European Securities Network uses Symphony’s collaboration platform to create a compliant channel for members to connect with cross-company parties in real time.
Throughout the restaurant sector we’ve seen companies place an increasing emphasis on their sustainability narratives. For example, Shake Shack has recently received praise for their commitment to only use cage-free eggs globally. Domino’s has also taken active stances in response to today’s challenges. Helping to mitigate the effects of COVID-19, they committed to give away 10 Million slices of pizza nationwide. In their recent earnings call our ESG model highlighted additional Corporate Philanthropy efforts when they pledged $3 million in support for African American communities.
Actions like these help to increase the positive image of a brand, and at a time when restaurants as well as hospitality businesses are struggling from the pandemic, positive news is a boon towards long term viability and customer retention.
McDonald’s offers a contrasting ESG trajectory with an Impact Score of -218 this month (-58 Sentiment). This was largely due to the allegations of sexual misconduct surrounding former CEO Stephen Easterbrook. Although Easterbrook is no longer with the company, these stories seem to be the tip of the iceberg in what appears to be a systemic problem within the company.
In past years McDonald’s might have been tempted to sweep this crisis under the rug rather than confront their former CEO. By taking action here they’re signaling a commitment to transparency, reform, and accountability. Time will tell if this is indeed a low sentiment point for the firm that they can improve over the upcoming months.
By using Symphony’s ESG product suite to analyze peer groups you’re able to pick out ESG winners and losers as well as find opportunities in real-time. Moving forward we’ll continue to track McDonald’s to verify if this action does indeed signal a culture turnaround that would see the company better align itself with competitors’ messaging.
2024 has been a reality check for automotive manufacturers and the long heralded green shift towards renewables and electric cars. Symphony’s ESG Platform shows that mentions for electric vehicles, normally an overwhelmingly positive topic in our taxonomy, are seeing more negative sentiment and mentions.
Data security and regulatory controls grow more important every year, due to increasingly sophisticated hacking groups, generational shifts in technology and the massive financial fines imposed by the regulators in cases of non compliance with data-handling requirements. The pressure is on for trusted partners that deliver robust data security that prioritizes cryptographic protection, offers purpose-built security solutions, and fosters a culture of collaboration and transparency.
The 2020s are an unprecedented decade of disruption and every market participant is either the disruptor…or the disrupted. Today, we stand at the precipice of artificial general intelligence and every well-run organization should be actively seeking to disrupt themselves right now. Symphony has been able to remain almost a decade ahead of disruption by understanding one simple truth—thriving through disruption. This demands three things from your technology: resiliency, stability and flexibility.