Boards, CEOs, and CFOs need to dramatically raise the bar, demanding better risk and internal audit processes and better metrics to measure the real value-add from internal audit and risk spending. A new approach to assurance, “Strategy and Value Oversight” and specific end result metrics are proposed, metrics capable of helping companies create and preserve long-term value and meet escalating expectations of powerful institutional investors, regulators, and others.

As the Society for New Communications Research of The Conference Board (SNCR) prepares for its annual dinner and gala celebrating the 2018 Excellence in New Communications Awards, we’re happy to share this year’s winning case studies in a special edition of "SNCR 2020: Exploring New Communications Tools and Technologies."

Earlier this year, The Conference Board and Mission Measurement announced a new partnership to benchmark social outcomes data. Using Mission Measurement’s Impact Genome Project® (IGP), the two organizations will collect and analyze data on the social outcomes of corporations’ charitable contributions. Companies are now invited to participate in the IGP and to share their impact measurement data.

Our March 2018 Consumer Confidence Survey shows evidence that e-commerce continues to grow among U.S. consumers of most age and income groups.

The Society of Actuaries (SOA) recently completed the study The Post-Retirement Experiences of Individuals 85+ Years Old. The research includes in-depth interviews and two surveys, a telephone survey of individuals age 85+ and an on-line survey of adult children who are familiar with their parents’ finances and planning.

“Culture” is the word of the moment: societal culture, organizational culture, corporate culture. The media blames culture—and rightfully so—when things at an organization go bad, referencing it as the reason for why people break the rules, disrespect others and go against societal values. But culture is also a good thing that leads to innovation, accomplishment and integrity. Managing culture is the responsibility of everyone in an organization and the board should set the tone.

Influencer marketing in the B2B world is a viable strategy, and there are real influencers out there who can help you achieve real marketing and business results. But they are not all created equal. Pick the wrong type of influencer and you won’t get the return you’re after.

(This is the second part of a two-part series on the philosophy of filling boards with competent directors, making them more effective, and rebuilding them when necessary.) There are three facets of vision capability: Focus: Does a candidate or sitting director tend toward hindsight, insight or foresight? Range: Is a director able to contribute in each of the three areas? Proficiency: Where does a director demonstrate mastery [or notable weakness]?