Business and Society Program

Corporate Values Strategy Group

The Aspen Corporate Values Strategy Group (CVSG) is focused on promoting changes in corporate and investment practice, as well as in public policy, to support long-term orientation in business decision making and investing. Short-term pressures in today's capital markets restrict the ability of business to do what it does best—create quality goods and services, invest in innovation, and develop human capital. Rebalancing the short-term/long-term focus of business will make it possible to bring a wider view to the role of business, one that encompasses both fiscal and societal well-being.

Program strategies include:

Convenings and dialogues. Bringing together senior business leaders, investors, corporate governance experts, labor leaders, and academics to discuss strategies for promoting change in business practice, investment practice and policy in support of long-term competitiveness.

Drafting of and outreach related to the Aspen Principles. The Principles are explicitly written as aspirational guidelines for good business practice. In subscribing, and moving over time to implement these outcome-oriented principles in their own organizations, operating companies and investors are leading by example and taking a stand that a long-term focus is critical to long-term value creation.

CVSG in 2009
A Brief History of the CVSG
CVSG Supporters
Master Participant List (2003-present)

On May 12, Indra Nooyi, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, cited Executive Director Judith Samuelson and the work of the CVSG in her speech to the Economic Club of Washington. Please click here for the video and a PDF of the transcript.

Recent & Upcoming CVSG Events

Beyond the Crisis: Foundations of a New Regulatory Regime (June 2009, Boston): On June 10 at Faneuil Hall, Executive Director Judith Samuelson moderated a panel on the contours for regulating future capital markets and directing capital investment to protect and enhance the public interest. The session was part of a two-day Summit on the Future of the Corporation: Restoring the Primacy of the Real Economy, hosted by Corporation 20:20.

Communicating with Strength and Purpose in Times of Uncertainty (December 2008, New York City): On Dec. 15 at the NYSE, Aspen and Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics held an off-the-record meeting of senior financial executives and financial analysts. The session was rooted in the Aspen Principles, which encourage corporate-investor communications to focus on the long-term. John Olson of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP and Lara Warner of Credit Suisse were instrumental in making the event happen.

Sustainability: Leadership Required (November 2008, New York City): The Business for Social Responsibility conference presented leading innovators in responsible business and explored sustainability challenges with an international audience of 1300. Business & Society Senior Fellow Rebecca Darr moderated "Long-Term Value Creation vs. Quarterly Earnings." This breakout session addressed how leading companies & investors are de-emphasizing short-term financial metrics. Panelists Peter Knight, co-founder of Generation Investment Management, Lara Warner of Credit Suisse, and Gene Capello of Pfizer highlighted a silver lining in the current market chaos: companies that can articulate compelling, long-term value opportunities.

Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Leadership Series (October 2008): This Thought Center webcast, "Blueprint for Growth: Building a World Class Board," is the fourth in a series designed to provide viewers with the latest information from the front lines. Deborah Norville (host of TV's "Inside Edition") moderated a conversation between Judith Samuelson (Executive Director, Business & Society) and four other panelists as they discussed what it takes to identify and attract the best board members to help businesses succeed --and remain-- in an uncertain global economy.

Council of Institutional Investors: Thinking Long Term (October 2008, Chicago): Business & Society Executive Director Judith Samuelson moderated a panel, "Exploring Change for Long-Term Value Creation," at this three-day biannual event, hosted by the Council of Institutional Investors.

CVSG Resources for Further Information:

• Read the Compelling Case for Change, a document prepared by the Business and Society Program to address short-termism in U.S. capital markets.
• Read Frequently Asked Questions for Corporate CEOs, a basic overview of the Principles and a guide to some of the questions that other CEOs have asked prior to making a formal endorsement.
• Read the latest In Focus or access an archived edition of our periodic e-reports on practices that support long-term value creation.
• Harvard Business School Professor William George and Henry Schacht, Managing Director and Senior Advisor of Warburg Pincus LLC New York, comment on a January Dow-Jones op-ed why 2008 is "a time for action," for executives, investors and policy makers to shed short-term thinking and adopt long-term value creation for the multiple stakeholders of a firm.
• Read what people have been saying about the CVSG on our Press Page, or where we've shared our thoughts on the Publications Page.

To become a member of the CVSG, please contact Rebecca.Darr@aspeninstitute.org.

Archived Events