No compromise on corporate responsibility

A new report outlines Nokia Siemens Networks’ continuing commitment to Corporate Responsibility. It gives the company an opportunity to communicate proactively and transparently its achievements and commitment. Former CEO Simon Beresford-Wylie shared his view on why this matters so much.

“In the end, diversity is important because it will enable us to be a more versatile and innovative company than we are today”
Nokia Siemens Networks must never yield the high ground in its moral business culture, according to former CEO Simon Beresford-Wylie. “Our strong ethical streak must not be compromised by business pressures, even if times are tough,” he says. “In the current difficult economic climate one sometimes feels that there are pressures to bend on issues, but we have clearly said to our employees, no, no and no… even if it means walking away from business.”

The firm line is described in the latest ‘Corporate Responsibility Report 2008’. “This document is a fundamental statement of intent… We will never, ever compromise on our ethical business credentials,” he adds, stressing that good behavior makes sound business sense.

Ethical operations are core

Nokia Siemens Networks views its business of providing communications to the world’s poorest people as fundamentally ethical. Improved communication is already boosting development by helping to co-ordinate relief efforts and enabling people to access education and healthcare services.

Business partners and suppliers are expected to operate to the same high standards as Nokia Siemens Networks, and the company conducts regular audits to ensure compliance with the set requirements. The recently updated Nokia Siemens Networks’ Code of Conduct also promotes consistent standards in all of the company’s international dealings in areas such as human rights and labor relations.

Environmental targets set high

Nokia Siemens Networks is deeply committed to protecting the environment. The company has set some tough environmental targets for its internal operations, including cutting CO2 emissions from real estate by 30 percent by 2012 and increasing the use of renewable energy to 50 percent by 2010.

However, the biggest environmental improvements can be achieved through the company’s influence on its customers and other industries. “Around 90 percent of the telecoms energy footprint is created when our customers use the products that we sell to them… We’re focusing very much on our energy leadership and the energy efficiency of the products we provide to the market,” Beresford-Wylie explained.

The company will improve the efficiency of GSM/EDGE and WCDMA/HSPA Base Station products by up to 40 percent by 2012, and make renewable energy sources the first choice for all remote Base Station sites by 2011.

A never-ending story

Simon Beresford-Wylie, CEO since the start of Nokia Siemens Networks, steps down on 30th September 2009. He is succeeded by Rajeev Suri, currently Head of Services, who will take over as CEO on 1st October 2009.

Beresford-Wylie recognizes that there is still room to improve in some areas. One example is greater diversity within the workforce, which is a firm aspiration: “In the end, diversity is important because it will enable us to be a more versatile and innovative company than we are today.”

Find out more about the report at: www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com/csr