Initiatives
Tomorrow's Company

The Tomorrow's Company Futures Project

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

The Tomorrow's Company Futures Project Context

• • 37 of the world’s 100 largest economies are corporations based on revenue and GDP (i)

• • the IMF has estimated that, at its peak, the global credit crunch cost world economies more than $10 trillion (ii)

• • just 90 companies caused two-thirds of man-made global warming emissions (iii)

• • 85 people now own as much wealth as half the world’s population (iv)

• • only 20% of the public trust business leaders to tell the truth and make ethical and moral decisions (v)

• • companies with engaged employees outperform those without by up to 202%. (vi)

Companies must earn their ‘licence to operate’ by playing a greater role in contributing to solving the problems that society faces. However, with public attitudes towards much business devastatingly low, the current debate is stuck in the language of cynicism and blame.

Tomorrow’s Company will set out a realistic and inspiring case for how business can be a force for good, leading to a more forward-looking debate.

Some of the open questions that will be asked are:

• how can the widespread and growing distrust of business be addressed?

• how can businesses best use their capabilities to address the social and environmental challenges we face?

• how can companies remove obstacles and harness the talent of all, irrespective of their background?

• how should companies communicate the value that they bring to all their stakeholders?

• what changes in technology and society will transform companies and their organisation?

The project will look back at what has been achieved since the original 1995 Tomorrow’s Company Inquiry and look forward at what needs to be achieved. The project will draw on the insight of leaders from companies, government and NGOs as well as the accumulated experience of twenty years work by Tomorrow’s Company.

The project will include:

• a provocative report which challenges business leaders, the investment community, the government, civil society and business educators, offering a far reaching agenda for the years ahead

• a compendium reviewing the body of work that Tomorrow’s Company has contributed so far and an assessment of its impact

• a series of public events to disseminate key recommendations.

An invitation

If you feel business can and must be a force for good, please contribute to our campaign to create a fresh vision, setting a new agenda for business.

The minimum funding needed is £200,000 by March 2015. Generous support from Brunswick, Adnams, TTP, BAE Systems, BSI, Marshall of Cambridge, CIPD and private individuals has enabled us to raise over £60,000 at this initial stage.

Your valued support will create a real and lasting impact as the role of business in a changing world is redefined. If you feel you could support this project, through involvement in our interviews, dialogues, or by offering in-kind support, please get in touch.

To donate please visit tomorrowscompany.com/donate

(i) Tomorrow’s Chairman – foreword (ii) Data from IMF as reported by BBC, 31st July 2009 (iii) Journal Climatic Change as reported by the Guardian, 20th November 2013 (iv) Working for the Few: Political capture and economic inequality - Oxfam, published 20th January 2014 (v) 2014 Edelman Trust Barometer (vi) Gallup survey – as reported by Dale Carnegie How you can contribute The Tomorrow's Company Futures project brochure (Download PDF Document, 640kB)