For Immediate Release | Washington, DC |

Contact: A. Hoffman 866-546-2729

Are We Putting Unreasonable Burdens on Corporations to be Socially Responsible?

Does Society Expect Business to Do Too Much?

According to the chairman of the American Business Leadership Institute, corporations need to re-think how they are doing business today if they want to stay in the good graces of customers, investors and the government.

Doing Good--the New Rules of Corporate Responsibility, Conscience and Character,is the latest book from lawyer, professor and corporate responsibility expert, Adonis Hoffman.

Hoffman points out:

"It is not enough for companies to be competitive and do well. We also want corporations to help protect the environment, build roads, fight corruption, advance human rights, support the arts, contribute to local communities, compete globally, and create immense shareholder value, all at the same time.

"While these are real concerns, the expectations may be a bit too high. After all, the main duty of a corporation is to provide a quality good or service and return a reasonable profit to its shareholders. If they can find a way to do that, and be socially responsible too, they will be rewarded handsomely in the marketplace, but it is not easy."

In Doing Good, Hoffman lays out 55 simple,easy-to-follow rules for CEOs and business leaders to succeed amidst the new challenges of today's global marketplace in the areas of ethics, governance, citizenship, philanthropy, diversity, privacy and public policy.

Among the companies who have balanced these challenges successfully, Hoffman cites: Microsoft; Wal-Mart; Exxon-Mobil; Chevron; General Motors; Conoco Phillips; Ford Motor; Citigroup; Bank of America; ATT; J.P. Morgan Chase; HP; IBM; Valero Energy; Verizon; McKesson; Procter & Gamble; United Health Group; Kroger; Boeing; Target; State Farm; Well Point; Marathon Oil; United Technologies; 3M; Aetna; The Walt Disney Company; Home Depot; Johnson & Johnson, and Marriott, as examples of leadership.

In addition to serving as chairman of the American Business Leadership Institute, Mr. Hoffman is a lawyer and expert on corporate reputation and responsibility. He is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University where he lectures on Marketing, Advertising & Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility in the Communication, Culture and Technology Program.

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Mr. Hoffman, call 866-546-2729 or e-mail AH@adonishoffman.com