Is The World Bank Gaining An Ethical Tinge?
November 5, 2009
An interesting story from South Africa has caught my eye. It demonstrates how fraught the introduction of sustainability related legislation could be, and perhaps contains a signpost as to what the future may hold.
In an unprecedented move the International Centre for Investment Disputes (ICSID) at the World Bank has allowed non-disputing parties (NDPs) to give evidence at a tribunal and ordered the parties in dispute to reveal their evidence and conclusions to the NDPs.
This implies that while the ICSID may feel itself competent to rule on purely business grounds it needs additional input to ascertain the “softer” issues in the case: in this case, the human rights of South Africa’s long oppressed black majority.
Xstrata — Communicating Corporate Ethics
October 29, 2009
Xstrata is a major global diversified mining group, based in Switzerland and the UK, that knows how to communicate via its website. Take a look at the Homepage –
First the abstract image at the top changes; I had to mention this since I like abstracts. The Home page is loaded with information links, but is not overwhelming. The navigation on the upper left is good, the company prominently displays updates on its merger, the About quickly describes the company to new visitors. Finally, stock price and links to reports are available Nicely done.
The company also does a good job communicating the nature of the industries in which they compete. On the Commodity Businesses section you can use the links to more information–
Russia’s Norilsk Nickel
September 9, 2009
I’ve written reviews of many corporate websites around the world, but none in one of the largest countries–Russia. I found a worthy site in Norilsk Nickel –
While not as refined as many corporate websites, the Home Page has useful content. Some observations–
1. Quick access to equity information
2. Internet resources links to a nice site for young people (adults might find this useful) and a corporate blog (Russian only, perhaps they will add other languages in the future)
3. Updated News
4. Corporate presentations, current available in HTML
5. Upper right navigation includes Nickel Advantages, a series of videos that are very instructive.
Next navigate to the Operations section–
The company provides summary displays of where they have a presence. This section also includes information about production and quality.
A few more noteworthy features include –
- Norilsk displays extensive historical credit ratings
- On the bottom of the Downloads page, which contains access to many company reports, there are two videos: a movie about the company, and one about ecology.
In sum, what Norilsk Nickel website may lack in glitz, it more than makes up for in offering useful information content.
Vedanta — Using the Ws in About Us
August 12, 2009
Vedanta is a UK based diversified FTSE 100 metals and mining company. When I visited their website I found a unique and effective use of the Ws — Who, What, Where — in their About Us section.
The design is simple uncluttered and right to the point. First the Who We Are area has the essentials that should be included on an About Us section–
- The Group (This takes you to a graphic and description of the company’s businesses)
- Quick Facts
- Mission and Values (Definitely not typical)
- History (Very creative)
- Strategy (Accomplishments against strategy explained)
- Competitive Strengths (Many company websites lack this, Vedanta has a robust treatment)
- The Board (OK but not very unique)
- Management Structure
The What We Do section is comprehensive and you are able to drill down to more detail. The section is all text. The use of some graphics would be most useful since there is a fair amount of data to digest.
Where We Operate is basic and a bit sparse compared to the robust Who We Are. This section could be easily enhanced with maps and graphics.
Another well done section that is not in About Us but is included in this section by many companies — People and Employment. This section includes what Vedanta expects of its people –
Our expectation is that you will:
- work ‘hands-on’ within our organisations;
- help to bring in the significant operational gains that the Group has enjoyed;
- introduce best practices; and
- train and share knowledge with the existing operational team,
…all with an objective of achieving global-scale capacities in our companies.
So if you are:
- bubbling with energy, enthusiasm and creative ideas,
- ambitious to within your own career,
- willing to take on new challenges,
- in the habit of doing things in an unconventional way,
…we’d love to hear from you!
Nicely done.
Vedanta sets a good example for how to design an effective About Us section. With some enhancements explained above, it would be a great example.
Potash Corp. — Excellence in Governance
February 6, 2009
Sometimes you come across a website that clearly stands out from its peers.
In Corporate Governance matters, I suggest the Potash Corporation.
There is so many noteworthy items here that I may need to do a second post on this company.
The first item to note is the comprehensive Corporate Governance menu. Click on Goals and Performance and you view something that is rare on websites: the company’s goals for its Corporate Governance practices, and a performance evaluation.
Note you can also view performance for the last three years: now that is transparency.
Next, navigate to Core Values and Code of Conduct and you will view one of the best displays of this vital issue.
Actions speak louder than words. Each of us is judged not by what we say by but what we do. This is a simple yet vitally important principle. It is why we must live up to the Code every day and in all that we do.
All of our stakeholders have an investment in us. We won’t let them down.
This is very telling since Potash clearly understands that Ethics is more than simply publishing a Code of Conduct. There is more:
- Launch Core Values and Code of Conduct
- Core Values and Code of Conduct (PDF 334 KB)
- Core Values and Operating Philosophies with William J. Doyle
The first links to a popup of the core values and code of conduct, including the certification required from each employee that they have read and will comply with this document; the second is a PDF version of this.
The third item links to a video of the CEO’s views on a variety of matters including Integrity, Listening to Stakeholders, Code of Conduct and more. There are also media choices such as Quicktime, Windows Media and Real Player, to ensure that it can be easily viewed by everyone. A brilliant example of setting the “Tone from the Top”.
Finally, visit Why Invest? 6 Keys to Understanding Our Business, where Potash does a great job of explaining the business, industry and their competitive advantage.
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