Pump Up with CSR
Categories:
CSR
Categories: CSR
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This is a story that links two unlikely people: Arnold Schwartzenegger and Jessica Kirshenblatt-Gooderham. You have probably heard of the former, based on his roles as The Terminator, Conan the Barbarian, and even Governor of Caifornia. But If you want to learn about Ms. Kirshenblat-Goodenham, you’ll have to read on. First, let’s focus on the California connection. From a recent article in the New York Times: As President Trump moves to reverse the Obama administration’s policies on climate change, California is emerging as the nation’s de facto negotiator with the world on the environment. The state is pushing back on everything from White House efforts to roll back pollution rules on tailpipes and smokestacks, to plans to withdraw or weaken the United States’ commitments under the Paris climate change accord. The aggressive posture on the environment has set the stage for a confrontation between the Trump administration and the largest state in the nation. California has 39 million people, making it more populous than Canada and many other countries. And with an annual economic output of $2.4 trillion, the state is an economic powerhouse and has the sixth-largest economy in the world. California’s efforts cross party lines. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served as governor from 2003 to 2011, and led the state in developing the most aggressive pollution-control programs in the nation, has emerged as one of Mr. Trump’s biggest Republican critics. So, with this talk of Governor Schwarzenegger – and reflecting on that famous Saturday Night Live sketch where Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon (and sometimes with ‘their cousin Arnold), we are inspired to 'pump up'. Aren't we? So, as a project manager, can you “pump up your career” with CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)? A recent story inspires me to say ‘yes’ and to even provide some tips (thanks to the heroine of this story) for you. It’s the story of Jessica Kirshenblat-Gooderham. Kirshenblat-Gooderham. Jess began her career at General Mills in sales about ten years ago. At that time, there were few, if any, sustainability projects – at least framed in that way. Now, she helps direct the General Mills Canada Sustainability Team. Think about it. This is about a portfolio of green projects, tied to General Mills’ corporate commitments to sustainability, which you can find here: One thing to note here. Projects which are ‘green by nature’ like efforts to reclaim energy from oat husks (one great example from General Mills’ Cheerios™ products) are easy to connect to sustainability. The challenge for project managers in projects which are more ‘workaday’ is to connect the sustainability elements – usually related to benefits realization, and often involving CSR goals that go beyond pure economics. The way to justify CSR considerations in these projects is to connect them to the company’s statements about CSR. This is what we call “the golden thread”. You can test this out yourself by referring to and oldie-but-goodie post which includes a “the three-click challenge” – the post is called “Golden Threads and Ruby Slippers”. So let’s get back to Jess Kirshenblat-Goodenham. In the article from “BMeaningful” – an excellent website, by the way - she provides three tips for those interested in pumping up the CSR element of their career.
So – be like Hans and Franz – it may be time for you to pump up your career using CSR! |
