The new standard of corporate sustainability goes way beyond recycling and energy efficiency. Today’s business leaders embed social and environmental impact into an organization’s value chain to drive performance and competitive advantage. In order to prepare students at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland for the opportunities and challenges of corporate sustainability, the Center for Social Value Creation (CSVC) hosted its first ever Sustainability Roundtable Lunch & Learn last week.
CSVC has with partnered with Jeff Senne, Director of Corporate Responsibility at PwC, to create a space for students to explore cutting edge and emerging opportunities in corporate sustainability. Discussions are led by Senne who has over 30 years of industry experience, but are designed for students to voice their own thoughts and questions. This was the first Lunch & Learn of a series of Sustainability Roundtable discussions that will take place throughout the Fall, 2014 semester.
The conference room was packed with twelve MBAs and three staff as Senne kicked off the discussion with a brief introduction and a high-level overview of how sustainability is viewed by different companies. The conversation expanded to include a challenge that companies should be doing more when it comes to sustainability, and raising the question of whether regulation should be the driving or supporting force in moving corporate sustainability objectives forward. Finally, the group discussed the future of corporate sustainability and the need for a clearer, more articulate vision of success when it comes to achieving a grand vision of sustainability among corporations, government, and nonprofits.
The session wrapped up with a quick brainstorm of future discussion topics, including:
- How to distinguish legitimate corporate sustainability initiatives and investments.
- Examples of CSR and Corporate Sustainability being done well, within industry.
- How employees can become effective champions of the triple bottom line.
- Key building blocks of the business case for sustainability.
Three additional Sustainability Roundtables are planned throughout the semester. If you’re interested in joining, please email Kim R. Glinka to rsvp: krobertella@rhsmith.umd.edu
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About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.