*This episode is sponsored by Ethisphere.
Managing Director of Ethisphere, Doug Allen and Erica Salmon Byrne, EVP of Governance and Compliance, join Tom Fox on this week’s episode to talk about the World’s Most Ethical Companies award put on by Ethisphere every year. 
 

 
Origins
Ethisphere was created to advance the standards of ethical practices. Doug says that their three tenets are “to define what’s good in terms of how businesses do business with integrity; …to measure and improve in all facets of integrity and then curating and convening organizations of like cultures and nature…” WMEC is the “purest manifestation of all these key tenets,” he continues, as it was established 16 years ago to “celebrate and recognize organizations that were doing business the right way.” The application process is rigorous, but it helps companies measure and assess their performance as well as give them a roadmap on how to improve. Erica comments that it “pulls the practical out of the theoretical… We spend a lot of our time taking those very broad strokes of guidance that we see from the regulators… and saying ‘What does this look like in practice?’”
 
How WMEC Has Evolved
The main survey applicants have to fill out for WMEC has become more expansive, as it is updated yearly. Doug and Erica tell Tom about some topics that were added as the survey evolved, including questions about supply chain compliance, human rights, culture and stakeholder engagement. Being a WMEC awardee is a powerful tool: companies who keep their purpose and ethos at the forefront outperform their competitors, Erica says. 
 
Applying for WMEC
Applications for WMEC open in early August. Doug describes the timeline for the review process and when they announce the awardees. Tom comments that applying for WMEC is more important than winning. “Just by engaging with the application process itself,” Doug remarks, “you get a very clear and detailed description of where trends are going…” Tom adds that it can also be seen as a gap analysis. Erica agrees and walks through the application and review process. Survey scores, validating documents, and Ethisphere’s independent reputation analysis are all used to determine the ultimate winners, she explains. Tom asks who should apply. Doug responds, “This is a process we developed intentionally to be applicable to organizations around the world of any sector and industry, …of just about any size as well.” Erica re-emphasizes the benefits of applying even if you don’t think you are ready. The feedback you receive from your application, as well as the access to great resources, is worth so much, she points out. 
 
Resources
WorldsMostEthicalCompanies.com 
MWEApplications@ethisphere.com
Application Process
Application Guide
Methodology
Why Apply
2022 Interest Form
 
Erica Salmon Byrne on LinkedIn
Doug Allen on LinkedIn