Business Submission - Assignment Example

Business Introduction As Google, we are one of the largest advertising and search company globally. We manage a vast number of websites and other related online content. Presently, we are the most used search engines by users globally, holding about 65% of the entire market share. Since our establishment in 1988, our main focus has been to give the best to our consumers at a cost which they can easily afford.1 Our main source of revenue for the years has been from advertisements. However, we are currently looking for ways in which to diverse our initiatives by exploring core competencies. This includes our partnerships and acquisitions of other companies a strategy which we believe is likely to help us to foster our expansion beyond internet search services. We have taken great deliberation in liaising with the United Nations Global Compact as we would like to see further improvement in how our company benefits society and the economy. We strongly believe in the ten principles stated by the Global Compact, and we uphold these by valuing a multicultural and sustainable working environment, which strays from the violation of human rights and the destruction of the earth’s resources. In 2013, we won the “Brand of the Year” under the software and website category further showing our technological leadership in this industry. Our general culture as a company is to always act ethically, put the users first and always be ten times better in the industry in accordance to out ten core principles.2 As an impending member of the United Nations Global Compact, we currently have initiatives that endorse principles one and eight, which work towards ensuring that our business does not disregard in any way internationally declared human rights and ensure environmentally sustainable practices. Principle 1 Practices At Google, we realize that employees have to put in countless working hours and hence have come up with ways in which to ensure that they are comfortable while at work. This includes a day care, an on-site gymnasium and laundry service which are available for all employees to use at any time at their disposal. Employees are provided with services which aim to ensure that they see the workplace as their second home. Our main aim is to make our culture fun, in relation to our principle “you can be creative without a suit”.3 In compliance with principle 1, our organization has several initiatives in place such as a response process to deal with any employee who may have any grievances pertaining to the violation of their human rights. In addition, we view employees as important assets and hence free communication is fully supported by the management giving the employees an opportunity to air any views that they may have.4 Principle 8 Practices Ever since our invention, we have been operating under the notion of prevailing in concert with the environment rather than be at odds with it. As compared to other data centres globally, our data centres save up to 50% on energy which is a rather big achievement given how very few companies consider this. We encourage employees to take part in environmental responsiveness via implementing practices that target waste reduction, recycling, and reusing. For instance, we host farmers’ markets and sustainable cooking seminars as a way of setting an example to the employees on “going green”. Currently our facilities are powered by renewable energy.5 Furthermore, we have taken the initiative to invest in renewable energy projects that help us take part in minimizing the impact of carbon dioxide to the rest of the world. Given that we are highly involved in practises that comply with principles 1 and 8 of the Un Global Compact principles, we believe that are capable of endorsing recommendations that will guide other businesses in compliance with these Global Compact Principles. Review of COP Report The company’s statement of policy clearly stipulates the human rights expectations of the personnel, business partners and any other individuals that the organization may be in contact with. Furthermore, the statement of policy is publicly available for the internal as well as external members of the organization in order to ensure that all people wholly comprehend what is anticipated of them and that they follow the policies stipulated in their operations. Furthermore, the human rights are based on an international level to ensure that no individual is left out given that Google has offices in several countries globally.6 The ways in which any grievances are likely to be handles is clearly explained and this ensures that no disputes go unresolved in the organization. Looking on the environmental sustainability principle, it is evident from the COP that Google seeks to certify that it does no environment damage by ensuring environmentally friendly management practices. There are policies to make certain that anyone can easily contact Google on any environmental impact they may likely bring about and that all grievances pertaining to matters of the environment are well handled.7 Furthermore, there is a process put in place by the management to deal with any incidents the organization is likely to experience. Recommendations 1. Promote the rule of law within the organization and ensure that all employees fully understand what it means to violate human rights and the likely consequences. This is bound to help create an environment in which all employees respect each other, and bring about a culture of respect among all staff in the organization. There will likely be fewer suits against the organization for violation of international human rights and also ensures that the company gets to maintain a good reputation in the community. Effectively deal with any human rights infringement that may take place within the organization to set the standards which the employees have to adhere to.8 2. Establish organizational practices among all the stakeholders in the organization that ensures everyone takes some form of responsibility in ensuring no harm is done to the environment. This will aid in dipping the costs of production as the company is able to reuse some of its products. In addition, given that more and more people are going green globally, they are likely to become attracted to the organization given that it is environmentally friendly. By using safe energy and recycling, there will be less wastage in the environment hence ensuring environment sustainability.9 Challenges The main challenge a company is likely to face when implementing these principles are the costs involved in implementing sustainable practices. However, it is important to view the long term perspective on the likely benefits the company will most likely enjoy as a result of following these principles in the organization. In addition, it is human nature to be resistant to change, so this is to be expected among the employees and the company stakeholders. In addition, given that with diversity it is expected to have a number of people with varying perspectives working together, disputes are to be expected from time to time hence the need for the training in the organization10. It is important to clarify to them the implications of the change and reassure them in order to ensure that everybody is on board and the whole organization is working towards the same goal. Benefits 1. With diversity, the company gets to have a pool of innovative personnel at their disposal hence likely to give them competitive edge over other companies in the industry. 2. Overall improvement in the company’s reputation, which is highly important. 3. Lowered costs incurred by the management in the hiring of new staff since employees will likely be comfortable with the working conditions in the organization hence cutting hiring costs. 4. Good relationship among employees in the organization ensures a good business environment and hence this will likely reflect on the improved productivity of the organization given that employees work together towards achieving company goals. Risks /Implications for Key Stakeholders 1. Better working environments for the employee’s hence overall improvement in the productivity of the organization. 2. It is possible that following the recommendations may likely give the company competitive advantage over their competitors as more people will likely be inclined to use Google’s services. 3. Overall improvement of the company’s reputation by improving the relation between the company and the community and hence people in the community will no longer view the company as a threat to their environment. If all corporations were to abide by the UN Global Compact principles, then it is safe to anticipate that the business world will most likely have a rather bright future filled with so much opportunity to bank on. References Addicott, Jeffrey F., Jahid Hossain Bhuiyan, and Tareq M. R. Chowdhury. 2012. Globalization, international law, and human rights. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Akhtarkhavari, Afshin. 2011. Global Governance of the Environment Environmental Principles and Change in International Law and Politics. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Pub. Epstein, Marc J. 2008. Making sustainability work best practices in managing and measuring corporate social, environmental and economic impacts. Sheffield, UK: Greenleaf Pub. Google Company, 2014. Our Culture as Google. Web. Retrieved From: http://www.google.com/about/company/facts/culture Howard-Grenville, Jennifer A. 2007. Corporate culture and environmental practice making change at a high-technology manufacturer. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. Leong, Kathy C. "Google Reveals Its 9 Principles of Innovation." Fast Company. N.p., 30 Nov. 2013. Web. Retrieved From: www.fastcompany.com/3021956/how-to-be-a-success-at- everything/googles-nine-principles-of-innovation Levy, Steven. 2011. In the plex: how Google thinks, works, and shapes our lives. New York: Simon & Schuster. Rasche, Andreas, and Georg Kell. 2010. The United Nations global compact: achievements, trends and challenges. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Schmidt, Eric, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle. 2014. Google: how Google works. United Nations Global Compact. 2014. The Ten Principles. Foundation for the Global Compact. Retrieved From: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/AboutTheGC/TheTenPrinciples/index.html Read More