From Me to We: How Shared Value Can Turn Companies Into Engines of Change

Review\n“A compelling, timely and masterfully written volume with a global reach…a must-read for firms large and small. Ernst and Haar have penned a thought-provoking, practical opus that takes ‘shared value’ to the next level.”
―Alvaro Fernandez Garza, CEO, Alfa SAB de CV
"The concept of M2W involves rethinking the business corporation. Ernst and Haar offer an illuminating analysis of how to build the foundation of socially-conscious enterprises following the principles of stakeholder involvement, fairness, and sustainability. It will open your eyes to a new conception of what the firm can do for society."\n―Mauro F. Guillén, Dean, Cambridge Judge Business School “An inspiring read about the role of businesses, governments, academe, and NGOs in the creation of an ecosystem where everyone is accountable and everyone wins. Ernst and Haar enhance the concept of shared value to a Me to We approach for real, private sector-led social change.”\n―Catalina Garcia, Global Director of Corporate Affairs, AB InBev\nShared value is a management strategy in which companies find business opportunities in social problems. While philanthropy and CSR focus efforts focus on “giving back” or minimizing the harm business has on society, shared value focuses company leaders on maximizing the competitive value of solving social problems in new customers and markets, cost savings, talent retention, and more.
This book takes the concept of shared value to the next level, with the concept of “Me to We” (also abbreviated as “M2W”) and discusses the current state of the business-environment-government relationship and shows how the shared value model can contribute to each entity. Citing real cases and examples from multiple industries, the authors show that shared value promotes shareholder interests while serving as a successful business strategy. Chapters explore the emerging phenomenon of shared value, the shareholder-stakeholder comparisons, the role of government in the stakeholder environment, shared value as it related to competitiveness, and operational issues such as implementation, communication, and leadership in their relationship to shared value.
Readers will find useful strategies of Me to We and its implementation by firms that have become leaders in their market. They will receive ideas and insights into business strategies that will overshadow CSR activities as a differentiation or brand development strategy of the past.
Featuring interviews with corporate executives offering their perspectives on shared value, this book will discuss shared value within the context of business and society, competitiveness, and globalization.\nFrom the Back Cover\nShared value is a management strategy in which companies find business opportunities in social problems. While philanthropy and CSR focus efforts focus on “giving back” or minimizing the harm business has on society, shared value focuses company leaders on maximizing the competitive value of solving social problems in new customers and markets, cost savings, talent retention, and more.
This book takes the concept of shared value to the next level, with the concept of “Me to We” (also abbreviated as “M2W”) and discusses the current state of the business-environment-government relationship and shows how the shared value model can contribute to each entity. Citing real cases and examples from multiple industries, the authors show that shared value promotes shareholder interests while serving as a successful business strategy. Chapters explore the emerging phenomenon of shared value, the shareholder-stakeholder comparisons, the role of government in the stakeholder environment, shared value as it related to competitiveness, and operational issues such as implementation, communication, and leadership in their relationship to shared value.
Readers will find useful strategies of Me to We and its implementation by firms that have become leaders in their market. They will receive