Page 11 - KZN Business Sense 8.3 - Ebook

AN HOUR WITH PROFESSOR MERVYN KING

David White, CEO DRG and business leaders excel, and towards meeting pre-defined to others that seek to establish manner. Responsible corporate
to assist in areas where support outcomes is important in their value creating pursuits in citizenship strengthens
had the great joy of an hour- and development is desperately improving success rates of the economy for the betterment employee engagement and
long meeting with Professor needed. organisations in the markets – no of communities, society, the commitment, raises staffing
I ervyn King, an elder in Having recognised that a matter how young or mature the environment, and the world at energy levels, and enhances
M
our South African business framework detailing key focus businesses are in the economy. large.” Professor King went on purpose and contribution from
community, and a giant in global He explained that there was, to say that the King Committee individuals and teams within
governance and sustainability. areas is hugely supportive from a however, a further more critical had recognised that the best the organisation.
It was to be an hour that I will mentoring perspective, my first consideration, which is ethical frameworks ever conceptualised I was not amazed by Professor
question to Professor King was to
not forget, and will forever ask him the reason he may have and effective leadership from the needed to start with the concept King’s focus on leadership
guide my considerations in governing body, and assurance that the organisation was and culture as being critical
business leadership, mentoring considered why the economy had that the organisation is free from incapacitated, and its corporate in organisational success.
and economic development not adopted a stated business influencers such as corruption, leaders were the heart, mind, soul However, I had not up to this
framework of reporting that
discussions. greed, and the like. and conscience of the company.
encouraged business leaders to point considered that ethical
Having already shared some be aligned in meeting corporate Professor King emphasised that Great value is given to and effective leadership and
emails between ourselves governance principles and some of the greatest minds on organisations that meet meeting responsible corporate
speaking about our passions, practices, which in turn meet earth had been drawn together legislative requirements and citizenship expectations was in
work and interests, our meeting organisational expectation and over the past decades to focus on operate efficiently, as well fact more critical than providing
started at a fast pace. In terms of stakeholder outcomes intentions. models to support ESG initiatives, as ensure value creation and a governance framework to guide
background, our work at DRG The motivation of the BusinessFit integrated reporting, and the process effectiveness. To business leaders and governing
and BusinessFit has been in bodies towards achieving success
creating a business framework for and prosperity. The realisation
organisations to use in assessing of Professor King’s focus and
their organisational sustainability contribution became obvious
from Environmental, Social, and right away, as it is relatively
Governance (ESG) perspectives. easy for business leaders and
These are contributions to the organisational teams to follow
development of communities and processes to reach milestones
society as a whole, supporting and goals; whereas when they are
the respectful use of raw empowered to make collective
materials and replenishment decisions, they do at times
of the environment’s natural become subjective, and choose
resources, and following a outcomes that positively affect
governance framework of ethics their individual prosperity and
and effectiveness to improve hierarchal endeavours, rather
businesses contribution to the that recognising their true
creation of a sustainable economy. responsibility as leaders and
governing bodies for the long
The BusinessFit business assurance term best interests of the health of
process considers four critical the organisation.
perspectives evident in every As I sit at my desk now, I
business, namely: realise how much I have learnt
■ Leadership, ethics, and from the great Professor King,
value creation and that all the good intentions
■ Functional area foundation and we have infused into a guiding
quality assurance and controls business framework and
ecosystem to support successful
■ Defined outcome intentions outcomes of entrepreneurial and
and stakeholder measurements business outcomes is affected
■ Organisational culture positively or negatively by the
effectiveness and staffing simple process of thinking,
engagement levels considerations, and actions
Professor Mervyn King adopted by business leaders.
The BusinessFit business It is clear that maturity in the
assurance and business leader framework is to improve business development of manageable business leaders and governing
mentoring process draws success in the open market, governance frameworks. He support the aim of encouraging bodies who recognise their role
together aspects from the King and the effect of course is well- continued by saying that although leaders and governing bodies in society as critical in creating
IV governance framework, as the structured and well-managed many of these fine minds brought to adopt ethical practices, the engaged work environments
foundation to a leader’s and the businesses having a reduction together for this purpose of term Responsible Corporate that include community,
governing body’s organisational in wasted resources, adding improving business effective Citizenship was created. environmental, social, and
roles and responsibilities. These commodity value to communities, considerations had different Responsible corporate governance considerations are
focus areas aim to help ensure providing confidence in success backgrounds and perspectives citizenship is recognition by the guiding lights needed to
an ethical and effective work expectation, and creating on organisational success, each an organisation, no matter help improve our collective and
intention and staffing culture, sustainable employment. had a valuable contribution to its incorporation, that it has economic challenges. 
community value creation and make in defining supportive legal, social, cultural and
organisational productivity, Considering that Professor King business frameworks to result in environmental responsibilities. E: david@drg.co.za
suitable operational and system has an unrivaled background more businesses being successful Being a responsible corporate
support applications, quality in law, business, leadership, in the market. However, what citizen means being guided
assurance, risk management integrated reporting, and is the business frameworks do not by moral and ethical standards
and adequate controls, known the world over as a include is human capital, except in daily interactions with
strategy development and leading resource and authority for the integrated reporting customers, stakeholders,
implementation, business in sustainability measures framework. Conscious corporate and employees. Responsible
minded linkages and and corporate governance leadership as the collective mind corporate citizens value,
considerations, and a foundation frameworks, there is no one of a board is the important factor. monitor and beneficially SCAN
of trust and legitimacy. better in my opinion to respond affect communities and QR CODE
to this important question and Professor King continued by societies at large, and do not
Each business, as we know well, consideration. Professor King saying, “One hopes that mankind absorb more raw materials TO SEE
has its own uniqueness, and the wasted no time in responding, does one day reach that point from the environment than VIDEO
BusinessFit model’s intention is and agreed that a common of evolution where in a mature can be replaced by nature
to help identify and encourage framework supporting activities and caring fashion is able to herself in a reasonable period (Open camera on phone for 2-3secs over
those areas where entrepreneurs and strategies to drive businesses share knowledge and kindness of time – and in a constructive the QR Code to see the video link.)

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