Archive

Authenticity

  • Top three comms tips for emerging climate fintechs

    September 27, 2023

    You’d be forgiven for feeling as though the climate conversation has taken a disappointing turn lately, with UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak’s, recent apparent U-turn on commitments. However, there are still important strides being made in the fight for a sustainable future. In the world I operate most – fintech – I’ve been closely watching the emergence of climate fintechs: businesses offering some form of climate-based risk or accounting software, like carbon offsetting, ESG reporting...

  • Savings rates are the latest reputational battleground for banks as the FCA flexes its Consumer Duty muscle

    July 25, 2023

      A reputational battle has been playing out with banks and building societies under fire in the media and from policy makers, about whether they have been increasing mortgage rates faster than savings rates as the Bank of England’s base rate has risen. The FCA’s intervention on this pricing issue shows how the Consumer Duty extends its reach into new areas and poses a new challenge for communications teams. At the end of this month...

  • Sustainability, Communications & Climate Confusion

    July 20, 2023

    This month, FH London's climate and sustainability unit reveal whether today's shopper is still prioritising sustainability as part of their purchasing decisions and what they want to hear from brands and businesses when it comes to sustainability claims on pack. Despite today’s tough economic climate, encouragingly over half (55%) still feel that sustainability is important with 51% prepared to pay more for products with an environmental benefit. Consumers are also clear about where they want...

  • Gen Z and Body Image: Four Things All Brands Should Consider

    May 10, 2023

    We live in a hyper visual world. Fuelled by the likes of Instagram and TikTok, it’s hard to escape the constant stream of messaging that in one moment tells us to embrace our curves, celebrate cellulite, and show off our acne scars, and in the next moment makes us feel ashamed that we don’t look like supermodels in athleisure wear.   The tension between realism and idealism when it comes the depiction of healthy bodies online...

  • ESG doublespeak: Back to basics and corporate culture

    November 23, 2022

    In post 3. “The authenticity gap”, we honed in on how the 'feel-good' acronym ESG is marketed, why, and some of the unintended consequences. We now take ESG back to basics, with the connection between externalities and reputation, and the role played by corporate culture. Blinded by a thicket of ESG metrics, targets and ratings, managers can miss the point of why they measure in the first place: i.e., to ensure that their business endures...

  • Re-evaluating Employee Value Proposition for the new era of work

    November 18, 2022

    It’s time to let go of the idea of “employer brand.” You have only one brand — it’s what the world, employees, and prospective talent all see and interact with — and amid the tightest global labour market in decades, it must be thoughtfully established and maintained to attract all audiences. Instead, organizations should focus on defining their Employee Value Proposition (EVP) as the way to differentiate their unique talent offering, boost performance and engagement...

  • ESG doublespeak: The authenticity gap

    November 16, 2022

    My last post, 'Knowing the score', highlighted how companies might assess CSR-bang for ESG-buck and how third-party ratings can play a role in the trouble with ESG. We’ll now hone in on how the 'feel-good' acronym is marketed, why, and the unintended consequences. Register to join us on Wednesday 30th November from 2-3 PM (GMT) to explore the role of communications in disentangling ESG at a time when sustainability has never been higher on the...

  • ESG doublespeak: Knowing the score with ESG ratings

    November 10, 2022

    In post “1. The uncomfortable truth”, we highlighted how ESG ratings don’t measure a company’s impact on the Earth and society. Let’s now look at how companies might assess CSR-bang for ESG-buck and how third-party ratings can play a role in the trouble with ESG. It had all started so well. In 2004, the Secretary-General of the United Nations wrote to over 50 CEOs of major financial institutions. He invited them to participate in a...

  • ESG doublespeak: The uncomfortable truth about ESG investing

    November 2, 2022

    The audience was stunned. During his presentation at an FT Moral Money event on 19 May 2022, Stuart Kirk, the head of responsible investments at HSBC Asset Management, was adamant: “Climate change is not a financial risk that we need to worry about.” Was he breaking rank or shining a light on general insincerity? Despite its surge in popularity, many suspect that ESG investing will not address our generation’s urgent challenges. Consider the battle against...

  • Introducing Generation Divided – Why we need to listen to them to bridge cultural gaps

    October 13, 2022

    What can we learn from the culture gap, and how could it help brands authentically communicate to their ever-broadening range of customers, audiences & communities? It’s strange to think this winter feels bleaker than the two preceding it – after two COVID-restricted Christmases, we should be looking forward to a sense of normality, and perhaps finally making the most of the hybrid world we now live in. Instead, what’s facing us is a crisis affecting...

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