Creating Shared Value Blog

The night before a major meeting with our client’s executive team in Santiago, Chile a few weeks ago, I was scarfing down dinner at a pizza joint while discussing with my team the shared value strategy we were recommending for our client. About halfway through dinner, a woman at the table next to us leaned over and said, “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but overhear you mentioning shared value. Do you mean the Porter and Kramer concept?”

There is a natural link between shared value and environmental issues: use less and create money. Reducing energy, materials, or natural resources used in producing a product protects natural resources. Creating environmentally friendly products that conserve or protect natural resources can attract new customers and revenues. Case studies of successful corporate initiatives along these lines abound: Wal-mart’s optimization of its transportation network, GE’s Ecomagination solutions, and Toyota’s introduction of the Prius are just a few of many examples.