Bethany McLean: A Journalist's Perspective on Business Gone Wrong and What it Takes to Get it Right [Video]

By Brett Beasley

Bethany McLean has had a front row seat to the last few decades' biggest business debacles. After breaking the story of fraud at Enron, she has gone on to write books about the financial crisis, the housing crisis, and trouble in the oil industry. For all that, McLean is optimistic about the potential of business done right. In this video interview, McLean shares her insights on spotting fraudsters, avoiding short-termism, the difference between rules and principles, and the effect of social media on business transparency.

 

Are fraudsters simply "bad apples"?

What stands in the way of business done right?

Rules vs. Principles

Has social media made businesses more transparent?

Related Content

Sports and Ethical Leadership: Views from the Field

Sports and Ethical Leadership: Views from the Field

Like most universities with Division I athletics, Notre Dame doesn’t need to look far to find alumni making their mark in competition after graduation. But sports as an industry is big business - with big challenges, and ever-expanding opportunities for ethical leadership. We sat down with alumni working in the industry along with faculty member and NDDCEL Fellow Professor Brian Levey

Sustainable Energy for a Sustainable Future

Sustainable Energy for a Sustainable Future

“Isn’t every company a sustainable company?”

 

This is the challenging question posed by Kirsten Higgins, ND ’14, during her insightful interview on the present and future of renewable energy. She expanded on this question noting that as more companies become attuned to the costs—tangible and intangible

A Crystal Clear Opportunity: Transparency Improves Business and Sets Your Firm Apart

A Crystal Clear Opportunity: Transparency Improves Business and Sets Your Firm Apart

It’s clear by now that ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factors are part of the 21st century business landscape. You can’t stroll through business or investing sites without coming across the term, but a simple commitment to ESG is not going to be enough for companies to justify their social license to operate. Consumers, especially Gen Z who have considerable market power, have gotten savvy to ‘greenwashing’ and ‘social washing’ by major companies and are demanding more transparency