Social Responsibility and Business: A New Web-Based Training Course Teaches Managers How the "Business-Case" for Social Responsibility Results in Gains Over Competitors

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Social Responsibility and Business: A New Web-Based Training Course Teaches

Managers How the "Business-Case" for Social Responsibility Results in Gains

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TO EDUCATION AND BUSINESS EDITORS:

Social Responsibility and Business: A New Web-Based Training Course Teaches

Managers How the "Business-Case" for Social Responsibility Results in Gains

EUROPE, Feb. 26 -/E-Wire/-- The following press release was issued today by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development:

Even the most hard-nose business skeptics can no longer deny that improvements in financial performance, reductions in operating costs, increases in sales and customer loyalty, and attracting the best and brightest employees -- are all attributable to a robust corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. Having made the "business case" for why companies should work more pro-actively on social issues, the Foundation for Business and Sustainable Development, the educational arm of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), has launched an Internet course aimed at company managers to share this collective learning.

This "e-learning" course is the culmination of an innovative project run at the WBCSD, championed by two prominent business leaders, Phil Watts, Group Managing Director of Royal Dutch/Shell Group and Lord Richard Holme of Rio Tinto.

"We believe this type of training material, as well as the opportunity virtual learning provides, represents a significant step forward in understanding the principles and practices by which companies can best live up to their responsibilities as global citizens and local neighbors. We, in Shell and Rio Tinto will be using this material to raise awareness in our companies".

According to Jan-Olaf Willums, President of the Foundation, "world-class corporations need new approaches to learning. The CSR course is innovative since it draws on the latest in interactive learning methods." Many companies have started to "walk the talk" and will be using the CSR course in their organizations. Demonstrations in the streets of Seattle and the on the slopes of Davos have peaked interest in this topic over the last several months, and companies worldwide can no longer avoid pressure to perform more responsibly. Peter Drucker, business and management guru, believes these issues are paramount. "Successful companies will be those that focus on responsibility rather than power, on long-term success and reputation rather than short-term gain," says Drucker.

Corporate social responsibility covers a variety of sensitive issues, such as human rights, supplier relations, community involvement, and environment. Introducing such a broad and complex theme successfully into a corporate structure requires skill and innovation in learning techniques. A team of professional educators and course designers spent a year synthesizing the material into a concise package that has become much more than just a course. According to Willums, "It's a tool for corporations to help them prepare for the challenges of increased expectations from society, a challenge which is now high on the global agenda."

World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Virtual Learning Partners A/S, +47-67-81-52-30, for World

Business Council for Sustainable Development

http://http://www.foundation.no/vus

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