future of health care, and the challenges the industry faces, we surveyed a select group of 18 members of APCO’s International Advisory Council (IAC) and Health Advisory Board (HAB)...
Read moreSuper Bowl LIII Ad Review
Bill Dalbec
Bill Dalbec, managing director of APCO Insight, takes a closer look at the Super Bowl LIII ads and what they mean for the brands behind them...
Read moreHow Leaders Can Be Effective Advocates in 2019
Dan Meyers
Leaders can be more effective advocates for their company, employees, shareholders, stakeholders, or constituents by considering several key approaches to be mindful of in 2019. ..
Read moreHow Davos Sets the 2019 Leadership Agenda
Margery Kraus
The World Economic Forum continually demonstrates that we don’t wait for progress—we create it. The world will look to the outcomes of the World Economic Forum as a milestone in global progress. Let’s set the stage of a new agile world...
Read moreActive Leadership with Views from APCO’s Global Team
Margery Kraus
Given that active leadership is such a key component to organizational agility, members of APCO’s global team took a closer look at which leaders are best positioned to succeed in a range of sectors and industries...
Read moreIAC Insights on Global Leadership
Margery Kraus
Agility is key for businesses, organizations and governments to be successful in today’s complex and interconnected global environment. To better understand leadership in 2019, we surveyed a select group of 23 members of APCO’s International Advisory Council (IAC), and asked them to share their perspective on the current state of global leadership...
Read moreA Look Ahead to 2019 with Views from APCO’s Global Team
Brad Staples
As the global business and political communities prepare to turn the page to 2019, APCO’s team of global experts took a closer look at trends in areas key to businesses and our clients...
Read moreThree Pieces of Advice for Women Entrepreneurs
Margery Kraus
I feel I have a tremendous responsibility to train and mentor the next generation of women leaders at all stages of their careers, not just in our profession but in business generally. ..
Read moreParis Post Trump
Lana Osher
& James Robinson
In Brussels, the EU capital that Trump once referred to as a hellhole, the president’s decision to ditch the Paris climate agreement is met with outcry, but also with determination...
Read moreBuilding Support for Improving Infrastructure
Prashanth Rajan
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the U.S. economy could lose upwards of $4 trillion in GDP and 2.5 million jobs because of the “infrastructure gap.”..
Read moreTake A Look In The Mirror
Margery Kraus
International Women’s Day is certainly a time of reflection for many and I am no exception...
Read moreA Look Back at Pride
Brad Staples
Now we are at the end of June, we should take a moment and appreciate the importance this month has for so many people around the world. ..
Read moreRecruiting and Retaining Top Women in STEM
Devyn McDonald
& Kaleb Pittman
In 2017, the talents of women remain deeply underrepresented in STEM fields around the United States. ..
Read moreChina's Foreign NGO Management Law
APCO Forum
On April 28, China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, passed the Foreign NGO Management Law (Chinese/English), the third draft of a law which had already received widespread criticism for moving foreign NGOs operating in China from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Civil Affairs to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), China’s police and security authority. ..
Read moreContinuing the Fight
Isabel Bruce
Although this year marked 100 years since (some) women were granted the right to vote in the UK, gender equality has still not been achieved. The World Economic Forum currently estimates that it could take another 217 years to get there. Just last year, the UK gender pay gap stood at 9.1%...
Read moreDavos 2018 Key Trends and Analysis
Anna Tunkel
Each Davos presents a fascinating learning and comparative perspective: on evolving global policy issues and business initiatives, disruptive technologies, innovators, but most importantly puts in perspective all of these trends and their implications on our society at large...
Read moreThe Risk of Being Left Behind
Brad Staples
There is a role for corporate expertise and knowledge to play in shaping the responses to global challenges. Multinationals will have to find a way to become engaged in this fast moving and turbulent environment, making their voices heard. Or they risk being left behind...
Read moreWhat's Shaping the Role of Business in Society
Julie Jack
In this video, Julie Jack, senior director within APCO’s Sustainable Growth & Corporate Responsibility practice, discusses the changing expectations for companies today. ..
Read moreWhat's Next for Consumer Advocacy Programs
Katy Patton
Conversations about your brand are happening in every nook and cranny of the Internet — among friends, family, colleagues and individuals who influence the opinions of millions of followers. There’s value and risk, in those conversations, which is why executives around the globe are showing increased interest in adding consumer advocacy programs to their marketing mix. Why is this critical for your brand?..
Read moreThe Best Corporate Advocacy Starts at Home
APCO Forum
Our research, as well as Fortune's, shows that employees are the centerpiece to any true expression of commitment to global citizenship...
Read moreEngagement is Critical to Employment Strategy
Kimberly Gardiner
In recent years, recruitment and retention has crept to the top of the list of the most pressing issues facing communicators at brands, organizations and firms. It's also a major concern for companies in nearly every sector. ..
Read moreIndustry: We can be a lot More Efficient on Energy
Claire Boussagol
The recent European Commission Clean Energy jumbo package, and more specifically the Energy Efficiency Directive component thereof, was the topic of an APCO Forum debate in Brussels...
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APCO Forum blog posts represent the voice of the author and not necessarily the corporate position or policy of APCO Worldwide.