Changes
On May 14, 2010 Katalin Ertsey was sworn in as an MP of the new Hungarian green party: LMP, Politics Can Be Different. She keeps her ownership and management position at Capilano Consulting, but going beyond the basic rules regarding MPs’ conflict of interest issues, as of today, in the next four years, Capilano Consulting will not take any contracts from the central or local government sector, and will refer any calls for proposals to those competitors and independent experts whose values are similar to those of ours.
Hey, that was my idea! :)
I am shocked and amazed and excited. I just found out through a Hungarian Social Branding portal, that the idea that I presented to potential partners in late September is actually something that the biggest companies with the World Business Council on Sustainable Development has created already. One of my eyes is crying and the other one is smiling. On one hand: how come they came to the same idea!? Why weren’t we faster? :)) On the other hand: I am really proud and totally excited that the idea I came up with independently is something that the greatest companies and minds are also occupied with. It gives me a big boost and a justification that the idea is great and it should work in Hungary, too.
What a funny but great twist in the story.
Sir Richard is in his elements
One of the most creative entrepreneurs of our time has launched the Carbon War Room. “Harnessing the power of entrepreneurs to implement market-driven solutions to climate change.”
This is the ideal field of action for Branson. He loves challenges and is able to mobilize other creative business leaders. This is exactly the kind of innovative force we would like to harness in the Hungarian business community.
I am especially excited to see his partnership with Vancouver city, which wants to become the greenest city in the world by 2020. I think it is already…
Do you create value for society or destroy it?
A truly exciting new study was published by the New Economics Foundation. The study looks at how much creatain examined professions contribute to society, whether they add value or are destructive to society. This is exactly the kind of thinking that I outlined earlier in this blog: the line – in my mind – does not lie between nonprofits and for-profits, but between those businesses, that are socially responsible and environmentally safe and those who are not. In the case of the first one, it may even generate some additional profit, if it is done smartly. That is what I call responsible business.
I also like the self definition of the NEF: “an independent think-and-do tank”. That is again something that we aspire to be: being merely a think tank does not attract us, but before setting out and implementing a project helping organizations, communities and companies become more responsible, we carefully examine the possible solutions and base our proposals on valuable research.
Copenhagen
I am busy with Copenhagen-watching. Browsing blogs, watching videos, nagging friends who are there, for news…
I love this one: the Fossil of the Day Awards…
I am busy on Facebook these days…
A little late,
but let me share with you information on the White House Executive order focusing on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance. This is exactly what we need here in Hungary. As we suggested last year in our Strategic Proposal to the Hungarian government on accelerating CSR, we believe that leading by example is key in urging companies to become more sustainable and focus on reducing their carbon footprint.
Thank you, Professor Stiglitz
No, I am not turning this site into a Stiglitz fan club. 🙂 This time just a short note on Stiglitz’s lecture at the CEU on Wednesday. He didn’t say anything new or anything groundbreaking, but the sheer joy of seeing him, listening to him put a smile on faces. For those who read Hungarian, here is a report on Index. The author did not exactly get the rock star analogy but otherwise, a fair description of the evening.
People
As I mentioned before, Capilano is a network of professionals. Since this blog also serves as the interactive, English version of our static Hungarian website, let me introduce those who are involved.
Norman Gludovatz – International Consultant, Vancouver, BC
Education: Sociology (BA, University of British Columbia), Youth expert, Community organizer, Political expert
Skills and areas of interest:
Central and local government, nonprofit sector (international and local), trade unions, SMEs, strategic planning, fundraising, community development, formal and non-formal education, training
http://tacticaloutcomes.ca/
and finally myself
Katalin Ertsey – Managing Partner and Senior Consultant
Education: Certified Equal opportunities expert, Certified Business Ethics/CSR expert, Civil Society expert, teacher, journalist, communications expert, international relations and journalism studies in the US
Skills and areas of interest: Business ethics, transparency, workplace equal opportunity, sustainability and CSR reporting and audit, corporate communication, social investment, community oriented team building programs, sustainable business strategies, international relations and development, civil society.
References: CEU Business School, Pannon, UNDP, Corvinus University Business Ethics Center, Weber Shandwick Hungary, United Way Global/Hungary, KÖVET Association for the Sustainable Economy, Common Purpose Hungary, Canada World Youth, Mott Foundation, International Rescue Committee, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, NIOK . Nonprofit Information and Training Center, International Youth Foundation, Johns Hopkins University, North-South Institute, Ottawa.
Stop and go
Today I finished the first round of intensive talks with potential partners. Huh… what a fortnight… I had two or three meetings each day for the past two weeks (and spent thousands on coffee and lunches :).
As a result, we now have two major-major projects, and ten (!) smaller ones in the pipeline or being formulated. They range from training through organizing conferences to classic consulting assignments. And of course, I did enter into a new volunteer project, although I promised myself in the beginning of this year not to make a new commitment. I also launch my own new social project soon, but now we have to concentrate on the ones we are developing now.
There is a huge need, a lot of talent and tremendous good intention out there. The winds are definitely changing. I can hardly say no to new meetings, but we have to stop here. I promised myself not to open any new lines, no more meetings, no more new ideas. But rather sit down, work out, and realize these opportunities. You may be hearing a little less from capilano for a while, but please stay tuned and we’ll get back with the developments. Promise.
CSR és Fenntartható Fejlődés Tanácsadó 