ABSTRACT
Strategy is usually defined as the methods or plans chosen to get to a desired future state, that is, to the desired outcomes. A gold mining company obtained a licence to exploit a gold deposit during a period of national privatisation. A large construction company has a legal obligation to engage stakeholders. They are aware that legislation requiring this includes: strategic Environmental Assessments & Environmental Impact Assessments; some international conventions that can impact their business, e.g. the Aarhus and the Espoo Conventions; and commitment to the Equator Principles. Using engagement to inform everyday planning, execution and management of operations makes a lot of sense. New perspectives bring new ideas. The good news is that engagement not only takes trust but, when done well, builds trust that adds not only organisational but also social value.
