Transition Challenges: Overcoming the intention-realization gap
There always exists a (temporary) disconnect between ‘intention’ and ‘realization’ in the implementation of strategic aims. In the management practice, it is difficult though to ‘Walk the Talk’ and close the ‘PromisePerformance gap’. The UN Global Compact Progress Report 2019 found that 67% of their corporate signatories are committing to sustainability at the CEO-level, yet only 48% are implementing sustainability into operations. While 71% of the CEOs recognize the critical role that business could play in contributing to the delivery of the SDGs, a mere 21% believe that business is actually playing that role. The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and Bertelsmann Stiftung have repeatedly pointed at the problem of companies ‘not walking the talk’. How to overcome this gap? This session will introduce a tool – the Better Business Scan – that helps companies map where they are, where they want to go, how to reach that and what kind of operational barriers to overcome?

Moderator:
• Geanne van Arkel (Sustainability expert; CSR manager of the year 2018)

Presentation:
• Thorben Kwakkenbos: The Better Business Scan

Participants:
• prof. Rob van Tulder (RSM, Erasmus University)
• Yoeri van Alteren (Director of Change Inc.)
• Elske de Jong (Manager Sustainable Business Operations and CSR of Arcadis)
• Esther de Graaf (Consultant at TOSCA)
• Ulrike de Jong (Consultant at TOSCA)