Renew and Commit

Responsible supply chains, engaged cultures on agenda for COMMIT!Forum 2015

By The Editors

You know that CR practices that used to be innovations only a few years ago (when we first put on this annual conference) are no longer innovative: Now they’re the table stakes.

You are expected to ante up transparency and comprehensive reporting; you’re expected to have a 
CR program and be able to discuss sustainability and shared value in a context of employee-engagement
 and business performance. Now companies have grown more sophisticated in what they expect from each other.

Similarly, employees have grown more sophisticated in what they expect from companies. And customers are more demanding, too.

To remain at the table, you’ll have to drive innovation in the CR, sustainability and shared-value space—through employee and customer engagement, and throughout your supply chain. If you’re in the B2B supply chain—and that’s most of us—consider setting aside Oct. 21-22 to meet with your peers at the annual COMMIT!Forum in New York.

During that time, we have two separate events:

• Our annual CEO of the Year Dinner, which involves
 a separate admission fee. Last year, we had more than 15 CEOs, one of the largest gatherings of major public company CEOs in the country. We heard from five CEO winners as they expressed in what ways they were able to get results through their organizations (and in fairness, to a person, they credited their teams and considered the wins to be “team awards.”) We expect a similar turnout, similar enthusiasm, and similar insights this year.
• Our annual COMMIT!Forum. That’s a two-day conference of senior execs, CR and sustainability pros, and subject experts who will share their best practices, lessons learned (and what to avoid), and their thoughts on upcoming trends. 
This year, we’ll have two days of our hand-picked experts offering their best insights into innovative CR practices. Whether in-depth workshops, interactive sessions, or 10-minute “lightning rounds,” these sessions have consistently scored high with attendees for their clarity and take-home value. 
And, of course, despite the great content, there will be plenty of time for you to network and catch up with your peers, as well as expand your professional network, by working with some of the best in the business. Follow the updates at www.commitforum.com. Let’s see you there! 
Here are some highlights planned for the event:
• CR Magazine’s 2015 Responsible CEO of the Year Awards Dinner & Reception. Thursday, Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This year’s awards dinner will be held at The Roosevelt Hotel, 45 East 45th Street & Madison Avenue in New York. A separate admission fee is required.

Each year, CR Magazine awards the prestigious Responsible CEO of the Year Award to CEOs from companies, NGOs, and governments who, during the previous year, put themselves at personal and professional risk in order to deliver on corporate responsibility promises. They also announce the winner of the Corporate Responsibility Lifetime Achievement Award that recognizes an individual whose risk-taking, vision and pioneering spirit have led to significant achievement in the field over the course of their career. This year, there is also a special CEO award that will be announced during the event itself.

This event usually draws more CEOs than almost any other conference. It’s hosted by Elliot Clark, CEO, SharedXpertise, Corporate Responsibility Magazine.

• One-on-One, onstage interview with a responsible CEO. Plenary session, Thurs., Oct. 22, 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. It can be argued that energy is the foundation
of the economy, and WEC Energy Group CEO Gale Klappa leads an energy company that has managed to meet tough reliability goals while producing energy more and more efficiently and cleanly. 
Wisconsin Energy also has a strong philanthropy program and has sponsored “Honor Flights,” which brings World War II veterans to the World War
II Memorial in Washington, D.C. CR Magazine’s
 CEO Elliot Clark will sit down with Klappa to
discuss WEC Energy’s approach to corporate responsibility. Featured presenters are Elliot Clark, CEO, SharedXpertise, CR Magazine and Gale Klappa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, WEC Energy Group.
• Shared Responsibility: An Exclusive CEO Panel. Plenary session, Thurs., Oct. 22, 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Four CEOs on-stage at the same time! They are scheduled to conduct a candid, open discussion on CR, sustainability and shared value as it affects their companies. Featured presenters scheduled include: William Cho, President and CEO, LG Electronics USA Inc.; Terri Ludwig, President & CEO, Partners & Chair, Investment, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.; Hamid R. Moghadam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Prologis; Jim Prokopanko, Former President and Chief Executive Officer, The Mosaic Company; and Ben Fowke, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Xcel Energy.
• Opening workshop. MGM Resorts International
is hosting a pre-conference workshop entitled, “Conducting CSR in Challenging Environments:
Key Lessons.” Wed., Oct. 21, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00
a.m. This is scheduled to be an interactive,
candid discussion about real obstacles facing CSR practitioners today, and participate in an engaging exercise designed to equip attendees with
practical tools for carrying out CSR in challenging environments. Companies are increasingly realizing the importance of corporate social responsibility— and one reason is consumer perception. According to a study conducted by Edelman, 76 percent of global consumers are more likely to purchase the products/services of a company that actively support a good cause (Edelman, “Good Purpose,” 2012).

