The Conference Board Middle East and North Africa Briefs

Positive social impact, the result of a company’s efforts to do good directed towards solutions to important problems, is more impactful when a company integrates those efforts with their core competencies and through their products and services. Many corporations’ efforts have been adjacent to the company’s business, or “bolted on.” A “built-in” ethos, where the company works to create value for both the bottom line and the outside world has strong long-term success implications for both.

There’s an astounding number of nonprofits in the world today. We’re talking millions. In many ways, that’s a good thing: It signals not only that there is an ever-increasing number of ways to get involved in social good, but also that people are standing up and trying to make a difference. And it’s no secret that the world needs this kind of social action now more than ever.

In 2015, Pearson launched the “Every Child Learning” partnership with Save the Children to deliver high-quality education to Syrian refugees and vulnerable children in Jordan, and to innovate new solutions that improve the delivery of education in emergency and conflict-affected settings. We are doing this through a combination of program funding, collaborative R&D, and joint advocacy.

Currently senior vice president, corporate secretary, and general counsel of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Robert Bostrom has spent the past three decades working in the corporate legal field. As part of The Conference Board board member job description series, he shares his perspective on the corporate director's job.

It’s impossible to avoid the furor surrounding cryptocurrencies these days. Looking beyond the price fluctuations of crypto markets, examining the blockchain infrastructure that supports the currencies is a fascinating exercise. The use of blockchain in companies has some interesting implications for citizenship and philanthropy. Blockchain could add a level of transparency and authenticity to corporate practices and resulting communications that could help to rebuild trust in business.

In its 2018 Trends to Watch report, MSCI says “investors will increasingly seek to invest in talent quality,” even to the point of evaluating companies by “sifting out winners and losers in the race for human capital.” The focus on human capital is driven by the growth in artificial intelligence—with many routinized tasks becoming automated, people will be required to use “higher level cognitive, creative and social skills in their evolving role.”

EY Community Impact provides an immersive volunteer experience that delivers EY services to nonprofits that otherwise could not afford them. During one- to three-month assignments, Community Impact “Residents” share the best of EY’s knowledge and experience to strengthen our communities, while building leadership skills that strengthen their own careers.

Following a largely successful 2017, emerging markets could very well continue making strong economic progress in 2018. This year, it’s evident the growth of many developing economies will hinge on six main factors.

We are pleased to announce that the Giving in Numbers 2018 survey, conducted by CECP in association with The Conference Board, is now open. The annual survey is the industry-leading tool for corporate societal engagement professionals. The survey closes on March 30, 2018.

America’s Charities’ 2017 Snapshot survey found nearly six in 10 workplace donors want to work for companies where the culture supports giving and volunteering. That’s a significant number—and it shows that today’s employees are placing a high value on charitable opportunities in the workplace.