Comments for worldwork - ebbf - mindful people, meaningful work http://ebbf.org/blog mindful people, meaningful work Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:12:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Comment on be politely loud about your values – highlights from moral leadership “ebbf meaningful hangout” by Marc Himel http://ebbf.org/blog/be-politely-loud-about-your-values-highlights-from-moral-leadership-ebbf-meaningful-hangout/#comment-7379 Marc Himel Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:12:26 +0000 http://ebbf.org/blog/?p=966#comment-7379 After we ended our conversation yesterday I realized that we didn't discuss the role of unity in our actions. When we consider our actions in any situation, we need to ensure that every thing we do or say should ultimately build unity between all of the stakeholders. If our actions and words cause disunity, were they morally right? I think not. We do need to look at all the stakeholders involved. In the Goldman case, did publishing an article in the newspaper promote unity or disunity. First, who are the stakeholders: 1) the disgruntled employee, 2) the other ~30,000 employees, 3) GS management, 4) GS customers, 5) the public. I don't know about you, but I can't imaging being an employee of GS and appreciate being called greedy and selfish in public by someone I probably even never met. Is that building unity? Instigating mistrust among all (or at least some) of GS's customers also does not appear to be building unity. To promote further discussion, let me ask this: what actions would promote unity? And how can we use this case to ensure we are building unity in our organizations with every action we take or word we speak? After we ended our conversation yesterday I realized that we didn’t discuss the role of unity in our actions. When we consider our actions in any situation, we need to ensure that every thing we do or say should ultimately build unity between all of the stakeholders. If our actions and words cause disunity, were they morally right? I think not. We do need to look at all the stakeholders involved. In the Goldman case, did publishing an article in the newspaper promote unity or disunity.

First, who are the stakeholders: 1) the disgruntled employee, 2) the other ~30,000 employees, 3) GS management, 4) GS customers, 5) the public.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t imaging being an employee of GS and appreciate being called greedy and selfish in public by someone I probably even never met. Is that building unity?

Instigating mistrust among all (or at least some) of GS’s customers also does not appear to be building unity.

To promote further discussion, let me ask this: what actions would promote unity? And how can we use this case to ensure we are building unity in our organizations with every action we take or word we speak?

]]> Comment on greg smith, goldman sachs and the morality debate by lawrence miller by Francisco Viyuela http://ebbf.org/blog/greg-smith-goldman-sachs-and-the-morality-debate/#comment-7167 Francisco Viyuela Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:11:00 +0000 http://ebbf.org/blog/?p=948#comment-7167 Having worked in the financial services industry for almost 15 years now in several functions (audit, internal control, financial analysis and fund manager) I have to say that in my opinion the problems that Greg Smith mentions in his letter are not exclusive to Goldman. I have seen them across almost all the institutions I have worked for over the years. There is a focus on short term goals and profitability which many times goes against the long term benefit of everyone involved (employees, shareholders & clients). There are also many conflicts of interest which are still not properly resolved which pressure employees to make the wrong decisions. Management oversight in financial institutions is very difficult to implement too. Work is of a very technical nature and has reached high levels of specialization which means that in most institutions it is very difficult to monitor real compliance with even basic moral values. The high rotation of employees across all levels of the organization also makes it difficult to implement and maintain an organizational culture that promotes stability and long term focus. It hasn't always been like this in the financial services industry. Decades ago, the business model of these institutions was better regulated with an increased focused in separating custody & management activities from pure risk taking ones and also there were more employee owned institutions which tend to have a more conservative and long term focus on their behavior. Right now there are several attempts to try and go back to the old business model. In the US the Glass-Steagall act that separated investment from commercial banking after the Great depression but was later repealed is resurfacing in the shape of the Dodd-Frank / Volcker regulations and in the UK there is also a move from the FSA to ring-fence commercial banking from higher risk activities and prevent the existence of systemically critical institutions that have perverse risk taking incentives. Having worked in the financial services industry for almost 15 years now in several functions (audit, internal control, financial analysis and fund manager) I have to say that in my opinion the problems that Greg Smith mentions in his letter are not exclusive to Goldman. I have seen them across almost all the institutions I have worked for over the years. There is a focus on short term goals and profitability which many times goes against the long term benefit of everyone involved (employees, shareholders & clients). There are also many conflicts of interest which are still not properly resolved which pressure employees to make the wrong decisions. Management oversight in financial institutions is very difficult to implement too. Work is of a very technical nature and has reached high levels of specialization which means that in most institutions it is very difficult to monitor real compliance with even basic moral values. The high rotation of employees across all levels of the organization also makes it difficult to implement and maintain an organizational culture that promotes stability and long term focus. It hasn’t always been like this in the financial services industry. Decades ago, the business model of these institutions was better regulated with an increased focused in separating custody & management activities from pure risk taking ones and also there were more employee owned institutions which tend to have a more conservative and long term focus on their behavior. Right now there are several attempts to try and go back to the old business model. In the US the Glass-Steagall act that separated investment from commercial banking after the Great depression but was later repealed is resurfacing in the shape of the Dodd-Frank / Volcker regulations and in the UK there is also a move from the FSA to ring-fence commercial banking from higher risk activities and prevent the existence of systemically critical institutions that have perverse risk taking incentives.

