Study: Corporate citizenship in companies
Corporate citizenship involves not only regulations, but also natural growth, profitability and sustainability in corporate development. According to this year's Top500 study conducted by Accenture in collaboration with the University of St. Gallen, 50 out of 500 Swiss companies surveyed significantly outperformed their competitors in terms of these dimensions.
Companies that excel in corporate citizenship not only masterfully juggle cost bases efficiently, they also shine with outstanding sustainability activities.
Many growth champions pursue an integrated strategy that combines growth, profitability and sustainability activities. Other common features that set them apart from their competitors were:
Growth
1. focus on an outstanding customer experience
2. exploration of new geographical markets and customer segments
3. growth through engagement in business ecosystems
4. using digitalisation to develop new value propositions
5. program-driven M&A for growth and the development of new competencies
Profitability
6. avoiding short-term cost reductions and striving for sustainable cost excellence
7. application of zero-base budgeting techniques
Sustainability
8. focus on corporate citizenship
9. strengthening customer confidence through sustainability initiatives
Sustainability as a "license to grow
This year's top performers not only focused on their growth opportunities and profitability, but also recognized the importance of corporate sustainability as a "license to grow." They have also consciously implemented sustainability initiatives to strengthen customer trust and focused on meeting societal expectations for corporate citizenship.
Interestingly, this year's top500 growth champions have also made greater strides in terms of digital innovation, according to Accenture's "Digital Index Switzerland 2017" points out."
Value management as a key element
Implementing an integrated strategy that enables a link between growth, profitability and sustainability is a challenge - especially for large organizations that are characterized by siloed structures, processes and corporate cultures. A universal method is highly unlikely to work, so proper execution is the key to success.
For this purpose, it is recommended to have a value management department that interacts with all stakeholders to optimize coordination, manage the effective realization of benefits across all parties, and network and make a corporate strategy comprehensive.
This year's champions
This year's biggest Swiss growth champions include Mobilezone Holding AG, u-blox Holding AG and Calida Holding AG.
These "growth champions" have managed to achieve growth of over 7% in the last five years, with above-average profitability levels. They are true all-rounders, constantly generating new growth opportunities.
