Be bold & take a stand!

#Position??

Political abstinence? ... That’s so yesterday!??

Why is it important nowadays that you, me and our companies take a political stance??

It has become increasingly crucial for companies to take political positions. On the one hand, consumer expectations toward companies in terms of social and societal responsibility have increased (sustainable production, ethical standards, climate). On the other hand, employees and, above all, applicants have the same expectations.?

In addition, dealing with political issues is more important because:??

• Geopolitics is back in play - and massively so.??
• Sustainability has a broad social meaning - finally.??
• Societal values and perspectives have changed - in a very short time.?

In the recently published "CEO Outlook" by KPMG, "managing political risks" is presented as the third biggest challenge while "political risks" are the second biggest concern of CEOs.?

So: everything is politics, often even the core business. Let's just think about our international supply chains, our (hopefully) responsible AI use or our marketing claims.?

What's our point? The assumption that business and politics are independent of each other is outdated. Doing business requires us to consider ethical, social and environmental issues - and that requires us to do so individually:??

• In which industry do I want to operate???
• Where and with whom do I want to do business??
• How do I recruit employees and which ones do I promote???
• Where and from whom do I buy??

Top talents want to express their convictions and require their employer to openly address grievances.?

The intersection of politics and business is expected to increase. The continued rise of China, instability at the gates of Europe, and economic and social polarization must mean that politics becomes an essential part of strategic decision-making.?

At BCG BrightHouse, we think that's great! And why? Our DNA is to transform brands into positions!??

And: ''A democracy in which there is no debate is not a democracy at all."

- Helmut Schmidt.?

So, what do you think??

How are your companies implementing the change in perspective??