Deloitte’s new solution to accelerate the implementation of corporate responsibility and sustainability

The Deloitte Business Simulation Game to be showcased at the biennial Global Reporting Initiative Conference

New York - The Deloitte Business Simulation Game is designed to accelerate the implementation of corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives via stakeholder engagement and development of leadership capabilities. The game will be showcased in a boardroom session at the 2010 Amsterdam Global Conference on Sustainability and Transparency, taking place under the auspices of the Global Reporting Initiative on 26-28 May in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The game will also be featured as part of Deloitte 20/20.

“As sustainability reporting increasingly becomes part of business operations and integrates with annual reporting, conducting business sustainably will no longer be a luxury for the motivated few—it will be the normal course of business for any company expecting to compete effectively,” said Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Global Sustainability & Climate Change Leader Nick Main. “The Deloitte Business Simulation Game offers companies an effective change management tool to help with the transformation they need to go through to realize the full benefits of sustainability initiatives.”

Commenting on The Deloitte Business Simulation Game, Ralph Thurm, Director, Sustainability Strategies, Deloitte Netherlands, said, “Most companies focus on the ‘hard’ elements of corporate responsibility implementation, such as strategy, program, and the formal processes and systems. These steps are fundamental but will not yield maximum results unless accompanied by the ‘soft’ elements, such as engaging stakeholders or developing organizational capabilities by equipping senior executives, managers, and employees with the knowledge and skills, as well as with the broader mindset, to be a truly sustainable company. The Deloitte Business Simulation Game enables participants to learn how to balance the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of people, planet, and profit within the context of a business enterprise.”

The game enables companies to experiment with a realistic model of their company and its immediate external environment to evaluate the potential future scenarios for their sustainability efforts in a safe game setting. During The Deloitte Business Simulation Game the players go through several business cycles, experiencing critical moments and interdependencies. Most importantly, they are confronted with the consequences of their decisions. Decisions occur simultaneously and interactively, just as in the daily business world. Participants get to reconcile dilemmas and respond to short-term priorities while ensuring positive impact on long-term sustainability.

The hands-on learning approach helps to sharpen management skills through practice, feedback from teammates, and coaching from experienced facilitators. The feedback, as well as the frequent discussions and debates that arise during the game, provides an exceptional collaborative learning process.
About Deloitte’s relationship with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI):

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) has been involved with the GRI since its inception and is an Organizational Stakeholder in this worldwide effort. Several Deloitte member firms have jointly offered sustainability training in conjunction with GRI trainers, and Deloitte member firm teams have performed a number of engagements globally assisting organizations with GRI-based reporting.

DTT and Deloitte member firm representatives from across the world will convene in Amsterdam on 26-28 May to participate in public and private sessions at the biennial event, which will explore the impact of regulatory changes on sustainability reporting as well as the latest developments on integrated reporting.
About Deloitte 20/20

The Deloitte 20/20 series identifies critical business issues and captures “Insights that prepare you for tomorrow,” with high-value perspectives vital to the success of your business.
About Deloitte

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and its member firms.

Deloitte provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. With a globally connected network of member firms in more than140 countries, Deloitte brings world-class capabilities and deep local expertise to help clients succeed wherever they operate. Deloitte’s approximately 169,000 professionals are committed to becoming the standard of excellence.