Mars has been awarded Best Private Company in Ethical Corporation’s Responsible Business Awards.
But before I blog on that I must prove I am a modern man by making a declaration of interest.
- I assure Mars’ Principles in Action Summary
- I am an occasional consumer of Galaxy bars. (OK, I admit it, regular over-consumer of Galaxy bars).
I’m glad I got that out of the way.
Among the award criteria are: “commitment to embedding sustainable business across their operations…and a clear demonstration of top level leadership from the board and owners of the business.” Well Mars has done that, but not in a way that is easy for others to replicate. The embedding has been built on a prioritising of the Mars Five Principles, science-based thinking, mutuality of benefit and a long-term view of the business. It has been facilitated by continuing, active family-ownership.
It seems to work.
Mars is still in business.
It has won the award.
Clearly establishing values is easier in a privately-owned firm with continuity of ownership, perhaps plcs should not take the Mars experience into account.
Maybe.
But I can’t get rid of a nagging doubt. Would other companies benefit from putting a bit more emphasis on long-term values and a little less energy into short-term plans? I wonder. I genuinely wonder.