The Judging panel for the 2022 Business As A Force For Good Awards brings together the expertise of INSEAD alumni from across various industries. Li Lian Liew GEMBA’13 – Director, Corporate Planning at Tan Tock Seng Hospital & Central Health, shares her thoughts on the topic in our first ‘Meet The Judges’ interview series.
Key takeaways after graduating from INSEAD in relation to having a positive social impact on the community? The realisation that INSEAD alumni are in positions of power and that we have the resources (force) to do better. And….sadly, not everyone wants to.
What do you believe are the critical elements for a business to act as a force for good? Trustworthiness in upholding the “social contract” and continuous open-minded efforts.
What actions from companies have you seen which has been a Force For Good? As a Singaporean it’s great to see many local businesses doing well such as Magorium, which developed NewBitumen – derived from plastic waste – to replace traditional (crude-derived) bitumen used for road construction. Companies that aren’t social enterprises like Grab and Carousell, have also found meaningful ways to do good.
What are some specific actions employees should do to enable a positive social impact on our community ? Social media definitely! The internet allows us to share company experiences as employees, consumers and a community that can influence economic forces. It’s a force for checks and balances that we’ve never had before, and it’s still not optimised.
What are some examples in your profession/ company where you’ve experienced BAFG first-hand? In Singapore there are many community-care organizations that provide healthcare, social support and financial respite for the underserved. These aren’t necessarily social enterprises or charitable organizations. For example, the NTUC (National Trades Union Congress) provides healthcare, insurance, cheap(er) groceries, etc while also dealing with issues of gender equality (especially in the workplace), disadvantaged youths ect.
What key BAFG principles would you like businesses in Singapore to embrace? (1) Understand that actions have consequences, therefore plan accordingly. (2) Understand that Gen Z will not tolerate irresponsible short-termism. (3) Understand that we as a species are in real danger of extinction.
What were the main reasons for accepting an invitation to be an IAA Singapore BAFG judge? It takes all of us, with many actions big and small, to become a collective force for good. This is one of them: a chance to raise awareness and the profiles of what INSEAD alumni are doing, and to promote open sharing to shortcut development to becoming better.
Parting comment: Businesses need to bear in mind that the more of a force for good they become, the more evolved, resilient and profitable they become. It is good for everyone.