Corporate Diplomacy

Ulrich Stegers new book, Corporate Diplomacy, opens the door to a new perception of what responsible and sustainable leadership is all about and broadens our vision to better grasp the complexity of the global agenda. Jürgen Dormann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Aventis SAThis book is a timely reminder that we are all sitting in the same boat, whether we represent business, NGOs or government: we all carry a joint, yet differentiated responsibility for the fate of future generations. For me it is also a stark manifestation of the fact that diplomacy simply understood as defence strategy, or a tactic to camouflage discord, is not sustainable. Corporate diplomacy hinges on the social and environmental responsibility and the credibility of a company, as much as it is about explaining and positioning its business case. Dr Claude Martin, Director General, WWF InternationalUlrich Steger deals with the challenges of how to communicate efficiently with public networks, whether they are governments, unions, NGOs, the press or the general public, both in normal times and in times of corporate crises. The IMD background of Ulrich Steger guarantees that we are not exposed to theory but to well researched and structured practice. Hans-Dietrich Winkhaus, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Telekom, former CEO of HenkelWhatever happens with globalization, corporate diplomacy will be a twenty-first century growth area, and Ulrich Steger is particularly well qualified to explore the emerging agenda and get under the skin of the new breed of corporate diplomats. But read this book well. Above all, understand the competing styles of diplomacy - from Nice Guy through to Stealth Bomber - before you take the plunge. John Elkington, Co-founder and Chairman of SustainAbilityRather than traversing the familiar ground of corporate social responsibility, Corporate Diplomacy charts a new course, more appropriate to the turbulent and uncertain waters that lie ahead. With the anti-globalization wave on the rise, and its associated swarm of internet-savvy NGOs, organized criminals, and global terrorists, managing stakeholders will no longer be sufficient. More important will be the development of a corporate early warning system that seeks out weak signals, engages extreme views, and engenders open-mindedness. In this book, Steger has provided both the strategic logic and the tools to chart this course. Professor Stuart Hart, Director, Center for Sustainable Enterprise, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North CarolinaCorporate Diplomacy deals with a topic that has become highly relevant for corporations: how companies should best address a public policy agenda which increasingly includes sustainability issues outside the traditional role of business to create wealth and jobs. The book offers valuable insights and advice to corporate management on how to fulfil this new diplomatic role. Björn Stigson, President, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)