Despite the rise of this type of supportive research, some CSR practitioners still find themselves
facing significant obstacles when it comes to elevating their companies’ demonstration of corporate citizenship. This may be the result of challenges presented to them by the geographic, demographic, economic and industry environments in which their organization resides.

• A breakout session entitled, “Brand & Reputation Management.” Wed., Oct.21, 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. MGM Resorts International’s Clark Dumont, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, MGM Resorts International, will host a discussion on one of the fundamental risks in failing to conduct business affairs responsibly: damage to brand and reputation.

On the upside, a good reputation for transparent and open dealings can strengthen your business, make you an “employer of choice” for the best candidates, and even help you weather storms when things go wrong. Panelists scheduled include: Maureen Kline, Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Pirelli Tire North America; Kristina Kloberdanz, Corporate Responsibility Leader, IBM; and Shaun Mickus, Executive Director, Corporate Citizenship & Community Relations, Johnson & Johnson.

• Keynote with Kai Kight. Plenary session, Wed.
Oct. 21, 1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Kai Kight is an innovative violinist, composer, and speaker who has inspired thousands to reach their own creative potential. With a diverse background, Kai holds
an engineering degree from Stanford University’s design school and as a violinist; he has performed in venues including the White House and the Great Wall of China. He’ll bring his unique insights to COMMIT!Forum and help prepare the way for a great conference.
• COMMIT!Forum Issue Tables. Wed., Oct. 21, 4:15 p.m. – 5 p.m. This is usually one of our most popular formats. Attendees (i.e., you) will meet with your peers to discuss some of the most challenging issues facing CR and sustainability pros today. You’ll get to sharpen your own thinking against that of your peers, and present your results. People usually find these enlightening as well as a great way to connect with their colleagues.
• Coffee … and not just coffee. Presentation showcase: “So much more than a cup of coffee by THRIVE. Wed., Oct. 21, 5:10 p.m. – 5:20 p.m. THRIVE is not just providing coffee, but presenting, too.
A founder of the company will describe the inside scoop on the coffee industry; specifically, how the existing industry needs improvement, especially for farmers. Ken Lander, Founder & Chief Sustainability Officer, THRIVE Farmers, will explain a new model in economic sustainability for farmers by fixing a “broken supply chain.”
• The Mosaic Company’s Leadership in Energy Management. Plenary session, Wed., Oct. 21, 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. The Mosaic Company’s mission is to help the world grow the food it needs. To meet the demands of a population that’s expected to reach nine billion people by 2050, the world’s food supply will have to double. Since over half of the world’s crop yields are attributable to fertilizer, Mosaic acknowledges the critical role it plays in meeting the world’s ever-increasing demand for food. Global agriculture, however, is expected to simultaneously increase crop yields and minimize environmental impacts. Mosaic is committed to approaching this charge sustainably.

Mosaic knows that lasting success comes from making smart choices about its stewardship of the environment, how its people are engaged, and
how it manages resources. Energy management
is one of the most important ways that Mosaic exhibits sustainability leadership: the three- pronged approach through cogeneration, improved conservation, and greater efficiency aims to lead the industry in reducing energy use and maximizing clean energy generation.

As the world’s largest supplier of phosphate and potash crop nutrients, Mosaic will share insights into its commitment to energy management and development of progressive energy targets, helping other companies learn lessons on how to manage their own energy footprints more effectively. Featured presenter: Neil Beckingham, Director, Sustainability, The Mosaic Company.

• Breakout session: When Good Intentions Aren’t Good Enough: De-Mystifying Supply Chain Sustainability. Wed., Oct. 21, 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. The director and development manager of sustainability and CR consultants Corporate Citizenship (www.corporate- citizenship.com/) will dig into a crucial issue for CR and sustainability pros: supply chain sustainability. It’s no longer enough to just set out a CSR policy or a supplier code of conduct and think you are doing the right thing. Today’s multinational, extended supply chains span continents, industries and issues. Whether choosing a specific issue to tackle, a particular standard to adopt, or understanding the most critical issues that are material to your business, there is no shortage of challenges within today’s global supply chains.

