NYU-A#8-
Jeffrey Garofalo
October 27, 2000
International Organizations
The United Nations and the Private Sector
From: Your President and CEO
To: Senior Management
RE: Why we need to shake
hands with the UN.
CC: All Staff
We do business in
a world shaped by the twin pillars of globalization
and information
technology. The velocity of the international
marketplace today
would be unrecognizable to the business environment
understood by our
grandparents or our founding fathers. In both cases
from the past, the international trading system was dominated and governed by the nation state. Today,
production, investment, distribution and marketing decisions are made by firms, independent of
governments around the globe. In this globalized marketplace, we must look not to our national
government, but to the United Nations for the tools and machinery to compete and survive. The UN
offers us a competitive advantage in the promotion of our goods and services around the world. In
particular, the UN provides our firm with the opportunity to exploit our collaborative relationship in
the following areas, essential to our economic well being: The cultivation of new markets, the
codification of international norms and standards, the management of corporate responsibility and the
sharing of information and technical assistance.
Cultivation of New Markets
Recognizing that nations no longer seek the conquest of territories for outlets for their national goods
and services, we must work with the UN to increase international demand for our products. We
recognize that:
- By promoting development and increasing the standard of living in the developing world, we
create potential markets for our finished goods and services;
- By working to promote peace and security in every corner of the globe, we create the
conditions necessary for future capital and human investment.
Codification of Norms and Standards
Recognizing the importance of law to international business and capitalism, we must work with the UN
to:
- Safeguard our property and contracts overseas;
- Safeguard our intellectual property from piracy;
- Ensure open access to markets worldwide;
- Ensure open and uninterrupted communication and information technology. In particular, we
must work with the UN to ensure freedom of the seas, aviation, telecommunications, shipping,
postal services and Internet Access.
Managing Corporate Responsibility
Recognizing that in today's marketplace we find ourselves face to face with both our consumers and
our labor force, we must work with the UN to cultivate our public image. At stake is both our share
price and our ability to market and sell our goods. We must:
- Work with the UN to resolve expeditiously all grievances;
- Work with UN to promote a positive relationship between our firm and the communities where
our products are sold and where our production plants are located.
Information and Technical Assistance
Recognizing that information is the key to our success, we must utilize the UN to increase our
knowledge so as to better serve our consumers and stakeholders throughout the world. The UN can
provide our firm with:
- Demographic, population, income and socioeconomic data crucial for our understanding of
potential markets throughout the world;
- Assistance in collective bargaining sessions, labor, environmental and all other trading
matters;
- Knowledge of local laws and customs.
Conclusion
As we face both the opportunities and challenges of globalization, we must maximize our relationship
with the UN to remain competitive. In today's world, the UN provides the critical setting for exchanges
between private firms and international business personnel, so important to our firm's success.
Recognizing that only the UN provides both the resources and the knowledge of today's increasingly
competitive and complex global world, we must wrap ourselves in their flag in order to survive.
Thank You