Changing Business from the Inside Out: A Tree-Hugger's Guide to Working in Corporations

by Tim Mohin

The BP oil spill, the 2008 global financial collapse, and revelations of scandalous working conditions at Chinese electronics supplier Foxconn show why so many are suspicious of promises of corporate responsibility. But slowly and fitfully, corporations are changing. It’s not just because of the high cost of making amends and a fear of negative publicity. Consumers are demanding better corporate behavior, and an increasing number of executives are eager to make their organizations more of a force for good. But corporations can’t act in responsible ways if no “treehuggers” are working inside the system to lead the effort.

For more than two decades, Timothy J. Mohin has worked to improve working conditions, clean up factories, and battle climate change—all while being employed by some of the biggest companies in the world. In Changing Business from the Inside Out he’s written the first practical, authoritative insider’s guide to creating a career in corporate responsibility. Mohin describes how to get started and what the day-to-day experience of being “the designated driver at the corporate cocktail party” is really like. He recounts colorful case studies from his own career, provides advice on how CSR workers can have greater impact, and even looks into how employees in other corporate functions can make a difference. He details the programs and processes needed to support a comprehensive CSR effort, but perhaps most importantly, he identifies the personal and professional skills needed to navigate corporate politics and get buy-in from sometimes skeptical colleagues.

With more than 80 percent of the Fortune 500 now publishing “sustainability reports,” a new career path has been forged in corporate responsibility. From strategy to data mining to supply chains and communication, this book is the “operator’s manual” for this new career path.

Genres: Sustainability, Business, Nonfiction

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 2, 2012

Reviews

[Oana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for someone who wants to develop a career in the sustainability field. I highly recommend it.

[Alice Korngold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Mohin provides a beautifully written guide for anyone who is interested in a career in corporate responsibility or anyone who works in business who seeks to help their company to advance its social and environmental agendas. Tim draws on his vast experience in corporate leadership positions with AMD, Apple, and Intel; as a sustainability consultant to Fortune 500 companies; and as the Chairman of an NGO industry coalition that addresses social and environmental challenges. In the clearest of terms, this book tells you just what you need to know to help companies achieve results. It is essential reading.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a grad class I did in Corporate Social Responsibility. I think my primary issue with the book is that I don't share Mohin's outlook on corporations as a source of good under our current capitalist system. There's a lot of optimism in this book that I just don't share. That said, there is a lot of room for improvement in the way that we do business, in improving impacts on the environment and on human lives in complex, global supply chains. Mohin's book lays out a clear, applicable step-by-step guide to developing a corporate social responsibility program for the ground up, with tips on evaluating and strengthening existing programs. I really appreciate its approachable, practical tone.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of practical tips and insights for anyone wanting to break into the corporate responsibility profession. Very digestible with some occasional dry humor. Despite the book being about 12 years old, most of the references are still very relevant - just evolved. I will continue to keep this on my shelf for future guidance as I continue in my CR role.