Beyond the boardroom
In the eyes of society, business is in the doghouse. How can we rebuild corporate trust and restore self-esteem? The answer lies in looking at the bigger picture, argues Edward Speed.

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In business, context is everything, and context is changing fast. Since 2008, it has become impossible for companies to ignore their impact on society; and society—employees, consumers and other stakeholders—currently has historically low expectations of corporate behaviour. What can be done, then, to restore corporate reputation and rebuild corporate self-esteem?
Corporate trust
One could point to numerous recent cases of corporate malfeasance that have fuelled cynicism and mistrust of business in the public mind. This undermining of the pillars of business and the political and regulatory institutions which sustain them is a challenge to boards.
While society questions the long-term commitment of corporations, boards