This session will take a deeper dive into the complexities of a sustainable supply chain. We
will help you understand how to prioritize your most important supply chain issues, measure your impact, and figure out the steps to move from
basic compliance to a mature approach that adds significant business value. The presenters ask: Are you ready to move beyond good intentions in your global supply chain? Featured presenters scheduled: Megan DeYoung, Director, Corporate Citizenship, and Oren Jaffe, Business Development Manager, Corporate Citizenship.

• Breakout session: Managing an Ethical Manufacturing Program in Asia Today. Wed., Oct. 21, 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Changing times: labor shortages, ever-higher costs, increased government scrutiny, regulation and enforcement. Carmel Giblin, President/CEO, ICTI CARE Foundation
is scheduled to speak about rapidly changing conditions, primarily within China (where 75 percent of the world’s toys are made)—and how those conditions affect the standards of labor treatment, health and safety.

Key: Understanding of the rising expectations of the new generation of factory workers, along with government’s increasing involvement, to ensure their well-being.

• Breakout session: Defining and Delivering the Return on Investment (ROI) from a Responsible Corporate Culture. Wed., Oct. 21, 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Building a responsible corporate culture pays dividends. That’s according to a landmark research study supported by Verizon and the Campbell Soup Company, and conducted by IO Sustainability and Babson College.

Researchers have found that a responsible culture delivers a wide range of financial and competitive benefits. This panel session will share the exciting findings from Project ROI. These findings include clear targets in dollar terms—targets that companies should expect their well-managed and strategic corporate responsibility (CR) efforts to deliver.

The findings also include specific dollar ROI metrics related to enhanced share price, increased revenue from sales, reduced operating costs, increased productivity, and enhanced brand and reputation. The presentation will not only show what kind of ROI to expect, it will also share lessons on the leading practices companies adopt to achieve these results.

The research will come to life through the experiences managers from leading companies such as Campbell Soup Company and others will share. Audience members will leave inspired, informed, and armed to integrate CR into their company’s culture.

This is because the research takes a major step forward to resolve the on-going debate. The issue is not whether a responsible culture generates financial value. Instead, the issue is how companies should manage to achieve the tremendous value-creating potential corporate responsibility possesses. Audience members will leave the session with specific takeaways on how they can create value. Featured presenters scheduled include:
 Niki King, Senior Manager, CSR Program Office, Campbell Soup Company, and Steve Rochlin, Co- CEO, IO Sustainability.

• Breakout session: Under the Lens: Claiming Green the Influence of Green Product Claims on Purchase Intent and Brand Perception. Wed., Oct. 21, 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Great sustainable product stories, told well, can generate enormous benefits. That’s why leading global brands have made effective communication of their sustainable products and processes a high priority. Telling a sustainability story is rife with risks. Make unsubstantiated claims and you can damage your brand’s reputation, as well as strain customer loyalty.

Do it right, though—i.e., communicating your sustainability efforts in a credible and compelling way—and you can influence consumer purchase intent and brand perception. How do you tell your product story effectively? That’s what UL Environment set out to uncover with a study, conducted by Shelton Group, which polled more than 1,000 consumers and conducted more than 41,000 head-to-head green product claim comparisons. In this presentation, you’ll hear key findings from that study and join a discussion about how to leverage this information to enhance your company’s sustainability story to drive greater brand value. The scheduled featured presenter is Mark Rossolo, Director of Public Affairs, UL Environment.

• Financial Impact of Sustainability DJSI Approach: Creating Benefits for Companies and Value for Investors. Wed., Oct. 21, 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Learn about RobecoSAM’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), the assessment methodology and approach powering the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). Robert Dornau, Senior Manager at RobecoSAM, will share valuable insights into the Company’s unique methodology to extract intangible sustainability information, translate it into financially material factors, and develop integrated financial valuation models.

