Wednesday August 8th 2012, 8:00am-10:30am PDT/ Streamed Panel Discussion: 8:30am-10:00amPDT/ 11:30am-1:00pm EDT/ 17:30-19:00 (Paris-Frankfurt)

As reporting becomes increasingly prevalent for corporate social responsibility, brands recognize the need for a positive relationship with customers and stakeholders. Ben & Jerry’s, GAP and Nike are examples of companies who have embraced this, and currently have best practices in place to create dialogue and transparency as it relates to operations, supply chain, and organizational structure.

What is good reporting, and how is data purposed? How do you communicate your sustainability strategy and tell the story? What are some of the new tools in sustainability reporting? How does sustainability reporting engage stakeholders? What is the value of sustainability reporting?

As sustainability becomes more relevant, how does increasing visibility mitigate risk in brand reputation and how does positive or negative brand awareness affect a corporation? What are some methods to mitigating risk?

On August 8th, we will discuss the considerations that sustainable corporations must evaluate in order to remain competitive, and present case studies that demonstrate the value of responsible reporting.

Discussion outline:

1.         Why communicate?

• Why communicate? Risk mitigation? Brand performance?
• What are the key benefits to communicating CSR/Sustainability?
• What are the key risks?

2.         Communicating CSR and Sustainability

• What techniques or channels have been used to communicate CSR/sustainability activities?
• How does this differ for different audiences? What about employees?
• Is CSR/sustainability communication integrated through the business – CR team, brand team, or CEO/leadership?

3.         Content

• What are companies communicating?
• Through what means are they communicating and why?
• What is the CSR/sustainability communication’s relationship to the core brand?

4.         Sustainability Reporting

• What story does your report tell?
• How do companies try to make reporting more accessible and engaging (format, video, social media)?
• Who is a sustainability report aimed at?  How do you engage stakeholders in your report?

Speakers:

  SAP, Ephi Banaynal dela Cruz, Global Director, Sustainability Management & Strategy

  Hewlett Packard, Ellen Jackowski, Environmental Sustainability Strategy & Futures Planning

Moderator:

  GlobeScan: James Morris, Associate Director, CSR & Sustainability

Location:

 The Hearst Building - 5 Third Street, 2nd Floor Conference Room, San Francisco 94103