Ethisphere Institute named Yardi client Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL) one of the 2016 World’s Most Ethical Companies for the ninth consecutive year. The Ethisphere Institute sets international benchmarks for ethical business practices. To determine the ethical integrity of businesses throughout the world, Ethisphere assesses prospects based upon the Ethics Quotient™ (EQ) framework. Ethisphere developed EQ after compiling and analyzing several years of data. This data was then interpreted and refined by expert advice from Ethisphere’s Methodology Advisory Panel. The EQ evaluates definitive criteria of core competencies for corporate governance, risk, sustainability, compliance and ethics. Scores are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program (35%) corporate citizenship and responsibility (20%) culture of ethics (20%) governance (15%) leadership, innovation and reputation (10%) JLL returns to the list as one of Ethispheres World’s Most Ethical Companies for the ninth year. Colin Dyer, President and Chief Executive Officer at JLL, says, “We are very proud of being part of a small and elite group of global companies that have remained on Ethisphere’s list for so many years.” He continues, “Integrity has been a fundamental value and essential part of our culture throughout our long history, and it continues to serve the best interests of our clients, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders.” While JLL corporate establishes the framework of ethics within the organization, the employees uphold the statutes on a daily basis. Each year during performance reviews, employees are required to sign the Annual Certification of Commitment to Our Code. Employees re-certify their commitment to JLL ethics and corporate policies as part of the Individual Performance Management Program (IPMP). Mark J. Ohringer, General Counsel and Chief Ethics Officer, states, “With particular thanks to our global team of Ethics Officers and Liaisons for maintaining the strength of...

Pushing ethics to the top of its priority list has paid off for CBRE Group Inc., which has a long history of strong reputation management practices. Recently named one of the world’s most ethical companies by an independent assessor, the Ethisphere Institute, the global commercial real estate firm takes corporate values, which have a direct impact on business practices, exceptionally seriously. Those values inform processes, procedures and prioritization of compliance, risk management, communications and client security. At the heart of the effort is the CBRE RISE program, standing for “Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence.” The company’s 44,000 global employees receive quarterly training sessions in ethics and compliance, delivered either online or in person. A compliance officer exists for each country where the company does business—55 in all. “If you hold up your individual corporate values, that will empower your people to feel confident and make the right decisions in difficult circumstances,” said Tyson Avery, chief ethics and compliance officer for CBRE, a Yardi client. “There’s no cookie-cutter commercial real estate transaction, and the same is true with the risks that we face. All scenarios are a little different.” Avery identifies cloud security, corruption, conflicts of interest and data privacy as all being areas of relatively high risk for global companies. Hence the prioritization by CBRE of best practices, which is enhanced not only by the frequent training sessions but maintenance of a hotline/helpline where employees can anonymously report any concerns. Ethisphere’s “World’s Most Ethical Companies” are recognized for their policies and actions, including ethical business standards and practices, exceeding legal compliance minimums and being industry leaders. For 2014, Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. and Reology Holdings Corp. were also recognized in the real estate sector.  Marriott International was among the honorees in Leisure and...