Crisis as an ESG Catalyst

COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter have brought a harsh spotlight on environmental, social and governance issues (ESG), especially on the many “S” issues boards oversee. Your investors, employees and other stakeholders should know you understand and will react accordingly.

While the pandemic is still wreaking havoc around the world, many slogans have bubbled up, including “Black Lives Matter” and “Defund the Police.” I believe it is perhaps more important to become “anti-slogan.” Block the noise and the acronyms — instead, listen to your people and do the right thing. Ask management for meaningful employee surveys so that you can understand what your associates need in order to be successful and what concrete actions will help them.

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