What does responsible leadership entail?

Research from the consulting firm Accenture found that 61 percent of the “World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders and Global Shapers” say that business models should only be pursued if they generate profitable growth and improve societal outcomes at the same time. “The health, economic and social crises of recent times have raised people’s expectations about the role of business in solving global problems,” Accenture writes. This and other comprehensive Accenture data led to the creation of its concept of the five categories of responsible leadership. They include: 

• Stakeholder Inclusion, which means making decisions with an understanding of the impacts they may have on a diversity of those who will be impacted and making sure they feel that their voices are heard.  
• Emotion & Intuition, making decisions that show compassion, humility, and openness. 
• Mission & Purpose, making decisions surrounding a specific shared vision 
• Technology & Innovation, responsibly utilizing emerging technologies. 
• Intellect & Insight, continuously working toward understanding 

It’s easy to create corporate sustainability strategies that talk about these concepts, but actually doing them requires an understanding of system-wide change and willingness to re-write “business as usual.” 

How is responsible leadership actually implemented?

This organizational structure above and responsible leadership concepts more generally provide mechanisms for business decision-making. For example, when one business seeks software for its employees’ or customers’ use, a business focused on responsible business leadership mindset might consider the responsible use of a technology that protects the privacy of its users, and choose to only collaborate with software companies that share this value. Or, for another example, a products company may seek to better understand where the materials it uses for its products are sourced and devote extra resources to ensuring the products are created in sustainable ways that do not exploit workers or ecosystems. 

In an article for AACSB, the business school accrediting organization, one author explained, “the world needs business schools to graduate responsible leaders who will prioritize sustainable business practices, no matter what industries they enter or what careers they pursue.” 

One program cited keeps in mind the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals such as ending poverty, hunger, and inequality, and promoting quality education, gender equality, and decent work and economic growth, and fighting climate change, among others. How does a business program teach its students leadership to advance such broad social missions? Simply put, by teaching graduates first, to recognize their value, and second, to understand how companies can identify and manage to make decisions with these in mind. 

Becoming a Responsible Business Leader

John Carroll’s AACSB-accredited MBA is an MBA program that provides a business foundation with a focus on building responsible leaders who understand the impact of their decisions beyond the bottom line. The Emerging Leader MBA utilizes a problem-based or case method where you make decisions based on both business strategy as well as responsibility perspectives. Additionally, all MBA graduates are required to take Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, which provides conceptual approaches to decision-making that keep responsible leadership concepts in mind. 

JCU is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post Understanding and Implementing Socially Responsible Business Leadership first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

As part of a “green city” initiative, Cleveland aims to only use clean and renewable energy sources by 2050. Clean and renewable energy comes from natural resources such as solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and others. These sources and the processes associated with them typically have low or zero carbon emissions, which is why they are considered clean energy.

Cleveland will see many benefits by going green. The main benefit is cleaner air—using renewable energy reduces air pollution. Another benefit is access to an unlimited supply of energy because “renewable” means we cannot run out of it. Importantly, renewable energy will grow Cleveland’s economy in a way that benefits individuals, businesses, and communities. 

Renewable energy offers huge business opportunities. Therefore, business leaders should prepare for the future sustainable energy world by developing their leadership skills today. One way is through education from a master’s in business administration (MBA) program focused on innovative and impactful practices for business.

Background: Making Cleveland a “Green City”

Cleveland is among several cities and towns in the U.S. that are now committed to combating climate change. The city launched its sustainability initiative in 2013 and revised the plan in 2018. Cleveland’s recent Climate Action Plan details 28 sustainability objectives across the following focus areas:

• energy efficiency and green building
• clean energy
• sustainable transportation
• clean water and vibrant green space
• more local food, less waste
• cost-cutting priorities

Objectives include promoting energy efficiency in homes and businesses; reducing commercial and industrial emissions; increasing use of public transportation, efficient vehicles, and biking; improving water quality and conservation; enhancing the local food system; and engaging with residents to advance equity in climate action.