]]> Comment on carrie freeman, director of sustainable business innovation, Intel Eco-Technology on bringing sustainable innovation into the office by Business innovation http://ebbf.org/blog/carrie-freeman-director-of-sustainable-business-innovation-intel-eco-technology-on-bringing-sustainable-innovation-into-the-office/#comment-4400 Business innovation Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:07:20 +0000 http://ebbf.org/blog/?p=628#comment-4400 Very Interesting! Way to go Carrie, I wish more company would hire people like you! Very Interesting! Way to go Carrie, I wish more company would hire people like you!

]]> Comment on Actions in this critical decade, european lessons and new global governance and leadership by Wendi Momen http://ebbf.org/blog/actions-in-this-critical-decade-european-lessons-and-new-global-governance-and-leadership/#comment-4076 Wendi Momen Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:22:37 +0000 http://ebbf.org/blog/?p=775#comment-4076 Excellent analysis! Thanks! Excellent analysis! Thanks!

]]> Comment on Barney Leith – OBE today – sending you a meaningful job offer by Ralph Blundell http://ebbf.org/blog/barney-leith-obe-today-and-a-meaningful-job-offer-for-you/#comment-2782 Ralph Blundell Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:38:31 +0000 http://ebbf.org/blog/?p=733#comment-2782 Joyous tidings - fantastic news and we warmly congratulate Barney on his OBE. His service is inspirational. Ralph and Lynda Blundell Joyous tidings – fantastic news and we warmly congratulate Barney on his OBE. His service is inspirational.
Ralph and Lynda Blundell

]]> Comment on Questions going to the root of the global financial crisis by Eyobed Teklegiorgis http://ebbf.org/blog/questions-going-to-the-root-of-the-global-financial-crisis/#comment-1844 Eyobed Teklegiorgis Sun, 21 Aug 2011 11:33:48 +0000 http://ebbf.org/blog/?p=598#comment-1844 The market economy is not sustainable model of economy. It was really has function for some few decades however the resource of the plant is at risk and the knowledge of technology to transfer to the commodity almost in every hand, the expenditure of every nation almost above their income, the power of the economy is not on the hand of the government but on the hand of a few capitalist , then how do we reconcile the current illness of humanity, further more the most extraordinary decadence of the society are a few to mention the problem of humanity. Therefore every solution to the current problem of humanity is working for one common goal to benefit the all as one citizen of the world. The market economy is not sustainable model of economy. It was really has function for some few decades however the resource of the plant is at risk and the knowledge of technology to transfer to the commodity almost in every hand, the expenditure of every nation almost above their income, the power of the economy is not on the hand of the government but on the hand of a few capitalist , then how do we reconcile the current illness of humanity, further more the most extraordinary decadence of the society are a few to mention the problem of humanity. Therefore every solution to the current problem of humanity is working for one common goal to benefit the all as one citizen of the world.

]]> Comment on The career of … being a mother by Mary Wilson http://ebbf.org/blog/the-career-of-being-a-mother/#comment-805 Mary Wilson Tue, 10 May 2011 16:36:07 +0000 http://ebbf.org/blog/?p=527#comment-805 This was insightful and is helping me as a grandmother spending a great deal of time taking care of a grandchild. Thank you. This was insightful and is helping me as a grandmother spending a great deal of time taking care of a grandchild. Thank you.

