Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
Today’s guest blogger is James Baehr, who heads up the IT Strategic Sourcing practice at Greybeard Advisors LLC, and is also one of our trainers in Strategic Sourcing and Negotiations Management. Jim has had management roles in IT sales, IT operations, and IT procurement at major firms, before joining Greybeard. Jim can be reached at: Baehr@GreybeardAdvisors.com.
The Institute of Supply Management has, for several years, taken a leadership role in supporting supply chain professionals in meeting the expectations associated with sustainability and social responsibility. The 2nd Annual ISM Sustainability and Social Responsibility Conference was a reinforcement of the group’s commitment. The event supported a solid agenda with exceptional speakers, all of whom are dedicated to the principles and importance of sustainability and CSR.
Both sustainability and CSR are geographically ubiquitous and politically potent. Companies will only be as “green” as they choose to be. Any company that is looking for future growth must rely on acquiring and keeping loyal customers with spending power. Customers are looking to align with companies that demonstrate vision and integrity.
Supply professionals are finding themselves on the front lines of these moral and economic imperatives and, as such, are uniquely positioned to make a real difference. It’s not easy to be in the center of a paradigm shift. The immediate reaction of most companies is that movement toward either program will cost money and have a negative impact on profitability. The reality is that independent research confirms a “green” supply chain can, and does reduce costs.
Supply professionals must accept that our role has expanded well beyond day to day buying duties. We need to think globally and act strategically. Doing so will keep our profession relevant and continue to reinforce our value. Being advocates who increase awareness of the need for sustainability and CSR is a responsibility, and not something that we “look into tomorrow.”
In the weeks to come, we will run several blogs on how to make this transformation happen.
