The News Review:
- Even During Financial Crisis Investing in Wellness is Good Business
- Global Financial Crisis Takes Center Stage at Socially Responsible …
- Swedish company investing $460M in Mobile
Even During Financial Crisis Investing in Wellness is Good Business
MarketWatch
In fact, now is
exactly the time to begin to realize the financial and other benefits of a
sustainable workplace wellness program. ”
During a recent presentation at the 2008 Texas Workers’ Comp Forum in
Dallas, Seifert pointed out that interest in employee wellness is greater than
ever and this reflects the fact that employee health care costs are now
understood to be a clear risk to growth, profitability and competitiveness. “It’s not as black and white as expense or investment. Employee wellness is no
longer an option and while organizations are looking to reduce spending, they
also know they need to invest in human capital. Where workplace wellness
programs are concerned, what starts out as a moderate up-front expense quickly
becomes an investment with a demonstrable ROI. ”
Seifert adds that research shows 34 percent of the workforce is obese and
that obesity is associated with a 36 percent increase in spending on health
care services — more than smoking or problem drinking. “Lifestyle choices
contribute to chronic illness — and ultimately higher health insurance
costs,” says Seifert.
Global Financial Crisis Takes Center Stage at Socially Responsible …
MarketWatch
A record 720 participants are expected to converge on The Fairmont
Chateau Whistler, in Whistler, British Columbia. Several of the
scheduled conference sessions will feature experts discussing how
socially conscious investors can help to reshape the future of the
global financial system around the principles of transparency,
fairness, good governance, and long-term thinking, including:
– A CEO Roundtable on Industry Trends;
– A Banking Sector panel focused on Sustainable Global Finance;
– A session on Philanthropy and Mission-Related Investing;
– An expert panel on the Sub-Prime Mortgage Situation;
– A roundtable discussion with International SRI Industry Leaders;
– A discussion about how wise management of environmental, social, and
governance (ESG) issues can reduce risk and position companies to excel
over the long term; and
– A Special Session that will focus specifically on the global financial
crisis. “This is a unique opportunity for SRI leaders to strategize on
integrating the principles of socially and environmentally responsible
investing — such as responsible corporate governance — into the
nation’s financial infrastructure moving forward,” said Lisa Woll,
Chief Executive Officer of the Social Investment Forum (SIF). SRI in the Rockies, a collaboration between First Affirmative
Financial Network and the Social Investment Forum, is the premier
annual conference for the sustainable and responsible investment
(SRI) industry in North America. “The financial crisis has put a spotlight on some of the worst
practices on Wall Street, many of which socially conscious investors
have worked to remedy over the years,” said George R. Gay, CEO of
First Affirmative Financial Network and a Director of the Social
Investment Forum. “We believe that a more socially responsible
approach to investing can — and should — play a role in helping to
transform the investing world.
Related: Career Watch: What the financial crisis could mean for IT pros
Swedish company investing $460M in Mobile
Bizjournals.com, NC
us Digg This Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB plans to invest $460 million to expand its Mobile facility, increasing its capacity four times and adding 180 new jobs. The company said it will build a state-of-the-art heat treating facility at its Mobile plant and increase that facilities quenched and tempered steel capacity from 100,000 tons to 400,000 tons, said a news release. SSAB announced in April its intention to increase its capacity in the United States and chose Mobile after an extensive review. “This reaffirms SSAB’s focus on our value added quenched and tempered steel and our commitment to meet customers’ growing demand for such products,” said Olof Faxander, CEO of SSAB. “SSAB will further develop its strong production base in the United States, both in Mobile and Montpelier (Iowa), and we will continue to strengthen our strategy to be the global leader in high strength steel.