The triple bottom line, wherein corporations take into consideration people, planet and profits, is a key business concept in the modern world. Students at the School of Business at Amritapuri and Coimbatore learned more about this when they had the opportunity recently to interact with Mr. John. C. Scade, Managing Director of the MAS Group.
The MAS Group based in Spain, is more commonly known as Grupo MAS. It is comprised of companies that offer consultancy services in environmental, industrial planning, CO2 and the Kyoto agreement, energy efficiency, corporate social responsibility and strategic management.
As the group’s Managing Director, Mr. Scade has worked with corporations on four continents, and he brought perspectives from these engagements to the Amrita students.
“The responsibility of a company is not just limited to satisfying its stakeholders,” he told the students. “A company should assume responsibility for social and environmental aspects also.”
Mr. Scade elaborated on various problems faced by the global economy, including over population and shortage of basic necessities like water and food. He pointed out that millions of people in the world live on just $1 a day.
“I have experienced the imbalances in the third world,” he stated.
Mr. Scade has helped many corporations in Europe prepare sustainability reports; he also elaborated on these reports that are fast becoming the norm, detailing the standards adopted in the different countries.
“The emphasis in Mr. Scade’s talks was the fundamentals of sustainable development and its relationship to current practices,” stated Dr. V. S. Somnath, Chairperson of the MBA program, Amritapuri campus.
Mr. Scade’s talks also centered upon entrepreneurship, an important subject for many business students.
Describing himself as an entrepreneur with demonstrated leadership skills in strategic planning, change management and problem solving, he spoke on the Art of Entrepreneurship at both campuses. He discussed various challenges one could expect when starting new ventures.
“The qualities that an entrepreneur should possess include the willingness to take risks, bringing in innovative business practices, commitment towards one’s goal and faith in one’s project or venture,” he told the students.
The importance of making a business plan was emphasized. “Making a business plan is the first step towards reaching a particular goal,” he stated.
“The sessions were truly enjoyable,” shared Mridula Gopinath, final year MBA student, Coimbatore campus. “Mr. Scade discussed important concepts in a simple and lucid fashion, such that anyone could understand. We all greatly benefitted from his sessions.”
September 24, 2010
School of Business, Amritapuri & Coimbatore