The transition to renewables involves buildings, transportation, industry, and utilities. The green initiative specifically requires Cleveland make better use of clean energy—wind turbines and solar installations. It also calls for a change in culture in Cleveland. The city has engaged in extensive outreach efforts to show Cleveland’s citizens how they can be more efficient with energy use in their homes, which in turn saves them money.

Economic Impact of Renewable Energy

The economic benefits of using renewable energy reaches beyond individuals’ wallets. Renewable energy creates jobs. The renewable energy sector provides many jobs in manufacturing, engineering, sales, and marketing, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the solar energy occupation to grow 105 percent by 2026.

Cleveland also connects climate policy and social equity. Improvements to public transportation, neighborhood parks and open spaces, and certainly increased employment opportunities, may help level the playing field for all residents of the metropolitan area. Cleveland’s Clean and Equitable Energy Future report offers specific equity goals that the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability prioritizes, including:

• promote the creation of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to empower communities;
• mitigate environmental factors leading to health disparities;
• promote investments in energy efficiency for housing that will make them safer, more comfortable, and affordable;
• include communities of color and under-represented populations in the climate action process; and
• guide decision-makers through the process of recognizing inequities, the conditions under which they thrive, and the possible solutions and environments that would mitigate negative effects and enhance positive results.

Pursuing Your Passions

If you are passionate about sustainability and social issues and want to make an impact through business leadership, choose John Carroll University. We offer Master’s of Business Administration programs for professionals seeking to lead inspired businesses. Acquire the skills needed to support businesses economically, environmentally, and socially through one of our innovative MBA programs. Discover the Boler College of Business difference.

JCU is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post Attracting A Renewable Energy Economy To Cleveland first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

The decision about whether to pursue an MBA degree in Ohio is a major one—especially for those

considering pursuing the degree while also continuing to work full-time. It’s not just a major professional decision but a personal life decision as well. The MBA commands a commitment in time as well as a financial investment in your future.

The many advantages to earning an MBA degree continue to prove that the time and financial investments are worthwhile. As for the timing, in this era of unprecedented change and disruption, there’s maybe never been a better time to earn this essential and versatile business degree.

The Benefits of Earning an MBA

Whether you are an experienced professional looking to build on your skillset to propel your career to the next level, a current student or recent grad looking to expand upon your undergraduate degree, there are several benefits to earning an MBA. Here are some of the most important:

Increase, your knowledge, understanding and applied business skills through experiential learning that will develop and expand your abilities in critical thinking, problem-solving, data analytics, strategic planning, and leadership to position yourself for higher-level roles either within your current organization or elsewhere. 

Increase your earning potential. According to one salary report, the average starting salary for U.S.

MBAs is more than $102,000. Even if your starting salary lands below this figure, you’re still likely to see

a return on your investment in an MBA degree within just a few years.

Expand your professional network. While in the MBA program, you’ll have opportunities to interact

with fellow students, faculty, and industry leaders that you might not have otherwise met. These

connections can make for a more robust network on which you can draw throughout your career.

Prepare to lead, make a career change or start your own business. Most MBA programs offer opportunities for specialization and to learn about business functions that you may not have had access to in your current or past roles. With exposure to all aspects of business organizations, you can:

·   Prepare for essential cross-functional collaborations and work in matrixed organizations;

·   Gain familiarity with an area of business to which you might want to transition;

·   Understand the aspects of starting or purchasing a business;

·   Develop leadership skills that transcend functional areas.

When the benefits are considered, it’s easy to conclude that pursuing an MBA degree is an investment in your future.

Start Your Journey Today

Advance your career and opportunities with an AACSB-accredited MBA from John Carroll University’s Boler College of Business. Choose the MBA option that is best for you: 

·   The Boler Online MBA program can be completed in 1-3 years and requires a total of 33-45 credit hours. It offers easy remote access to classes presented by Boler faculty.

