Resources
We conduct original research on the causes of short-term business decisions and work to find practical solutions.
Investor-Corporate Engagement | Article
23 June 2025 - The global proxy system is at a crossroads. Frustrations from investors and issuers in the proxy process are leading to frequent headlines from both camps calling for reform, but solutions have been elusive. Furthermore, frustrations with the proxy process are often cited as one of the reasons companies question the need to be publicly listed, especially given the rise of private markets investing in the last decade.
Innovation, Investor-Corporate Engagement | Podcast
27 May 2025 - “We have the humility of an LP, but we also have the rigor of a GP. So, when you combine those two, you get something like Capital Constellation, which is a very innovative collaborative ecosystem of asset owners and asset managers.”
Investor-Corporate Engagement | Report
18 December 2024 - A well-functioning proxy voting system is critical to support effective capital allocation and participation in the public markets. This report examines the factors that have led to the current situation and broaches potential solutions to build a stronger system.
Earnings Guidance, Investor-Corporate Engagement | Article
17 October 2024 - For years, the corporate world was entrenched in the practice of providing quarterly earnings per share (EPS) guidance. The latest data shows it may finally be on its way out.
Investor-Corporate Engagement, Incentive Alignment | Article
31 July 2024 - Using the sustainability J-curve as a tool for visualizing strategies that may not pay off today, but will likely pay off over time, will promote better company-investor dialogue, which in turn will help more ideas, innovations, and long-term rewards see the light of day.
Investor-Corporate Engagement | Report
7 March 2023 - Curating a targeted long-term shareholder base aligned with the company’s priorities is the key to unlocking greater value over time.
Investor-Corporate Engagement, Climate | Podcast
3 October 2022 - Historically, the purpose of the private investment industry – whether public or private – has been simply to achieve a return. Bain’s John Connaughton joins the podcast to discuss how to break that stereotype, both within his organization and across the industry as a whole. Topics include: How mission and purpose drive its investment process and its dialogue with companies How Bain is improving the sustainability of its portfolio, including highlights of their latest ESG report Diversity and inclusivity in the private equity industry The history of Bain’s focus...
Investor-Corporate Engagement | Article
25 July 2022 - For companies, cultivating a base of longer-term shareholders allows managers to refocus their strategy on the future. As expected, evidence shows having the support of long-term shareholders provides a buffer against being derailed by short-term shareholders and activists.
Investor-Corporate Engagement, Climate | Report
31 May 2022 - New research suggests that companies could do more to bridge the gap between their climate change approach and their long-term value creation strategies.
Investor-Corporate Engagement, Climate | Podcast
13 December 2021 - “What we do in that first part of the relationship, whether they're an existing client or a prospect, is to spend a lot of time on building expectations. ‘This is who we are. This is what we believe fits with a long-term investor.’”
Investor-Corporate Engagement, Climate | Toolkit
1 November 2021 - Companies are setting net zero and other climate commitments in growing numbers to demonstrate their readiness to take action in the face of climate change. However, meaningful details about how these commitments and even climate change itself will affect corporate strategy are scarce. Such clarity is particularly important for assets, companies, and industries in transition. The lack of clarity is impeding market reactions to climate commitments.
Investor-Corporate Engagement | Article
28 January 2021 - Recent, real-world cases illustrate how external expectations can shape and alter investors' responsibilities