CEBC IN THE NEWS

Press Release

Corporate Citizenship Book Profiles The Minnesota Story

For Immediate Release
September 27, 2000

Contact: 

David Rodbourne
Vice President
(651) 962-4120

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Center for Ethical Business Cultures (CEBC), formerly the Minnesota Center for Corporate Responsibility, has published a new book profiling the story of corporate citizenship in Minnesota titled Culture of Corporate Citizenship: Minnesota’s Legacy for the Global Future.

The book, written by Minnesota author Wilfred "Bill" Bockelman, tells the story of Minnesota business leaders whose commitment to community well-being was at least equal to their commitment to a profitable business bottom line.

"Sometimes we weary of reminders of Minnesota’s reputation," said CEBC President and CEO Ron James, "but the fact remains that leaders from cities across the U.S. and delegations from Europe, Asia and the Americas praise Minnesota and ask – how did you do it? And we ask ourselves – can we keep it up?"

Harlan Cleveland, former dean of the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, wrote of the book: "Everyone who encounters Minnesota’s business climate learns that constructive social partnerships and bottom-line profit making both come naturally to Minnesota-based corporations. This book explains how that ethical fusion got started, and why the spirit endures." Cleveland is not the only fan.

Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Chairman & CEO of Carlson Companies, said the "book captures the spirit and legacy of the men, women, and companies that valued community as much as corporate success." Dr. Reatha Clarke King, President and Executive Director of the General Mills Foundation and Vice President of General Mills, called the book "timely, informative, stimulating and inspiring."

James Shannon, one of the most respected deans of Minnesota philanthropy, lauded Bockelman for writing a "masterful" book, one that "identifies the best ethical and moral practices in specific companies in Minnesota, but stops short of that preachy chauvinism which many of us slip into when describing the underlying values we prize in our home state."

Kenneth Goodpaster, holder of the Koch Endowed Chair in Business Ethics at the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business, said of the book "This is a history with a future! A remarkable history of Minnesota business leadership in the moral arena."

James, named CEBC President and CEO in July, said the book "illuminates an asset that we often take for granted. Bockelman has helped remind us of what we have achieved, the effort it required, and of the special character of many of our leaders and corporations. But clearly we ought not assume the legacy will continue.

"Globalization and the constant stream of mergers and acquisitions that we have witnessed over the last decade have changed our corporate landscape and leadership. While many leaders are as committed today as those in years past, wisdom compels us to work hard at inventing new models and new forms of business-community leadership. This Center is dedicated to assisting business leaders in creating ethical and profitable business cultures, at the enterprise, community and global levels," James said.

When asked to reflect on his book, author Bockelman said much of the credit goes to the many business people who shared their stories and who constantly pointed him in the direction of others. Bockelman said he knew he was on to something when Harlan Cleveland said "I don’t think I have ever read an ‘authorized autobiography’ of an organization and social process delivered with such delightful informality, in such accessible language."

Culture of Corporate Citizenship was the brainchild of former CEBC (then MCCR) president Robert MacGregor who felt it was important to capture the vision and experience of many of the business leaders whose practice of corporate citizenship and business ethics put Minnesota on the global map.

Culture of Corporate Citizenship, a 180-page book, is published by Galde Press, Inc., a Minnesota-based publisher headquartered in Lakeville, Minnesota. For book orders, check local bookstores or contact Galde Press at (952) 891-5991.

The Center for Ethical Business Cultures was launched in 1978 by Minnesota CEOs. The center has become a key resource for business leaders in ethics and work/life and operates two formal business networks: The Work« Life Network^SM and the Business Ethics Network^SM. It has produced a wide range of workshops on policy and leadership issues and published more than 130 essays and major speeches featuring CEO perspectives. During the 1990s, the center developed the Minnesota Principles, which have evolved into a set of global business principles known as the Caux Round Table Principles for Business.

The center is affiliated with both the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business and the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. The center’s new name and mission signals a shift in direction and opens the door to national and global programs on ethics, work/life and corporate citizenship.

NOTE TO EDITORS AND REPORTERS:

If you would like a copy of this book to review please call Galde Press at (952) 891-5991.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES FOR REPORTERS:

Ron James
President & CEO
Center for Ethical Business Cultures (CEBC)
Phone: (651) 962-4120

Wilfred Bockelman
Author, Culture of Corporate Citizenship
Phone: (612) 903-9689

James Renier, Ph.D.
Chair, CEBC Board of Directors
Phone: (612) 449-0419

Robert W. MacGregor
President, Indevco Foundation
Beirut, Lebanon
Phone: 011-961-995-3600

Kenneth Goodpaster, Ph.D.
Koch Endowed Chair in Business Ethics at the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business
CEBC Academic Director for the University of St. Thomas
CEBC Director
Phone: (651) 962-4212

Center for Ethical Business Cultures

1000 LaSalle Avenue, TMH 331 ▪ Minneapolis, MN 55403-2005 ▪ USA

Phone: 651 962 4120 or 800 328 6819 Ext. 2-4120 ▪ Facsimile: 651 962 4042

Email: mail@cebcglobal.org

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