·   The Emerging Leader MBA does not require professional work experience and can be completed in an (accelerated) 12-month schedule, or students may take up to 3 years to complete the degree part-time. 

·   The Professional MBA is a part-time, cohort-based program for those with two or more years of full-time, career experience. It features live projects, team-taught courses, a leadership sequence and exposure to leading industry executives. 

JCU is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post Why Is Now a Good Time to Get an MBA? first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

Below are examples of the ways three major American companies are adapting their supply chains for the future.

Walmart

Walmart has more than 5,300 stores in the United States and another 5,200 stores in other countries, according to Statista. These stores employ more than 2.1 million people.

The physical stores and e-commerce websites are served by 210 distribution centers. These centers unload and ship at least 200 trailers daily. The shipping fleet drives hundreds of millions of miles per year.

Walmart dealt with pandemic-induced supply chain problems by chartering its own ships to unload at less-busy ports. The big-box retailer also has plans to open new fulfillment centers featuring automation technology that will allow for faster order processing.

3M

3M was prepared for the challenges brought on by the pandemic. The safety and consumer goods company executives cite an operational change in early 2020 with helping to increase production and respond to the demand created by the health crisis.

3M produced the highly sought-after N95 masks during the COVID pandemic. According to online publication Supply Chain Dive, 3M activated the surge capacity it invested in following the SARS outbreak several years ago. When the virus broke out, 3M was able to immediately maximize production.

Since the height of the pandemic, the company has tracked production levels to make sure they are sufficient for current demand patterns.

The North Face

Outdoor products brand The North Face has restructured its supply chain while also becoming more environmentally responsible.

 Many years ago, the company took a long-term holistic approach to reducing their environmental impact. New systems were developed that use water and energy more efficiently in fabric production. As a result, the company has been able to create products that safeguard the environment while still meeting quality standards for clothing and equipment. Senior executives credit the success of its transition partly to proactive engagement with supply chain partners.

Similar to other companies, The North Face also boosted e-commerce efforts during the pandemic. The brand was able to effectively move inventory from its retail stores into its online inventory. The transition allowed them to meet the increased demand from people turning to outdoor activities to cope with restrictions and social distancing.

Your Role in the Future of Business

As a leader in business, you can make a difference in a rapidly changing world. Build your career resiliency through a graduate business program designed to give you a competitive edge in the job market. The Master’s of Business Administration programs at John Carroll University develop leadership skills in strategy, innovation, problem-solving, and decision-making across business disciplines. The Boler College of Business is committed to inspiring leaders who will create value without causing harm. Relevant coursework, including Supply Chain and Operations Management, will equip you with the knowledge to solve real-world problems.

John Carroll is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post Supply Chain Resiliency: Three Companies with Resilient Supply Chains Setting the Example first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

Future-Proofing Business

As we have witnessed, global disasters, such as the COVID pandemic, have a major impact on supply chain logistics and labor. A survey by the Institute for Supply Management, reports that 95 percent of businesses have experienced operational problems because of the pandemic.

In other cases, disruptions are internal company matters, such as machine breakdown, product recalls, and management changes.

Riskmethods Inc. categorizes potential risks to current supply chains in the following way:

·   Cybersecurity (e.g., poor information security practices, network and software vulnerabilities)

·   Financial and company viability (e.g., force majeure, revenue outlook)

·   Geopolitical (e.g., civil unrest, tariff hikes)

·   Man-made (e.g., fires, explosions)

·   Natural disaster (e.g., extreme weather, earthquakes)

·   Reputational and compliance (e.g., conflict of interest, sustainable procurement)

Resilient Supply Chain Strategies

Supply chain risks and market disruptions have grown. According to pre-pandemic research, companies experience a disruption every 3.7 years on average. These disruptions take a major financial toll on companies.

The heightened risks mean that creating a resilient supply chain is a top priority across industries. Business leaders state that updating their supply chain strategies will be necessary to become more resilient and competitive in the future market. Organizations must prepare for disruptions by adapting strategies, products, and technologies to endure crises.