]]> Comment on The career of … being a mother by Julia Väisänen http://ebbf.org/blog/the-career-of-being-a-mother/#comment-794 Julia Väisänen Mon, 09 May 2011 12:42:52 +0000 http://ebbf.org/blog/?p=527#comment-794 After reading the article and watching the video my first thought was that I have to send that to my mum right away. I've been thinking of her often and thought that I am one of the most blessed children in the world because my mother always stayed home with us-we are also four :) She gave us all her time and lots of love. Tought us how to do to use the wonderful creativity that lyes inside of us, how to treat everyone with friendlyness and respect (even bees) and to believe in our seves no matter how bad we were in school (in my case)... always supporting us no mater what. And yes: being a mother never stops. Even now that I am officially an adult (29) she still helps me to stay on a positive track when I am down. Just a few days ago I tried to think of who is the wisest person I know...the person I got the wisest advises from and I figured out it is my mom (and my dad). I'll be happy if I get the honor myself to be a mother one day. And then I'll try to remember that it is the most precious/important job in the world. About what we can do to be even better/to give our profession a vision: "Once I had a dream where a kind voice said: treat every mother as if she would be the mother of Jesus"" For me it meant to treat every mother with the utmost respect and adoration and honor that she deserves. To see that every mother has the inner potential to raise up a beautiful and loving child who's light will shine into the whole world...even after hundrets of years. I think it needs everyone's support to let the mothers of the world know: you are the ones that have the potential to turn this world into a paradise and you have our fullest trust, faith and support!!! Thank you Funlayo!!! With light and love and a big warm hug, Julia After reading the article and watching the video my first thought was that I have to send that to my mum right away. I’ve been thinking of her often and thought that I am one of the most blessed children in the world because my mother always stayed home with us-we are also four :) She gave us all her time and lots of love. Tought us how to do to use the wonderful creativity that lyes inside of us, how to treat everyone with friendlyness and respect (even bees) and to believe in our seves no matter how bad we were in school (in my case)… always supporting us no mater what. And yes: being a mother never stops. Even now that I am officially an adult (29) she still helps me to stay on a positive track when I am down. Just a few days ago I tried to think of who is the wisest person I know…the person I got the wisest advises from and I figured out it is my mom (and my dad). I’ll be happy if I get the honor myself to be a mother one day. And then I’ll try to remember that it is the most precious/important job in the world.

About what we can do to be even better/to give our profession a vision: “Once I had a dream where a kind voice said: treat every mother as if she would be the mother of Jesus”" For me it meant to treat every mother with the utmost respect and adoration and honor that she deserves. To see that every mother has the inner potential to raise up a beautiful and loving child who’s light will shine into the whole world…even after hundrets of years. I think it needs everyone’s support to let the mothers of the world know: you are the ones that have the potential to turn this world into a paradise and you have our fullest trust, faith and support!!!

Thank you Funlayo!!!
With light and love and a big warm hug,
Julia

]]> Comment on Richard Barrett and Paul Hughes: Speakers at forthcoming ebbf conference by ONE TO ONE: MAKE IT MEANINGFUL CONFERENCE DAY 2 : worldwork – ebbf – mindful people, meaningful work http://ebbf.org/blog/richard-barrett-and-paul-hughes-speakers-at-forthcoming-ebbf-conference/#comment-784 ONE TO ONE: MAKE IT MEANINGFUL CONFERENCE DAY 2 : worldwork – ebbf – mindful people, meaningful work Sat, 07 May 2011 20:53:01 +0000 http://ebbf.org/blog/?p=497#comment-784 [...] and consciousness. I won’t introduce his outstanding record here, because I profiled him in a recent One to One column. Richard captured one of the key factors in making this conference powerful: “”One [...] [...] and consciousness. I won’t introduce his outstanding record here, because I profiled him in a recent One to One column. Richard captured one of the key factors in making this conference powerful: “”One [...]

]]> Comment on offering you – a new paradigm of work - by Introducing the International ebbf Conference, May 6-8 worldwork - ebbf - mindful people, meaningful work : worldwork – ebbf – mindful people, meaningful work http://ebbf.org/blog/offering-you-a-new-paradigm-of-work/#comment-422 Introducing the International ebbf Conference, May 6-8 worldwork - ebbf - mindful people, meaningful work : worldwork – ebbf – mindful people, meaningful work Sun, 27 Mar 2011 01:14:52 +0000 http://ebbf.org/blog/?p=200#comment-422 [...] one of these genuine events, inner as well as outer, in just over a months’ time, at the ebbf international conference on 6-8 of May, the latest in its series on international events designed to explore the boundaries [...] [...] one of these genuine events, inner as well as outer, in just over a months’ time, at the ebbf international conference on 6-8 of May, the latest in its series on international events designed to explore the boundaries [...]

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