The ESG premium has once again surfaced as most critical. ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance issues. Management consulting giant McKinsey in its study found out that about eighty- three percent of C- suite leaders surveyed expect ESG values to contribute more to their business in the next five years. Among them, it is environmental programmes that are set to have the greatest long- term value. Regarding complying with the regulations, there isn’t much of a difference between B2B or B2C companies. But when it comes to putting in place a long term corporate strategy, it is the latter than tend to significantly do well. Overall, more needs to be done in this regard. B2B players though are doing better in creating new revenue streams by leveraging the ESG parameters.

Source:https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/the-esg-premium-new-perspectives-on-value-and-performance

Uploaded Date:31 March 2020

Technology companies are expected to be hit pretty hard in the upcoming COVID- 19 inspired recession. While supply infrastructure remains healthy, and consumer demand is also pretty strong, none are able to function. This is as a result of the enforced lockdown across the world. A certain “China + n” corporate strategy has been deduced, which could prove to be the solution to insure supply chains, that are expected to come under much threat post this crisis. On the positive side, the next generation of technologies, that were expected to be brought in gradually, have experienced a sudden bump. It is not yet clear, but soon the world will be able to separate out the winners and losers of this pandemic.

Source:https://hbr.org/podcast/2020/03/technology-companies-and-the-new-recession?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=dailyalert_activesubs&utm_content=signinnudge&referral=00563&deliveryName=DM74559

Uploaded Date:31 March 2020

There is much debate now on whether this ongoing COVID- 19 outbreak is a so- called Black Swan event, or whether such will be the normal for the foreseeable future. The outbreak has experienced an exponential rise. Pollution levels and planetary limits will also determine much of this. Companies need to see the bigger picture, so they need to shape their corporate strategy is such a manner. Diseases like the one at present, are inextricably linked to climate change. These companies will also need to display economic resilience during such black swan moments. Some discoveries may be made along the way, on how we travel and interact. Businesses need to occupy centre stage away from the political and policy sidelines.

Source:https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/is-the-covid-19-outbreak-a-black-swan-or-the-new-normal/

Uploaded Date:24 March 2020

The COVID- 19 pandemic has brought back old fears about the viability of the globalized supply chains. In case there is a contraction in the same, there will also need to be a redesign in the policy over subcontracting, which has been flourishing. It has been so popular thanks primarily to the increased sophistication now needed for manufacturing. Specialists are then most valued during the talent recruitment process. Good and services that are trade-able have also increased in number. While reassessing the supply chain risk, the policy makers will need to consider regionalization. This will ensure specialization, while also allowing for reduced exposure to such risks. Additional safety stocks or second sources need to be developed. The scale and product mix, likewise needs a rethink.

Source:https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/is-it-time-to-rethink-globalized-supply-chains/

Uploaded Date:24 March 2020

The first two decades of this century have seen much change to the working environment. For one, the overall employment figures have risen, though the markets are more polarized than ever before. Talent recruitment hasn’t abetted, but real wages haven’t risen. There is good news for the consumers, in the sense that discretionary goods and services are now cheaper. Other basics including housing though have risen in pricing. Even though they now matter more than ever before, institutional and individual savings have stagnated. Instead of embracing their true responsibility, institutions have shifted the same to individuals. The presence within the diverse socio- economic groups is largely determining the real outcomes for consumers, savers and workers. This is in many ways, how the social contract is being adapted for the ongoing century.

Source:https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/social-sector/our-insights/the-social-contract-in-the-21st-century

Uploaded Date:24 March 2020

The Fast Times Benchmark has been released. This will help companies assess where they stand in terms of their digital transformation prowess. The business research has been designed in a way, so that the survey lasts for barely twenty minutes. Once the scores are known, recommendations may be received from the in- house management consulting experts. This strategy and execution is known to have worked very well as a sixteen percent positive impact has been noticed. Digital leaders start off by setting the right direction. Then they test and learn. Finally, one needs to adapt to the circumstance in order to be able to execute the work. Diving deeper then involves researching on a digital hyper- speed.

Source:https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/fasttimes/overview

Uploaded Date:11 March 2020

Companies all across sectors and geographies, are now looking to boost their credibility in terms of the trust they enjoy. This is true both with customers as well as their employees, for whom more suitable talent management terms are being explored. One way in doing this is by allowing them discretion over how they want their work to be done. Job crafting is another such technique. This could also lead to facilitation of the whole- person growth. A recent report released post a decades’ worth of data being studied, by marketing research firm Gallup, clearly points to the eroding trust factor. In order to manage this growing stress, companies would do well to recognize excellence, as it boosts employees’ confidence levels as well. A sense of “challenge stress” could be induced. Information within the organization, unless confidential, needs to be shared broadly. There need to be means by which companies can help employees build relationships. Vulnerability must not be dismissed as weakness, but a step in trying to learn the trade better. The return on trust is immense, as such firms have been noted for far better performances.

Sourcehttps://hbr.org/2017/01/the-neuroscience-of-trust?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=hbr&utm_medium=social

Uploaded Date:29 January 2020