Supply chains have many independent links. Agile supply chains use processes and technologies that allow them to anticipate and respond quickly to risks that come along.

Additionally, resilient supply chains incorporate strategic planning to synchronize the connections of the chain.

When it comes to measuring supply chain resilience, businesses of all types are leveraging data. The Brookings Institution calls end-to-end, data-driven, supply chain control a core tenet of resiliency.

In addition to using data, Accenture offers other principles of resilient supply chains:

·   Support workers and put people first

·   Define segmentation to prioritize demand

·   Mobilize planning and execution teams who can respond effectively

·   Evaluate various supply chain scenarios

Adapting to Supply Chain Pressures and Realities

Market trends and customer behavior changes have greatly impacted supply chains.

The rise of e-commerce has created demand for fast delivery and personalized shopping experiences. Higher expectations have impacted businesses and logistics. Digital transformation and technological solutions are viewed as ways to make retail supply chains more resilient.

John Carroll University

As a leader in business, you can make a difference in a rapidly changing world. Build your career resiliency through a graduate business program designed to give you a competitive edge in the job market. The Master’s of Business Administration programs at John Carroll University develop leadership skills in strategy, innovation, problem-solving, and decision-making across business disciplines. The Boler College of Business is committed to inspiring leaders who will create value without causing harm. Relevant coursework, including Supply Chain and Operations Management, will equip you with the knowledge to solve real-world problems.

John Carroll is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post Understanding Supply Chain Resilience to Build A Better Business For The Future first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

• The Boler Online MBA program can be completed in 1-3 years and requires a total of 33-45 credit hours.
• The Emerging Leader MBA does not require professional work experience and can be completed in an (accelerated) 12 month schedule, or students may take up to 3 years to complete the degree part-time. 
• The Professional MBA is a part-time, cohort-based program that focuses on live projects, team-taught courses, a leadership sequence and exposure to leading industry executives. 

The value of an MBA for a full-time professional can be felt long before graduation. We offer these 3 Quick Tips for anyone considering a professional MBA.

#1. 

Seek opportunities to apply what you learn in class immediately at work — this will allow supervisors to see you in a new light during your workday.

Tip: Look for the right time to share an informed opinion on your company’s finance decisions, supply chain options or brand management. Co-workers and supervisors will take note. Take good notes when CEOs and other business leaders speak to your cohort, and share their insights with colleagues and on social media. 

Data point: 71% of part-time MBA graduates report an earnings bump. (Source: GMAC)

#2. 

Seek out special projects announced within your work team and other opportunities to put fresh MBA knowledge to work for your employer.

Tip: When special projects get assigned at work, make a case for why your MBA can add fresh insights to the team. Frame the time you spend in evening classes as a value-add to your employer, rather than an obstacle.

Data Point: Employers worldwide list “continuous talent attraction” as their #2 concern. (Source: Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends).

#3

Seek an opportunity to test your risk tolerance and flex your start-up muscles within the relative safety of a live company project or startup competition.

Tip: Join the Muldoon Center for Entrepreneurship and meet business owners who know what it takes for a new business to succeed. 

Data Point: 10% of a typical MBA class contains people who have already started or plan to start a company (Source: GMAC)

Your Future in Business

At John Carroll University (JCU), we know that data continues to show that a graduate business degree promises a solid monetary return on your investment. A graduate business degree from John Carroll also inspires you to model how good people are good for business.

John Carroll is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post 3 Quick Tips for Making a Professional MBA Work for You While You’re Working first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

The Importance of Supply Chain Management During the Pandemic

“Before the pandemic,” says DiCillo, a double major in Supply Chain Management and Marketing, “I would mention supply chain, and people would say something like, “can you explain what that means?”  Now, when I mention supply chain people say “oh, way to go, great time to major in that!” 

