Research focus: Company by company In this research document, we look at individual companies from around the globe currently recognised as leading this debate on integrated reporting, charting their journeys, progress and showing their approaches to integrated reporting. By focusing on these companies, we highlight the current standards that have been set and the goals achieved. We are indebted to the contributors from some of the companies featured in this document who took the time to speak with us, or forward us their thoughts on their experiences of integrated reporting challenges, benefits and the future journey. But while progress has been made in some areas, many challenges remain. None of the people we spoke to believed they had reached the end of the journey. We are aware that for those companies yet to take their first steps in integrated reporting, producing a report of this nature can seem daunting. For a start, it’s likely it cannot be achieved without a fundamental rethink of business activities and processes, thus closer collaboration is needed between different teams and individuals within an organisation. In recognition of these challenges, we have created this suite of research documents to shed light on key issues and stimulate debate. By analysing the progress already made in this relatively new field, the documents are intended to support senior managers as they embark on their integrated reporting journey. They aim to help companies seize the opportunities and maximise the benefits that integrated reporting presents. Finally, they also aim to show that by embedding sustainability within their business model, strategy and management processes, companies can begin to rebuild trust and confidence in the corporate world. www.blacksunplc.com © Black Sun Plc 2011 3
