From past to future

The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius already knew: ‘Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current’. The year 2012 is already coming to an end and it is time to take stock: which sustainability successes can we show? What does this mean for next year? A bird’s eye view.

Energy-efficient

In 2012 Improve4all provided sustainability support for the business of chip machine producer ASML: the Sustainability Report 2011 was successfully completed. Eric Meurice, President and Chief Executive Officer van ASML: ‘We see it as our mission to develop machines that manufacture more efficiently integrated circuits, which themselves will enable more energy-efficient electronic products. Our sustainability strategy goes hand in hand with our business strategy.’

EFQM-training

Working together on creative & inspiring solutions,
to improve us all.

An excellent organisation requires an excellent approach. During the year Improve4all, as member of the faculty of trainers, provided various EFQM-training courses around the world. At the EFQM offices in Brussels, but also on location in Abu Dhabi for instance, managers were trained in ‘the excellence practices’: how do you determine if a business is organising its people and processes in an optimal way? How does an organisation make sure that their business results are balanced with their customer results, employee results and society results? And which part are leaders playing here?

Zero Impact Growth

The journey towards a sustainable world is not an individual journey, many, and each in their own way, work at making the world a better place. Some are very inspiring. Take John Elkington who, in his book The Zeronauts – Breaking the Sustainability Barrier, set the new standard for sustainability this year. The idea is: the world is confronted with some enormous challenges, better known as the 5 P’s: population growth, pandemics, poverty, pollution, and proliferation. The only remedy for a healthy future is to place our bets on an economy that grows without any negative impact on the planet. In short: Zero Impact Growth.

Plans for 2013

This is only a fraction of all beautiful experiences of the past year. In 2013 this path will partly be continued: several training courses and assessments are on the agenda, and for ASML the completion and publication of the Sustainability Report 2012 is on there too. Next to this some new developments can be reported: Improve4all will extend the European base (run from The Netherlands) and also set up a hub in the Middle-East. Since the capacity will be enlarged there will be room for new initiatives. So please feel free to spar and brainstorm, who knows this might lead to sustainable insights …

Firm base

Improve4all is working on their next steps with the deeply rooted belief that truly excellent organisations make the world a better place. By inspiring leaders to find innovative and sustainable solutions for their organisations Improve4all stimulates organisations to achieve and sustain outstanding levels of performance. That is why, in 2013, we will strongly focus on sustainable excellence again.

But until that time Improve4all wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

How world leaders deal with global problems

According to the famous list of Forbes Magazine Barack Obama and Angela Merkel are the two most powerful people on earth. So, a man and a woman, each with their own distinctive leadership style. How did they deal with the global problems they encountered?

Sleepless nights

To the European Union the situation in Greece was thé nightmare of 2012. How to deal with a country that is economically véry fragile, but politically and economically so entangled with the rest of Europe? The first support package was easily crafted, but when that was not enough, views differed: devaluate debts or still a ‘Grexit’. Already in 2011 specifically British Prime Minister Cameron reacted fiercely: ‘Not one penny more. British taxpayers' money won’t be spent on another Greek bailout.’ Also Angela Merkel spoke firmly, but with a different view: the Greek should economize, and not just a little bit. For ‘us’, but mainly for themselves. This did not make her very popular in Greece. Understandable when people see their pensions go up in smoke, but not entirely justified: Merkel has continued to believe in a future for the Greek in Europe. Even in the prospect of having to devaluate the debts.

President Barack Obama talks with German Chancellor
Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron
(Wikimedia Commons; Official White House Photo; Pete Souza).

Gusto

Barack Obama has ended a very thrilling election period. At first it seemed to be a walkover, but after the television debate it became a very close race with Mitt Romney. In the heat of the electoral fights hurricane Sandy through herself into the ring, with disastrous consequences. Obama immediately put the federal government in action, paused his campaign and sent in many people to provide support. On the other hand Romney was of the opinion that the government should be holding back and let the states take the lead themselves. Obama’s gusto and humane response were praised everywhere and got him many new voters.  Interesting detail: according to Obama himself it was due to the female voters that he was re-elected (‘It was women wot won the election’)…

Confront problems

True leaders have a sharp strategic insight, do not walk away from trouble, can release themselves from existing structure and are capable to make compromises. Having gusto and being authoritarian are not synonymous: big leaders above all are humane.

Women cheer in front of Trinity College, Dublin, as United States 

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are introduced 

to a large crowd before an address by the President at College Green in 

Dublin, Ireland, 23 May 2011 (Wikimedia Commons; 

Official White House Photo; Pete Souza).

Why we need female leaders

Anyone to google ‘sustainability’ is treated to millions of hits. There is a vast amount of information available on innovative, inspiring and intriguing ideas that make the world a bit better. From wild futuristic plans to small-scale initiatives that distinguish themselves because of their simplicity. But how are ideas transformed to reality? That is where you need leadership. Sounds logical, yes? However, what is leadership anyway? And who are better at it: men or women?

Share and support

U.S. National Archives and Records
(Administration Wikimedia Commons)

To analyse ‘leadership’ Google also provides good results. Many sites speak of leadership styles, ranging from situational, servant, personal, empathic or even invisible leadership. Many roads lead to Rome, but a clear vision, creativity and vigour are recurring features. This also holds true for integrating sustainability in organisations: without a strong message it will lead nowhere. But only a strong message, also leads nowhere. Sustainability is teamwork, it needs to be shared and supported. And this means discussing, empathizing and compromising. You will need imagination to see it …

Transformational leadership

Around the world top management of companies consist of men. Research has shown that male leaders are in general more task oriented, have a big focus on money and are more at ease in fixed structures and processes. On the other hand women are capable to act strategically, to make comprises and implement innovations. In short: they are better at transformational leadership, and this is exactly what we need to create support for sustainability. Not convinced? Sheryl Sandberg, member of Facebook’s Board of Management, has appropriately summarised the distinctive value of female leaders:

Reinforcing each other

Does this mean we don’t need male leadership? Well no, of course not: both male and female leaders have their own qualities. It is just a matter of maximising those skills in the most optimal way. Men and women are perfectly able to reinforce each other, but then the balance should be different. Meaning: more women in management boards, more female leaders. And yes, this requires some adaptability, releasing of existing structures and making compromises. I can imagine it and I go for it.