Maybe no issue outside of vaccines has dominated the conversation during the past 18-24 months as much as global supply chain bottlenecks. In a country like the United States, where consumer spending comprises 70% of all GDP, half-full store shelves and longer-than-normal wait times for durable goods (from pickup trucks to refrigerators) have drawn attention to an aspect of the economy once barely seen by the average consumer.

The drama played out with container ships stalled in the cue at ports in Long Beach and Los Angeles, and labor shortages (everything from truck drivers to data analysts), threatening every link along the chain.

“Americans suddenly realized that their favorite brands — Nike, GM, Lego, Ikea —  don’t actually make much of their products in house anymore,” said Sebastian Brockhaus, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management in the Department of Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain in the Boler College of Business.

Supply Chain Management through the Lens of Jesuit Business Values

Brockhaus and his Boler College of Business Supply Chain students examine supply chain issues through the lens of Jesuit business values. Beyond the manufacturer’s or customer’s point of view, John Carroll students analyze data on compliance, and worker safety and well-being throughout the developing world.

DiCillo points to a case involving IKEA and what the industry calls “breach of promise” allegations involving child labor and a contract rug maker. “Professor Brockhaus persistently challenges our thinking in class,” she says. “He asks us to think critically about moral issues that can surface in supply chain management. The IKEA case stood out because it involved moral and financial issues on both the supply chain purchasing side as well as the marketing perspective.”

Where Social Responsibility and Supply Chain Management Intersect

“My research looks at industry codes of conduct (CoC), and how adherence to those codes and norms have shifted over time,” Brockhaus says.  “Our analysis of corporate codes of conduct reveals that companies have become more aware – even acutely aware – of the need to address CSR issues.”

“They want to be seen as socially responsible,” he continues. “They also know that in today’s social-media world customers increasingly hold them accountable for what happens upstream in their supply chain. Our primary research question evaluates not just how companies are responding to mounting CSR pressures as they evolve their CoC, but more importantly, the motivations behind the evolution.”

A good example is California-based Levi Strauss, a $5 billion global apparel brand. Whereas apparel companies have historically not accepted responsibility for worker conditions beyond their direct control (Tier I suppliers), Levi Strauss has gone public with a “going beyond compliance” campaign that holds the company accountable for worker safety and wages deep into the supply chain (Tier II and Tier III suppliers).

At best, 90 percent of apparel brands hint at the need for Tier II and Tier III compliance, but often look the other way on enforcement and insulate themselves from any direct responsibility, according to Brockhaus. He adds that Levi Strauss is making a calculated investment, aware that developing compliance deeper into their supply chain gives them a measure of predictability, not to mention consumer approval and good will.

In his research results, Brockhaus concludes: “We find that codes of conduct have shown a tendency of making the lowest acceptable common denominator the established norm rather than setting aspirational goals. On the bright side, we see a shift from simply penalizing suppliers for misconduct to developing companies in countries of origin to be able to achieve compliance and beyond. Importantly, this opens up the market for firms to pursue competitive advantages via superior social and ecological standards.” 

He’s currently directing three John Carroll University honors students on thesis projects that will update the CoC data for 2020 and 2021 and take a closer look at compliance with those codes. The project is not limited to Boler students but also involves a student who majors in Psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences – highlighting the strength of John Carroll to collaborate across academic disciplines.

“We’re seeing the issue of social responsibility and supply chain bottlenecks converging,” Brockhaus says. “Now, more than ever, companies want to avoid a situation where there is documented misconduct. Given all the underlying supply chain challenges, it’s not a time that companies want to be forced to find new suppliers because that can take months even under the best of conditions.”

John Carroll University’s Boler College of Business offers a Supply Chain Management degree program. This degree will prepare you to rethink and re-engineer business processes in a variety of settings, types and sizes.  Learn more about the Supply Chain Management degree.

The post John Carroll Building a Socially Responsible Supply Chain Management Program for Post-COVID Ohio first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.