How Online

Brands and retailers are digging deep into their supply chains to better understand the environmental and social impact of the things they make and sell. This emerging trend of "traceability," or supply chain transparency, now requires companies to understand the full depths of their supply chains much better than most do, says HOW contributor Marc Gunther.

Nearly 300 executives, NGO leaders and government types came to our conference on business and the environment. They were a diverse, disputatious group, which is what we wanted. While there was disagreement over what path to take, there was consensus that business needs to find ways to become more sustainable, says HOW contributor Marc Gunther.

Chinese company BYD is emerging as a major contender in the electric car market. Investor Warren Buffett has taken notice. But what's also getting BYD attention is its forward-thinking management, says HOW contributor Marc Gunther, which is working with Business for Social Responsibility to empower its people to improve the company.

CEOs are overpaid, but the real issue is the way compensation has become disconnected from performance and how pay practices create short-term incentives. The solution? Give shareholders the ability to nominate board candidates and replace directors who have failed on the job, says HOW contributor Marc Gunther.

The AIG bonuses have an added sting now because not many people are getting raises or bonuses. So if companies can't motivate with money, how can they get the behavior they want from their people? By inspiring them. I can't imagine a more sustainable source of competitive advantage, says HOW Online contributor Marc Gunther.

Since leaving FORTUNE, I’ve thought a lot about how to spend my most precious asset — my time, says Marc Gunther. I realized I wanted to work with people whose values I share. So I’ve joined HOW Online to help develop the discussion on how to lead a great business, inspire people, make money and make the world a better place.