Message from B. Verwaayen
Message from Ben Verwaayen
CEO of Alcatel-Lucent
Corporate Responsibility is a business imperative for Alcatel-Lucent, just like meeting the expectations of our customers and our investors. For that reason, each year we issue a report disclosing our Corporate Responsibility results, just as we issue one on our financial results.
The fact is, for more and more of our customers being a good, active corporate citizen is one of the criteria they use when making a buying decision, and that alone makes it an issue for investors as well.
That sensitivity makes sense. A rational business person wants to do business only with those companies that operate with integrity and strive to do the right thing at all times. They want to do business with companies whose products and services help make the world better for all people, are able to respond effectively to global challenges with bold new thinking and achieve meaningful business results. We are meeting those expectations, as we come into the final year of our three year transformation plan.
The world faces many tough challenges, and three we can have the most impact on are climate change, inclusion and the transformation to digital economies. I am particularly proud of the work we are doing in the area of protecting our planet. We are well on our way to meeting our 2020 goal of halving our greenhouse gas emissions. But more important are the revolutionary technologies and broad stakeholder approaches we are developing to build more sustainable networks for our customers and how we are helping them develop strategies to cut their own carbon emissions.
We also are ensuring more people have access to the digital economy - that is the essence of our business. Through our innovative products and services, and approach, we are enabling access to the world's best communications and information technology in ways that are affordable, sustainable and ultimately inclusive.
But it is about more than technology development. Digital economies already benefit those of us in the developed world, but we need to take steps to ensure the inclusion of those in the developing world as well. The Alcatel-Lucent Foundation funds programs that help young people in disadvantaged communities acquire the life skills they need to secure good careers and become contributing members of their communities. Our employees donate their time to help others in their communities across the globe.
We also are investing in our own people and leveraging the advantages our diverse employee population gives us. We are giving them tools to help them develop their talents and broaden their career opportunities regardless of where they are located around the globe.
Lastly, compliance was an issue for us as we dealt with activities that took place several years ago. We have taken steps to make sure it isn't anymore, with training, rigorous audits and an absolute zero tolerance policy toward any violations of our policies. We only do business with partners, suppliers and contractors who share and support our values. We are part of a global community. We know we need to bring value to those communities in which we live and work in new ways. We do that through the innovative products, solutions and services we deliver, by working with other responsible partners and by making the principles of a responsible company part of our culture and our day-to-day behaviour.
