This event, commonly attributed to Einstein, as reflected very graphic issues facing responsible practices within companies, especially when those who insist on measurable benefits in the short term, give preference to the alternative quoted, anonymously, that " can only manage what you can measure . " According to these, if we can not measure, we can not manage and then it is best to do nothing that is not measurable.
body perishes we find a dilemma. On the one hand the high priority given in the management of the measurable business to the tangible, and secondly the difficulty many responsible practices to demonstrate measurable benefits. Unfortunately at the cost not So the problem there are tangible in the short term. But the benefits are often long term and often intangible. Not to mention the intangible costs avoided by making good forecasts. There is thus great pressure on those who promote responsible practices can be measured. Do not just use a lot of pretty words and promises. The argument that must be done because it is right is not sustainable.
To convince the skeptics and to initiate or continue programs of corporate responsibility often have to appeal to the business case ( business case) that these practices have benefits, whether in the form of improvements in income, reductions or reduced costs risk. For many advocates of these practices would suffice to say that the benefits are intangible and long term, but the skeptics want to see tangible and in the short term. Both are right. Unfortunately many times those who control the decisions are in favor of the latest version, any costs are incurred if and only if concurrent yield measurable benefits, especially if their bonuses are tied to profits in the short term. Some purists to take the book version, which requires that the results of the practices are reflected in the financial statements, and not just the cost. For them, the benefits can not be measured does not count.
To promote responsible practices have to extend the measurable field and look for patterns of quantification, but often do not amount to express in monetary terms. And much of the problem is that the measure is also costly, but the investment in measurement can be profitable if they can demonstrate benefits.
And the recent crisis has made it even more necessary. The crisis clearly see the costs of responsible practices and put them to compete, within budget, with other investments and expenses of more tangible benefits.
Many times, to justify, say some employee benefits, such as combining work and family (Eg to work from home some days), or putting a cafe in the workplace, increase labor productivity. But they show only what we say, maybe with an example of circumstantial. This may be enough for us to approve a pilot program, but not to a permanent program. For this we will demonstrate increased productivity. So it is important that these pilot schemes are accompanied by information and data collection to enable us to measure the impact not only how they used or how much it cost.
This is a very common error in CSR: ignore the impact measurement. When you want to measure it that the program had not incorporated the measurement system and any special study ex post is very expensive and fail to demonstrate the business case. Have been developed, especially in recent times, methods for the quantification of what are considered intangible, although not specifically developed for corporate responsibility issues, can be used. This can be quantified via surveys, special studies in pilot cases, compared with other companies, among other methodologies.
Obviously there are many responsible practices with tangible benefits and that its measurement is relatively simple, such as savings resource consumption (water, electricity, packaging, recycling, etc..), which do not require special technology.
But I think the wisdom of Einstein is imposed. There are many things that can be measured, but do not have and others have, but unfortunately can not be measured. But we must make the effort.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND NEW YEAR ALL THE MORE WE RESPONSIBLE
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