André Hoffmann Discusses Business Ethics
Geneva, February 24, 2022: The American International Club (AIC) hosted its 811th speaking event since its inception in 1951, led by André Hoffmann, Vice-Chairman of Roche Holding, a world-leading pharmaceutical company. In front of an overflowing number of attendees at the Hotel Metropole, Mr. Hoffmann provided a thought-provoking talk about the importance of business ethics.
Mr. Hoffmann stated that our world today is driven by short-term profit at any cost. The capitalistic system of focusing only on selling competitively-priced products in high volume to consumers has led to collateral environmental damage. We have lost 65% of our forests since the 1950s, while the world population has tripled. The current global ecosystem is not resilient enough.
Mr. Hoffmann believes that we need to better serve society through long-term impact assessment that can alleviate current economic inefficiencies. He noted we must measure long-term risk on social, human and environmental factors, not just short-term business profits. Mr. Hoffmann is trying to create accounting principles and tools for long-term impact measurement.
Mr. Hoffmann delved into the human factor of work in our society. He said that each individual must be able to establish a state of well-being and happiness. At Roche, he encourages employees to be passionate, courageous, and true to their values. The result is people feel more valuable, which makes them happy. Generally, companies should promote long-term human development, not just quick growth and materiality.
AIC President, Paige Holt, closed-out the event by thanking André Hoffmann, and presenting him a lifetime AIC membership certificate.