Comments on: Listening to a CSR Critic

By: FabianPattberg

FabianPattberg — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:15:00 +0000

I am of the same opinion Christine. My writing has become more straightforward lately as well. It makes me especially angry when I already here these so called leaders saying that a consensus at Copenhagen will not happen. The only thing I can say in return: Then make it happen.
I also think that it is our responsibility to initiate change. Hopefully this blog plays a part in promoting change. But this is what others need to decide.

By: FabianPattberg

FabianPattberg — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:10:22 +0000

I absolutely agree Maria. Very well said.

By: FabianPattberg

FabianPattberg — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:15:00 +0000

By: FabianPattberg

FabianPattberg — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:10:22 +0000

I absolutely agree Maria. Very well said.

By: Maria Lemos

Maria Lemos — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:19:16 +0000

Just one thing Fabian, and you're right – you can't write on music if you don't know the music field; the same for CSR. It's not complicated but journalists have to know what it's about if they want to write about it.

By: christinearena

christinearena — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:18:07 +0000

Hi Fabian. You are absolutely right, my friend. Why is it that so many people walk around with this awareness switch turned off inside of them? What happened to these people? As a civilization and planet we are facing a code red, all hands on deck situation, but so many individuals and corporations can only think about their own self-interest and short-term financial goals. I am sick and tired of those people and corporations, which is why my writing and blogs have become so aggressive lately. Believe me, I'm with you. It is annoying, to say the least. That's why the CSR industry needs to carve out a very clear value proposition and language right now. People in the industry need to be a lot clearer about what this is (productive and mandatory) and isn't (cause marketing, PR or a regulatory albatross). The arguments need to be made – and won – publicly.

By: Maria Lemos

Maria Lemos — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:54:59 +0000

I would say that CSR is NOT complicated. (It's a scary acronym, perhaps, and that' all). The thing is that journalists find that companies want to show their bright side and for that reason they aren't able to do what they would like to do. Journalists find a lobby that they just can not fight. Of course there are remarkable exceptions to the rule. Here in Portugal I know at least one exception. And I can tell you that the founder and CEO of the company is adored here in Portugal. He is a brave guy with enough money to send those who deserve it to go to, well you know what I mean -:)

By: FabianPattberg

FabianPattberg — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:54:37 +0000

Hi Maria. Thanks for the comment. Yes media has to play its role and I agree that many journalists do not really know what CSR is about. But maybe this is exactly the problem. Is CSR to complicated maybe?

By: FabianPattberg

FabianPattberg — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:52:56 +0000

Hi Christina. Glad you like the site and thanks for the comment. I agree that the definition topic is a tough one. And it really depends from which angle you view a certain problem/topic such as CSR. But I believe that there needs to be something mandatory which keeps us humans from straying from our common goal to save the planet. I believe no one would say no if we where to ask them to do their bit.
This critic here in the show just did not show any respect for the current CSR best practice which I found really annoying to say the least.

By: Maria Lemos

Maria Lemos — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:08:26 +0000

Healthy discussion this one at BBC. I agree that there is a lack of information of what CSR is not only in the corporate world but within stakeholders in general (public). And from there one could add the question of what companies claim to be doing in line with a CSR practice is in fact CSR. The necessity of a 3th party involved? I would add that media has its share of responsibility in this, since a number of journalists don't know enough about this theme. Consequently, how can they publicize it correctly?