SOCIAL-IMPACT EFFORTS THAT CREATE REAL VALUE.

Companies don’t win over investors just by issuing sustainability reports and engaging in other standard ESG practices. What they need to do, says Harvard Business School’s George Serafeim, is integrate ESG efforts into strategy and operations. He makes five recommendations: Identify the material issues in your industry and develop initiatives that set your firm apart from rivals; create accountability mechanisms to ensure the board’s commitment; infuse the whole organization with a sense of purpose and enthusiasm for sustainability and good governance; decentralize ESG activities throughout your operations; and communicate regularly and transparently with investors about ESG matters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]