This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

The Herman Trend Alert November 9, 2011 Companies Insist Suppliers be more Socially Conscious Because of consumers' socially conscious buying concerns, companies are taking steps to ensure the integrity of their operations and those of their suppliers around the world and supporting the work of the United States Council for International Business (USCIB). Lately, its work has revolved around supply-chain issues, including customs practices, transport security, counterfeiting and piracy, labor and environmental concerns. Most multinationals have programs that set standards for suppliers and hold them accountable. In addition, increasing numbers of companies are adopting supplier "codes of conduct" to fill the gaps left by the failures of local governments to implement or enforce their own laws---including labor and human rights regulations. According to Peter Robinson, President and CEO of USCIB, "[The] pressure is growing for companies to push supply chain management efforts... beyond their present scope. New initiatives would make producers responsible for addressing broad social ills that may exist at some point in ‘their' extensive global supply chains, including child labor, forced labor, human trafficking, and armed conflict." Some of these initiatives include... In the US, the "California Transparency in Supply Chains Act", focuses on slavery and human trafficking and the "Dodd-Frank" law, which requires companies to disclose whether or not "conflict minerals"* are used in their products In Uzbekistan, there are efforts to address forced child labor in cotton production In Brazil, there is work to address forced child labor in cattle ranching, sugar, and charcoal production. To address these challenges, the USCIB has organized workshops, hosted by The Coca-Cola Company, on how companies may address forced labor, child labor, and human rights. The group has also spearheaded efforts to address the Uzbek cotton issue through the International Labor Organization's disciplinary process. Finally, perhaps their greatest involvement has been in helping develop the United Nations' principles that ask companies to "respect human rights and institute a due diligence process". As more people in developed nations evolve a social conscience, we expect this trend to intensify, driving up the cost of many raw materials. Companies will respond by seeking lower-cost suppliers in poorer countries, creating a greater need for oversight. * "conflict minerals", particularly found in the Congo region, are those traded for weapons and other supplies that foster war. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Or order the electronic version of the Employer of Choice book on your desktop for only $17.80 @ http://hermangroup.com/store/books_all.html#2. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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