CSR expert and board advisor to UST Global presents at USC, calls for strategic business/social enterprise

Corporate Social Involvement Can Improve Profitability and Deliver Return on Social Investment, Says Randall Ottinger

Aliso Viejo, Calif. - March 30, 2010 - Randall Ottinger, noted investor, philanthropist, author and business founder now affiliated with Kotter International, presented at the University of Southern California (USC) on March 8, 2010, providing a new paradigm for corporate social involvement. Also a Strategic Board Advisor to UST Global®, Mr. Ottinger was invited by the University to present Strategic Business/Social Enterprise, his framework for helping companies realize that they can in fact do well and do good.

According to Mr. Ottinger, companies can become Corporate Social Enterprises where investment in corporate social responsibility (CSR) improves profitability and delivers what he termed “a return on social investment.” He noted, “As long as corporate social investment is perceived as competing for corporate resources, it will create a discussion. If it is shown to enhance profitability, it will create action.” Mr. Ottinger bases his new paradigm for the strategic business/social enterprise on John Kotter’s 8-step process for change.

The presentation cited corporate founders who have become leaders in CSR: Anita Roddick of Body Shop, for her commitment to the corporate social enterprise; Mohamed Yunus of Grameen Bank, for socially responsible investing; Michael Milken of The Prostate Cancer Foundation, for strategic philanthropy; and Dean Allen of McKinstry, for sustainable development.

Mr. Ottinger presented a case study based on UST Global’s commitment to CSR since the firm’s inception in 1999. UST made its Social Mission as important to its development as its Business Mission by focusing on three core principles for transforming lives:

People: Humility, Humanity, Integrity

Profit: Grow wealth for employees & foundation

Planet: Sustainability, Women & Children, Adopt A Village

Jim Moore, Chair of the Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at USC, said, "USC’s core of industry faculty members partner with the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Epstein ISE Department and connect USC to their own networks of professional associates, many of whom agree to guest lecture at USC. Erich Kreidler of UST Global is an engaged, committed industry faculty member who brought us Randy Ottinger to explain how a leading company is integrating Corporate Social Responsibility as part of their business." Also participating in the lecture was Mary Johnson, UST’s director of corporate social responsibility.

CEO of UST Global Sajan Pillai added, “We were delighted that Randy highlighted UST in his lecture. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a core component of UST’s philosophy, supporting our belief that we will do well by doing good and giving back to the communities that we work in. We will continue our programs as well as encourage more commitment to CSR within the business community.”

Randall Ottinger can be contacted at rottinger@lmradvisors.com.

For more information on UST corporate social responsibility programs, see www.ust-global.com/about-ust/social responsibility.aspx.