“The Marblehead Letter”
Summary of Key Points
A natural agenda of issues is shaping the future, especially for corporations with global scope
• The social divide: the ever-widening gap between those participating in the increasingly interdependent global economy and those not. For how long can 15% of the people get 85% of the goodies?
• Redefining growth: economic growth based on ever increasing material use and discard is inconsistent with a finite world. How long can we keep piling up more junk in the same box?
• Variety and inclusiveness: developing inclusion as a core competence in increasingly multi-cultural organizations.
Who is “the we?”
• Attracting talented people and realizing their potential: developing commitment in a world of “free agents” and “volunteer” talent. What are we committed to, really?
• The role of the corporation: extending the traditional role of the corporation, especially the global corporation, to be more commensurate with its impact. Just how accountable will society expect us to be?
• The system seeing itself: the challenges of coordination and coherence in social systems.
How can we stop going faster while dimming the headlights?
June, 2001
Group VP, BP
Office of the CEO, Hewlett-Packard
VP, Networking and Communications Group, Intel
Human Resources Director, Shell International
Global Director of Environmental Affairs, Visteon