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ABOUT THE BOOK
Stung by corporate scandals, many companies have begun integrating terms
like sustainable business, conscious capitalism, and corporate citizenship into
their annual reports. Is it mere greenwashing or are businesses today really
mending their ways? Can corporate social responsibility become the new gold
standard in business? In Cause for Success, Christine Arena finds reasons to be
optimistic while she examines new business paradigms for doing good and
translating that good into profit. From Hewlett-Packard to British Petroleum to
Stonyfield Farm and the Grameen Bank, the book profiles two case-study companies
per chapter, exploring radical ideas about why ethics-driven companies are
today's business trendsetters, how standing up for social justice garners
competitive advantage, the bottom-line benefits of serving the world's poor, the
potential business rewards of philanthropic partnerships, as well as how some of
the worst corporate citizens have become some of the best.
From the Publisher
Stung by corporate scandals, many companies have begun integrating terms like
"sustainable business," "conscious capitalism," and "corporate citizenship" into
their annual reports. Is it mere greenwashing or are businesses today really
mending their ways? Can corporate social responsibility become the new gold
standard in business? In Cause for Success, Christine Arena finds reasons to be
optimistic while she examines new business paradigms for doing good and
translating that good into profit. From Hewlett-Packard to British Petroleum to
Stonyfield Farm and the Grameen Bank, the book profiles two case-study companies
per chapter, exploring radical ideas about why ethics-driven companies are
today’s business trendsetters, how standing up for social justice garners
competitive advantage, the bottom-line benefits of serving the world’s poor, the
potential business rewards of philanthropic partnerships, as well as how some of
the worst corporate citizens have become some of the best.
From the Author
My initial objective in conducting research for Cause for Success was to examine
the optimal relationship between "charity" and the modern corporation. What
makes corporate philanthropy programs thrive? What do companies stand to gain
from attacking serious world problems? What does society stand to gain? And what
does this mean for the future of capitalism? These are some of the questions
that I sought to answer.
At the onset of this project, I had no idea how potent the
findings would be. I was stunned by the passion and devotion that some of the
world’s most renowned corporate leaders conveyed in addressing these matters. I
did not realize how crucial service could be to a company’s ability to sustain
profitability and achieve greatness. I had also underestimated how critical it
is that every company, regardless of size or industry, reassess its approach
both to philanthropy and business success in general. Voluntary evolution, it
turns out, is a necessary means of survival.
Today I am totally convinced that we are in the midst of a
sweeping transformation. Strategic corporate responsibility is changing the face
of business. Like the rise of the Internet, it presents a new playing field with
advanced rules. Companies that use it wisely gain competitive edge and growth
opportunities, while companies that ignore its significance eventually lose
ground and face greater challenges. Corporate good deeds are not just a nice
thing to do. They are among the wisest things a company can do.
From the Inside Flap
Cause for Success distills the wisdom and achievements of innovative companies
into easy-to-read profiles. Through exclusive interviews with company leaders
and real-world data, Christine Arena presents potent strategies that serve both
shareholder interests and society at large.
Editorial Reviews
Richard D. Parsons, chairman and CEO of Time
Warner
"Arena raises our sights and expectations. Cause for Success is a cause for
cerebration as well as celebration."
Jonathan S. Lavine, managing director of Bain Capital
"I loved this book. It will help all leaders redefine success in ways
previously overlooked in traditional business analysis."
Bradley Abelow, global head of operations of Goldman Sachs
"Presents fascinating insights into a new paradigm for business success in
the twenty-first century."
Philip Rowley, president of AOL Europe
"An important call to arms for all business executives to recognize the
vital responsibility they have in this world."
John O'Neil, president of the Center for Leadership Renewal
"This is a rare book. Read it. Keep it close."
Philip Rowley, president of AOL Europe
"An important call to arms for all business executives."
John O'Neil, president of the Center for Leadership Renewal
"This is a rare book packed with useful information. Read it. Keep it
close."
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