The Case for Membership of the BLF

WHAT IS THE BUSINESS LEADERS FORUM?

Business Leaders Forum was set up in 1992 and is supported by leading international and national companies in the Czech Republic.

It is part of an international movement for good corporate citizenship led since 1990 by HRH The Prince of Wales and supported by a group of the foremost international business leaders from Europe, America, Asia and Middle East, together with international agencies such as The World Bank, European Union and United Nations Agencies.

IT IS A SPECIAL LEADERSHIP GROUP AS IT IS:

• Multi-national in membership - unlike the national chambers of commerce, and it is thus a unique focus for international collaboration.
• Works in partnership with leading non-government organisations, institutions and public bodies - thus dedicated to the idea of partnership between sectors.
• Not a voice of business; but focused on stimulating practical action and has a track record of six years achievement in promoting projects which apply business skills and resources to assist successful transition to the market economy.

WHY IS THE BUSINESS LEADERS FORUM IMPORTANT?

Economic and political change over the past few years put far greater emphasis on the part that the private business sector plays in economic development in partnership with others in the public and voluntary sectors to sustain healthy, harmonious and competitive economies. The priorities for action are:

• Those issues of high relevance to business - the four E´s:
  • Education (improving human capital)
  • Enterprise (promoting business and entrepreneurial skills)
  • Environment (eco-efficiency, environmental protection and improvement)
  • Exclusion (assisting those people who could lose out from the market economy: the young, disaffected and vulnerable sections of society)
     
• Where business has unique competence to assist — sharing business and management skills, training, business development, use of facilities, employee involvement and donations of product and cash.

HOW DOES THE BUSINESS LEADERS FORUM WORK?

BLF does not directly operate projects itself, but in most cases acts as a catalyst for others to work in partnership on projects. The approach can be summarised as A-B-C, it:

• ADVOCATES the case for business to play an active role as a partner in development and transition, and the case for partnership as an effective mechanism for success.
• BROKERS partnerships between business, civil society organisations / NGOs and public authorities to work together on projects which can then be scaled up to make an impact on the key issues.
• Helps build CAPACITY of business and partners to work together through sharing good practice case studies, information and advice.

HOW CAN MEMBERSHIP OF THE BUSINESS LEADERS FORUM BENEFIT BUSINESS?

Business members benefit from their membership in a number of ways:

• UNDERSTANDING how other prominent business and community leaders see the challenge of doing business and winning acceptance, and the role of business in transition to a market economy — which is particularly valuable for the successful positioning of new investors in the country.
   
• CONTRIBUTING TO ACTION ON KEY BUSINESS ISSUES — economic and human resources issues which effect the business environment.
   
• SCOPE FOR JOINT ACTION where more can be achieved in synergy than working independently — opportunity for others to be involved in your own projects, or “hitch-hiking” on the programmes of others (business and NGOs) where you do not have the capacity to initiate activities yourself, thus securing greater leverage.
   
• RECOGNITION AND ENHANCED REPUTATION amongst employees, customers, suppliers, public authorities and communities as being a good corporate citizen - contributing as a partner to development of the country.
   
• FEED-BACK on how the public authorities are approaching change and economic development and opportunity to contribute to essential public sector reform.
   
• NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING opportunities and link to an international network of experience and information through The Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum based in the UK which has a series of international campaigns, support programmes and capacity to mobilise international partners and an eight year track record for action.
   
• OPPORTUNITY to be part of a good value, cost-effective programme enlisting the support of other top class businesses, with track record for sound organisation.