This session will provide examples of how sustainability data can impact the financial value
of companies ranging from -23% to +71% of a company’s valuation. Furthermore, Dan Bross, Microsoft’s Senior Director Global Corporate Citizenship, will provide insights from a corporate perspective on the benefits of participating in the annual DJSI assessment. Participant will find out how Microsoft uses sustainability benchmarking to gain a credible external perspective on its ESG performance and transparency, and how this helps to prioritize and steer its sustainability efforts. Scheduled presenters include: Robert Dornau, Senior Manager, Sustainability Services Business, RobecoSAM; Dan Bross, Senior Director of Corporate Citizenship and Executive Director of the Microsoft Technology and Human Rights Center, Microsoft.

• Haul Assets, Not Wastes. Wed., Oct. 21, 5:20
p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Every business and household participates in the mindless, regularly scheduled activity of ridding our properties of obsolete assets – colloquially known as wastes. Plus, we feel good about contributing to single stream recycling bins – though research shows much of those items, because of contamination and poor sorting technique, end up in landfills.

Meanwhile, few concerted efforts are made to divert organic assets (leaves, grass trimmings, food prep and leftovers) from the landfill to more productive uses, such as compost feedstock. Additionally, and alarmingly, the water contained in those organics is also sent to highly regulated holes-in-the-ground while droughts occur more prevalently and frequently.

We need an immediate switch in our thinking of what waste is and how it should be rendered.

While municipalities debate banning plastic bags, they miss the fact that organics, and the water contained therein, are lost. Sure, we recycle aluminum cans, but at the same time deposit nutrients and moisture by the ton in landfill cells. We need to transform the garbage truck into an organics truck—one focused on the locally valuable assets and one that reduces the amount of waste.

The present system is based upon customer convenience and that is an unsustainable practice. Much like communities are investigating distributed energy in the form of self-generation, communities should establish local, indoor composting facilities and water reclamation industries to reduce the impact of climate change, drought, and changing weather patterns. The compost could be used in agriculture, local gardens and municipal parks
and recreation facilities, thus enhancing the local supply chain. Featured presenter: John Bernardo, Sustainability Strategist, Idaho Power Company.

• Waste Management presents “Talking Trash.” Thurs., Oct. 22, 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. “When your company is called Waste Management, and your customers
all talk about ‘zero waste,’ you better change your business model,” says WM CEO David Steiner. Fewer than 10 years ago, Waste Management embarked on a transformation to become more than a garbage company. Engaging in what Andrew Winston refers to as heretical innovation, WM asks customers to use less of their product, and has subject matter experts to help customers do just that. In 2013, only five percent of WM revenue was from landfills. In 2014, WM’s CSR report had a circular-economy theme. Today, WM 
has a CDP score of 97 and achieved a position in the S&P 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index. Come hear Sustainability Services Director Tom Carpenter “talk trash.”
• The Role of CSR Storytelling in Brand Management. Thurs., Oct. 22, 2:05 p.m. – 2:35 p.m. Research increasingly suggests that a company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) can 
improve its brand value in the eyes of consumers, 
employees, investors and other stakeholders. According to a study conducted by Edelman, 76 percent of global consumers are more likely to purchase the products/services of a company that actively supports a good cause (Edelman Good Purpose 2012).

To reap the greatest business benefits of CSR from consumers and other stakeholders, a company
must not only do good work, but also effectively communicate the good work being done. And although some companies might consider it presumptuous to tout their CSR prowess, consumers (86 percent) believe it is important for companies to share what they’re doing to address societal issues (Edelman Good Purpose 2012).

Join four seasoned chief communications officers for an insightful conversation about effective approaches corporations and NGOs can take
to best tell their CSR story and support brand management. Featured presenter scheduled: Clark Dumont, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, MGM Resorts International.

• How Making A Better World Creates A Superior Brand. Thurs., Oct. 22, 2:35 p.m. – 3:05 p.m. Yum! Brands Chief Public Affairs and Global Nutrition Officer Jonathan Blum will share why Yum!, as the Defining Global Company that Feeds the World, considers it their privilege and obligation to be a socially responsible company and to improve the lives of others especially those who may never know of Yum!

With efforts focused on food, people, community, and the environment, the company’s approach to
 CSR is global and driven by a philosophy that elevates quality of life to the first priority. In this session, you’ll hear not just how, but the inspiring why employees of Yum! and its three brands work for more sustainable commerce, the hope-making power of diversity, better nutrition and healthy lifestyles, building the bonds of community, and fighting hunger around the world in the most personal and passionate of ways. Featured presenter: Jonathan Blum, Senior Vice President, Chief Public Affairs and Global Nutrition Officer, Yum! Brands.

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