The presentation of results from the “first cohort” of the Global Performance programme (which began on March 8, 2012, with 20 SMEs and 6 sponsoring large companies on board) provided an opportunity to revisit this public-private partnership project, which aims to be an exemplary operation of social responsibility.
Yes, because as Véronique Lévy, the project coordinator, said, “We haven’t changed the world,” but we can always hope that we can still improve it.
The economic, social, and environmental results (In addition to the 7 classic criteria, the carbon footprint was also considered) of the companies are there to demonstrate: The best practices of others create doubt about what we have always done, and every certainty is essentially contradictory to the philosophy of research and performance – the thought leaders of entrepreneurial organization tell us.
And on the other hand, thinking about the company not only from the perspective of its owner or its shareholders (shareholders) but considering a common good with stakeholders (stakeholders) – is this a revolutionary concept or rather an act full of sense and an expression of values?
With this programme, Yvon Grosso, president of UPE06 and project sponsor, aimed to give small and medium-sized enterprises of the Alpes-Maritimes the ability to meet the new market expectations in terms of CSR, which is increasingly becoming an important lever for enhancement.
The response, 10 months after launch, is positive: Yes! All the participants say, we have gained multiple advantages from this participation. And the private sponsors (All large companies) confirm it, with the satisfaction of having contributed to the managerial growth of the sponsored: What should we call this new synergy? Collective intelligence!
The results, as we have already said, are there, supported by figures, in terms of sustainable economic development, environmental respect, social progress, corporate governance, and carbon footprint.
And the counter for these companies will continue to turn, because after learning to do better, there is no reason not to stay in the dynamic of doing even better now.
Patrick Allemand, Vice-President of the Regional Council and somewhat himself a “sponsor” of the initiative on the public side, aptly said in his speech: “This action, which advances an environmental management and energy efficiency system, gives an edge to companies that apply it.”
Which, in these times of unrelenting competition, is not insignificant. Isn’t it sometimes said that it’s the details that can make you win?
