Pictured above: Deb Leary
Tamworth-based Forensic Pathways chief executive Deb Leary has
returned from the two-day United Nations Global Compact Leaders
Summit in New York and declared: "Now is the time for 'good
business."
She says firms of all sizes need to learn that the way they
treat employees, clients and suppliers is becoming increasingly
important in this changing, globalised business environment.
Business leaders from around the world gathered in Manhattan
last week (24-25 June) to focus on 'building a new era of
sustainability'. The summit, which also celebrated the 10th
anniversary of the UN Global Compact's launch, brought together
business leaders, investors, Government, civil society, labour,
academia and the United Nations to tackle priority areas that are
central to leadership today.
"Now is the time for 'good business" said Deb Leary, who as well
as being the CEO of the Staffordshire company is also Deputy
Director of the UK Network of the United Nations Global
Compact.
"We must understand that often we are remembered for how we do
business rather than the business that we do.
"Transparency, integrity, collaboration, diversity and
innovation must be some of the key drivers for business. Corporate
Responsibility isn't, as the name suggests, just for large
multinationals. It is just as important to the SME. How we engage
with our employees, our clients, suppliers and the wider community,
says something about us as people and about our companies.
"It has been said that doing 'good business' is about
fundamental business practice, not merely philanthropy. We know
that the way we engage with our employees, our clients, our
suppliers and the wider community has an impact on the success of
our business and it is important to recognise that in the connected
world in which we now live our actions have far reaching
implications. Membership of the Global Compact has given us focus
and guidance in the development of building a sustainable,
profitable and globally engaged company."
The UN Global Compact is an initiative started by former UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan which aimed to promote responsible
business citizenship. The Compact is basically a network of
businesses, both multi-national and SME, along with NGOs who are
committed to working within the ten fundamental principles of CSR
as outlined by the Compact. These principles focus on four main
areas: human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.