CECP Insights Blog

Anchor institutions are those that are well established and deeply ingrained in their communities, both socially and economically; the institution and the community are interdependent. Initially, anchor institutions referred to colleges, universities, medical centers, and public utilities. Then arts and cultural institutions and sports venues were added to the list, as were religious institutions. Considering […]

The recent Supreme Court decisions have captivated audiences and continue to drive conversations. We have heard comments across the political spectrum, read letters from the State Attorneys General, and spoken with corporate leaders. Fortune collected statements from companies that filed an amicus brief in support of affirmative action last summer.   “GM remains committed to fostering […]

Last week my inbox was filled with a mix of encouraging, as well as alarming, headlines on the latest sustainability news. While 94% of companies plan to comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), greenwashing lawsuits are taking off. And despite heads of biodiversity being appointed, corporations are backing out of net-zero alliances. It […]

There is a lot of noise in the media nowadays, but one message is coming through clearly and consistently: workers and other key stakeholders want companies to react to the major events that impacts their lives. And no matter how much this might unnerve some CEOs or their boards, there is no going back to […]

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has left many entrepreneurs and startups panicked and scrambling to address concerns they thought were behind them.  This includes making employees’ payroll, but also other resources that SVB lent them, such as discounted tech tools, valuable introductions, and research funding. At CECP, we believe in the potential and capacity […]

Societal discord is at an all-time high and it’s impacting how global businesses manage their reputation, recruit employees, and improve company culture. Media has become increasingly biased, information is less trustworthy, and opinions have intensified.   This year, Gallup found just 7% of Americans have “a great deal” of trust and confidence in the media, and 27% have […]

The pandemic has arguably been the broadest disrupter in recent memory, shifting our thinking about our deep-seated values and priorities. Many of us have reevaluated how we spend our time, and the meaning of work in our lives. As we continue to shape our new normal, we ask ourselves, “Why am I doing this?” Leading […]

A conversation with Daryl Brewster, CEO, CECP, and Rob Bernshteyn, CEO & Chairman, Coupa Software Daryl: Rob, thanks for taking the time to talk with us. You’ve served as Chairman & CEO of Coupa Software since early 2009. You’ve seen a shift, especially in the last few years, in how companies define their purpose. Share […]

Organizations are working hard to retain employees in today’s competitive job market and create healthy cultures that foster productivity. In our view, the most important element is to ensure that toxicity has no place in the workplace. Today, 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women say preventing sexual harassment, misogyny, and other unfair […]

Months of warfare have taken a devastating toll on the people of Ukraine, and the impact of war on their health system has left hospitals damaged and outpatient clinics destroyed. As the country’s citizens require access to essential health services more than ever, it has become exceedingly difficult for Ukrainians to get the medical care […]

While Philip Morris International (PMI) is widely known as a cigarette company, in 2016 we announced our bold, new purpose: to deliver a smoke-free future. By focusing our resources on developing, scientifically substantiating, and responsibly commercializing smoke-free products that are less harmful than smoking, we aim to completely replace cigarettes as soon as possible. Our […]

The bar for corporations to behave morally is higher than ever. This year’s Edelman Trust Barometer report—a survey of 36,000 people in 28 countries—finds trust in all organizations is changing, but business remains the most trusted (61%), followed by trust in NGOs (59%), government (52%), and media (50%).  Just as protests after George Floyd’s murder […]

Over the past year and a half, volunteering has taken on new meaning. Its value has been stretched, renewed, and redefined. From community partners to business objectives, what’s become evident over these last 18 months is a deeper need for collaboration, clear communication, and relevant, achievable goals. Volunteering has value, but it’s defining that value, […]

Investing in Society is the authoritative source to assess the corporate sector’s progress toward being increasingly purpose and stakeholder driven. CECP’s assessment combines rigorous analysis with research, trends, and cases from the ESG landscape, examined through the lens of CECP’s engagements with more than 200 of the world’s leading companies. Investing in Society organizes its […]

Few of today’s CEOs earned their jobs because they were socially responsible and spoke out on hot topics. Yet now more than ever, key stakeholders want to know where companies and CEOs stand on critical social issues. Speaking out is a 21st-century requirement for the leaders of major companies. Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP) […]