During transition we organized a theme night with the Amsterdam trainees on CSR. I was in a group with Henrique (former MCP Brazil) who has a great passion for this topic. We were discussing whether companies implement CSR policies out the goodness of their hearts or more profit purposes. And does it really matter what the drivers are as long as it happens? Finally we also talked about the future role of companies in the world. Is the world evolving towards a different societal model with companies taking the lead? Anyways, hopefully some food for thought.
See the current situation, based on a survey by KPMG.


Results of a survey by KPMG
Summary of major findings

1. Increase: Corporate responsibility reporting has been steadily rising since 1993 and it has increased substantially in the past three years. In 2005, 52 per cent of the Global 250 compared to 45 per cent in 2002. If annual financial reports with CR information are included, this percentage climbs to 64 per cent.

2. Type of reporting There has been a dramatic change in the type of CR reporting, which has changed from purely environmental reporting up until 1999 to sustainability (social, environmental and economic reporting), which has now become mainstream among G250 companies (70%) and is fast becoming so among N100 companies (50%).

3. Top countries At national level, the two top countries in terms of separate CR reporting are Japan (80%) and the United Kingdom (71%). The highest increases in the 16 countries in the survey are seen in Italy, Spain, Canada, France and South Africa. There have been significant decreases in Norway and Sweden.

4. Industry sectors Industrial sectors with relatively high environmental impact continue to lead in reporting. At global level (G250), more than 80 per cent of the companies are reporting in the electronics, utilities, automotive and gas sectors. But the most remarkable is the financial sector, which shows more than a two-fold increase in reporting since 2002.

5. Business drivers The survey analysed G250 reports of the Global 250 companies to determine why companies are committed to corporate responsibility and what influenced the content of the reports. It concluded that business drivers are diverse, both economic (75 per cent) and ethical (50 per cent). The top three are innovation and learning, employee motivation, and risk management and reduction.
(http://www.ameinfo.com/63633.html)

feest oma

feetsmam85036
Originally uploaded by floorschmeitz.

My grandmother turned 85 last sunday. To celebrate we had a big family reunion. She expected only the direct family to be there, children and grandchildren, but as a surprise we invited her sisters and her best friend. How amazing is that, 85 and sitting at your birthday with your best friend?

Graduation

My best friends had her graduation party yesterday. While writing her a letter I realized how much of our studentlife we spent together.

We had a lot fun in Tilburg together, going to bars, partying, drinking etc. But it wasn't only this that we shared. We kinda grew up together. When we left for Tilburg, she one year later than me, we were 18 years old, green and spoiled. Yesterday we were looking at eachother, realizing we are 25 now, she just started her first job and looking for a nice flat, and really realizing that it is over. We are now at the beginning of a new life.

It was not only this that made this party kinda special. Since I do not come back to my parents place a lot, I have not really talked to people for years. It was really fun seeing all of these faces that I had not seen for a while. I talked to my former handbalcoach, my teammates, my schoolmates, old friends, friends parents and current friends.

Overall, it was a good night, time to move on.

For one my classes, international business, I saw a very interesting and funny movie. The movie is called "Gung Ho". It is about a US car factory that went bankrupt. A town representative goes to a big multinational in Japan, pleading for them to buy the plant and start production again.

One of the first scenes is already hilarious, clearly showing differences between the American and Japanese culture. A Japanese manager is obliged to take a management course and is screaming at the top of his longs, that he is sorry for everything, he is stupid, he is incompetent and very obedient. Although obviously a ritual, the merican guy casually walks in, padding the Japanses manager on the back and asks where he can find the Board of Management. He does not recognize how out of place he is or the ritual that he just disturbed.

The entire movie is filled with these kind of misunderstandings. It is funny at times but also a good illustration (although exxagarated) of problems when doing international business.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZS1rawoWB4

Book tip!!!!

I am reading a very interesting book, written by the British journalist Robert Fisk. It is about recent history in the Middle-East and its interlinkages. Anyways, defenitely an "interesting to read".

The title is: The great war for civilization- the conquest of the Middle-East

musquito annoyance and the devil wears prada

Last night I rediscoverd how much I hate musquitos. Do you know that feeling of discomfort when you are almost falling into a deep sleep and you hear the uncomfortable zzzzzz in your ear???? Last night a musquito just kept me up troughout the night and it bit me 3 times, once in the face. Now the entire day my face and my arm stings and i am constantly reminded of my hatred for these little bugs. What is their function anyway?? Do they even have one in the chain of evolution?

Anyways, went to the movie "The devil wears Prada" yesterday. The storyline was rather thin but loved the shoes, the clothes and the bags. It was rather funny to observe the reactions in the movie theatre. When they showed the room where the magazine stores all their clothes, shoes and bags, you could hear an actual sigh in the theatre. And when the cute guy was first shown, all the girls started giggling. I think these reactions illustrate what a so-called chick-flick is all about. Anyways, am going to bury myself tonight in Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Elle magazines and pick clothes & accesoires I am going to buy when I have a salary.

Got me thinking that I should visit London or Paris soon, hehe............... To be continued!