At Applied Materials we were pioneers in recognizing the importance of companies paying attention to the communities in which they operate. We always kept a local focus and made sure we acknowledged our community in the shareholder letter in our annual report.
A company cannot thrive in a community that is not itself thriving. Engaging with local communities and their governments is not a distraction or a luxury. It gives a leader a better sense of the big picture, protects the interests and welfare of employees, and allows for more intelligent and practical advocacy.