The Resilient Business
From a publication by the Jubilee Centre
The Jubilee Centre, together with Faith in Business and LICC (London Institute for Contemporary Christianity). recently conducted research with senior executives from eight companies to explore how over time their Christian faith has influenced the companies’ goals, values and working practices. The results have been published in a booklet; The Resilient Business: embedding Christian values in your company’s DNA.
It provides answers on how do we move from individually living out Christian values at work to embedding a Christian ethos at the heart of our organisations? And how do we make sure that ethos really sticks, especially in times of change and challenge, to create resilient companies?
It is written to encourage, inspire and challenge Christian managers and directors. The authors hope to convince readers that the quality of relationships among the diverse stakeholders of a business is crucial to its economic success as well as to achieving its wider purpose or mission.
The intention is that this will bring fresh perspectives on applying Jesus’ teaching in the Great Commandment, to love our neighbour as ourselves, in the challenging environment of the competitive business world.
I went to an event to launch the booklet and we heard from some of the executives involved. Some of the key behaviours that were highlighted were:
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openness and accountability of the executive with staff
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frequent communication, especially face to face with staff
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concern for the individual and the community
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treatment of and communication with clients and suppliers
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taking a longer term view of the business rather than shortcuts for short term profit gain
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upholding and modelling values
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building a shared purpose
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giving to charity
The booklet contains more and you can order it or download the Kindle version
here
“Businesses operate in a market system that needs to be regulated to provide it with moral direction and constraint. But the painful experience of the last decade underlines that regulation alone is not enough. Change is needed at the heart level that reintroduces a concern for others in the ways we trade, create and share wealth. This study, while clearly limited in scope, illustrates very well how those who carry a relational ethos at the heart of their business will in some measure contribute to the flourishing of all of their stakeholders. Its recommendations should be required reading for those already at the helm or thinking of a start-up.”
James Featherby, Chair, Church of England Ethical Investment Advisory Group
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From a publication by the Jubilee Centre, 15/02/2017