Scott Mautz

Accountants play a key role in shaping corporate trust and ethical business practices, says world-renowned accounting scholar and professor Yongtae Kim. Since joining Santa Clara University’s faculty in 2001, his highly cited 2012 paper on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices has continued to influence how companies build public trust and strengthen their long-term value through transparent accounting and auditing. Discover how Kim’s work is reshaping accounting research and preparing Santa Clara University students for the rapid changes and innovations transforming the financial industry, particularly in Silicon Valley. Read more: https://go.scu.edu/49iJiGh

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Supply chain risk management often involves simulations. Love that Hasbro is using gamification as a learning tool. As a practice-based master's program, the supply chain management program at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies leans heavily into experential learning including simulations, gamification, and role-based scenarios. AI is making learning gamification even more accessible. What types of tools are your organizations using to gamify learning?

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The latest iteration of “if you have a brain, you have bias®” Why Boards need to lead using Incisive Leadership 🌟 Inspired. Energized. Grateful. A protocol for human connection. The Inclusive Governance Summit at Santa Clara University brought together leaders and changemakers to explore how governance can operate with integrity, courage, and build from intersectional and intergenerational frameworks. A special thank you to the Black Corporate Board Readiness (BCBR) program for championing this vital work and preparing board-ready leaders whose perspectives will strengthen organizations everywhere. One theme that echoed throughout the summit: incisive is the new inclusion. It’s not enough to talk about diversity—we must step back from the constant deluge of gaslighting “news,” pause to see beyond the noise, and ask sharper questions. Only then can boards cut through bias and make decisions that increase trust and accountability. This challenge is even more urgent in an American landscape where 30 of 50 states passed DEI-related legislation by the end of 2024. Boards cannot afford to rely on generic approaches. They need nuanced tactical steps that embrace change while staying true to their company values. That means balancing compliance with courage, translating commitments into action, and ensuring the company values are not just aspirational, but operational. And in today’s landscape, that includes technology. Boards of every size must identify, define, and deploy an AI governance strategy. Without it, we risk embedding bias into our systems and falling short of the very inclusion we seek to advance. Especially critical is the work of addressing algorithmic bias, biased data sets, and the limitations of LLMs, alongside existing institutional biases. These three areas share the same word—bias—but the differences between them are profound. Recognizing those distinctions, and planning strategically for each, is what separates boards that are reactive from those that are proactive. At Percipio Company, we believe that if you have a brain, you have bias®. With awareness and action, leaders can move from bias to belonging®, ensuring governance isn’t just representative, but also incisive, responsible, and future-ready. ✨ Deep gratitude to the organizers, the BCBR program, and all who are advancing this dialogue. The ripple effects extend far beyond the summit.

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Unlocking Hidden Opportunities: The Long-Tail Model in Organizations 🎯 Have you ever considered how the aggregation of small, niche products or unconventional solutions can lead to significant outcomes? The Long-Tail Model highlights the importance of not overlooking these lesser-known segments in favor of focusing solely on mainstream "blockbusters." What is the Long-Tail Model? Rather than banking on a few top sellers, this model embraces a diverse array of niche products, services, or concepts. While each may individually have limited demand, collectively, they can outperform the more popular items in terms of value creation. How can it benefit organizations? 1. Reveals unexplored markets or solutions: Combining small, specialized offerings can yield substantial impacts. 2. Encourages ongoing innovation: Teams are empowered to experiment and scale niche ideas, fostering creativity beyond mainstream preferences. 3. Enhances problem-solving: By addressing a broader range of everyday challenges, organizations become more adaptable and resilient. 4. Optimizes resource allocation: Data-informed decisions prioritize numerous small victories over pursuing a small number of high-profile successes. Daily Insight: Examine your organization’s initiatives, clientele, or obstacles. Identify the "long tail" - those often overlooked segments holding untapped potential. Embrace scalable tools (such as digital platforms or automated workflows) to translate these small wins into tangible business value. 🎥 For a concise overview, watch this brief video (less than 90 seconds): https://lnkd.in/gJj7AcMd Empower your organization to leverage the Long-Tail Model, where modest endeavors can yield remarkable outcomes! #LongTailModel #Innovation #ContinuousImprovement #BusinessStrategy #OrganizationalSuccess

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👉 Should you keep a poker face or be an open book in negotiation? Neither. Hiding everything stalls deals. Revealing everything costs you leverage. The real skill is disciplined transparency: sharing your value-drivers while protecting your BATNA. In my latest column, I break down the 3 negotiation styles: Poker-Face, Open-Book, and Strategic Transparency—and why only one consistently creates stronger relationships and better deals. https://lnkd.in/geiZxdmM

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25 Expert Answers to Real-World Commercial Negotiation Challenges This article covers 25 essential scenarios that every business professional encounters. From navigating the treacherous waters of internal company politics to transforming adversarial tender processes into collaborative opportunities, these questions reveal strategies to shift from defensive price discussions to value-creating partnerships. Whether you're facing unilateral demands from powerful customers, building trust with difficult counterparts, or adapting to the new realities of virtual negotiations, this guide provides battle-tested approaches for turning conflict into mutual gain in commercial negotiation.

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I believe that investing in leadership skills is more critical than ever. In a rapidly changing world, adaptive and reflective leaders are better equipped to navigate challenges and inspire their teams. This investment not only benefits individual careers but also cultivates a culture of growth and resilience within organizations. “The Seven Transformations of Leadership” article is a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of leadership development and its profound implications for organizational success. The authors, David Rooke and William R. Torbert, explore a compelling idea: what truly differentiates effective leaders isn't just their style or personality, but their internal "action logic." This refers to how leaders interpret their surroundings and respond to challenges. They reveal that many leaders overlook the importance of understanding their own action logic, yet those who do embark on this journey of self-discovery can drive significant transformations—not only in themselves but also within their organizations. Thanks a lot, Dirk Devos for sharing ! https://lnkd.in/gxx-87bX #Leadership #Development #HBR #ProfessionalGrowth #OrganizationalChange

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Diamonds don’t build legacy. People do. In the natural diamond industry, credibility is essential. But what truly sustains an organization is not policy alone, it is people. Over the years, I’ve learned that: • Trust is the real currency of our trade. • Policies set direction, but culture drives behavior. • Empowerment strengthens accountability and innovation. • Institutional memory must be preserved, not assumed. • HR plays a strategic role in safeguarding trust. As ESG expectations evolve and scrutiny increases, resilience will come from human integrity, not documentation alone. Diamonds may be forever. But trust is the only currency that never depreciates. I remain grateful to the World Diamond Council (WDC) for the platform to contribute to responsible industry dialogue, and to Steven Benson and Elodie Daguzan for their continued guidance and commitment to ethical progress. Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/dzmj-b4D

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