February 2015

Salesforce CEO Slams ‘The World’s Dumbest Idea’: Maximizing Shareholder Value

dunce.psd
Forbes
By Steve Denning
February 5, 2015

“We have an imperative,” says Benioff, endorsing the vision of Professor Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum “to shift from creating shareholder value to stakeholder value…corporate management isn’t just accountable to shareholders… business must focus on serving the interest of all stakeholders – customers, employees, partners, suppliers, citizens, governments, the environment and any other entity  impacted by its operations.”

 

What Apple Just Did In Solar Is A Really Big Deal

aaple solar
Bloomberg Business
February 11, 2015

One year ago Apple CEO Time Cook responded to a climate-change heckler at the company’s annual shareholder meeting where he famously told investors who care only about profits to “get out of the stock.” Now, in another bold move, Apple has made an agreement to purchase $850 million in solar energy, enough to power all of Apple’s California stores, offices, headquarters and a data center. The deal isn’t only about reducing their carbon footprint though, Mr. Cook also says, “We expect to have a very significant savings.”

 

Climate Change’s Bottom Line

Climate Change 2
The New York Times
By Burt Helm
January 31, 2015

Rising temperatures in coming decade could sharply reduce US crop production and reshape the nation’s agriculture industry, according to a new climate change analysis from the Risky Business Project. The group was created by Henry Paulson, US Treasury Secretary under President George W. Bush, and hedge-fund billionaire Tom Steyer. The report states that corn and wheat output in Midwest states could face an 11% to 69% decline over the next if temperatures continue to rise and farmers don’t find a way to adapt.

 

Year Through Poor Packaging Policies

package
Environmental Leader
February 2, 2015

A new study from As You Sow and the Natural Resources Defense Council reports that brands like KFC, MillerCoors, Kraft Foods and others are wasting valuable materials through poor packaging practices, to the tune of $11.4 billion a year. The report looked at packaging practices of 47 fast food chains, beverage and consumer goods companies and highlights issues that companies and consumers face when considering sustainably packaged materials. For example, the report found that of all recyclable packaging sold, only about half ends up actually being recycled.