It has been a long journey to this moment, and it still isn't over. As the world holds its breath, we're focusing this week's newsletter on organizations dedicated to building back better — whether that's better civic discourse, a better economy, addressing the pandemic, a more resilient climate, or a more inclusive society. These issues will continue to reverberate, and the stories below remind us that we can work towards a brighter, better future. Read on to get inspired for the road ahead... |
|
|
INSIGHTS | We Need Decent Work |
|
|
As people worldwide struggle with job losses due to Covid-19, a new guide from Business Fights Poverty could serve as a valuable resource for leaders looking to prioritize decent work. The 8th Sustainable Development Goal says decent jobs offer security and equal opportunity, and support health and well-being. With examples from Levis, Unilever, and other leading companies, the guide highlights how decent work can deliver value for businesses and workers. It also outlines four big lifts to make decent work mainstream, including greater collective action at the industry level. As the World Bank projects that poverty rates will rise for the first time in 20 yrs, this timely resource is worth a look. |
|
|
INSIGHTS | Companies in a Post-Election World |
|
|
Throughout this U.S. election cycle, brands have been pushed to rethink how they engage with political and social issues. Amidst polarization and division, Morning Consult surveyed 2,000+ Americans and found the majority of respondents believe companies should drive change on important social issues. In fact, 56% said they pay close attention to the ethics and politics of brands they buy, and 38% refuse to buy from brands that act unethically (a 12-point increase from last year!). What's more, many Americans believe companies should prioritize the interests of shareholders last, with 38% recommending companies should put employees first. Check out the full results. |
|
|
VOTING | CEO Urged Customers to Vote Out Trump |
|
|
David Barrett, CEO of software company Expensify, sent an email to 10M customers asking them to vote out Trump. The message is notable because it goes beyond the average corporate push for voter engagement, such as Levi’s #VoteAboutIt campaign and the Time to Vote movement. Barrett explicitly addresses what others have skirted, voicing fears of Trump's repeated questioning of democracy and refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power. "We are facing an unprecedented attack on the foundations of democracy," wrote Barrett. "I’m asking you to cherish [the Constitution] and demand that those you elect do the same." Is this new level of corporate advocacy a bridge too far or a welcome sign of things to come? Read the email and judge for yourself. |
|
|
BRAND ACTIVATION | Ikea's Plan to Recycle and Resell |
|
|
INNOVATION | Making it Easier to Offset Your Footprint |
|
|
Neutral, a browser extension for Chrome and FireFox, helps customers offset their carbon emissions when they shop online. The extension calculates each purchase's carbon footprint to encourage customers to offset their online shopping by donating to NGOs fighting climate change. While Neutral focuses on customers, payments processor Stripe is giving a similar opportunity to online businesses. Stripe Climate allows U.S. merchants to give a proportion of their revenue to fund carbon removal technologies. Merchants using the service receive a carbon reduction badge to show customers. With 62% of Americans saying they favor environmentally-responsible brands, this could give businesses a helpful boost. |
|
|
ENVIRONMENT | A Carbon Negative U.S. Military? |
|
|
The U.S. Department of Defense is the world’s largest institutional producer of greenhouse gases, so it might come as a surprise that it aims to go carbon negative. The Defense Department has identified climate change as a national security issue that will increase the need for humanitarian and military intervention. In search of fossil fuel alternatives, the Air Force – the single largest user of fuel in the U.S. – launched the Reimagining Energy Challenge, which asks innovators for help to "become carbon negative." Meanwhile, the Navy patented technology in 2016 that extracts carbon dioxide from seawater to produce synthetic liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Read Triple Pundit's coverage to learn more about the U.S. military's search for solutions to the climate crisis. |
|
|
VIDEOS WORTH WATCHING | "We can disagree without hating" |
|
|
A series of joint PSAs from competing gubernatorial candidates in Utah emphasized the need to be civil to those who hold differing political opinions. The 30-sec. adverts feature Republican Spencer Cox saying, "we can disagree without hating each other" and Democrat Chris Peterson adding, "we can debate issues without degrading each other's character." Their ads garnered 2.5+ million views in 24 hours. Read Cox and Peterson's letter about why they team up to promote decency and democracy. |
|
|
Founded on hard work, respect for employees, and a penchant for bold decisions, Cox Enterprises exists to “empower people today to build a better future for the next generation.” In PURPOSE 360's latest episode, we spoke with Maury Wolfe, AVP Corporate Responsibility and Public Affairs, and Bob Jimenez, SVP Corporate Affairs, about the company's deeply-integrated purpose. Listen for insights on: - Why Cox considers employees its most important resource.
- Details about Cox Conserves, the company’s decade-plus national sustainability program.
- Cox’s New Ventures arm, which invests in sustainability-minded companies in cleantech and agriculture.
Other Recent Episodes: Episode 73: Talking Leadership, Reinvention and Entrepreneurship with Dorie Clark Episode 72: Pioneering an Industry with Levi Strauss & Co. Episode 71: Igniting the B Corp Movement with Chris Marquis Episode 70: Uniting Impact and Creativity with Elliot Kotek |
|
|
SAVE THE DATE | The Purpose Calendar |
|
|
We remain inspired by the organizations finding creative ways to connect digitally and continue the important work of collaborative, purpose-driven change. Please check each event's website for the most up-to-date information on Covid19 related changes. |
|
|
NOVEMBER - Accelerating the Purpose Economy, Nov. 4-5, virtual and in-person, New York, NY
- Integrate 2020, Nov. 9-11, virtual, address the shift to a balanced stakeholder approach from the shareholder practices of the past 50 years
- Bloomberg Sustainable Business Summit, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, New York, NY, brings together business leaders and investors who aim to scale best practices in sustainable business and finance
- SB Long Beach: We Are Regeneration, Nov. 30-Dec. 3, Long Beach, CA, a global community of change-makers share the latest developments in purpose-led brands and sustainable business
DECEMBER - Sustainatopia, Dec. 15-16, virtual and in-person, Los Angeles, CA
|
|
|
Sign up for our newsletter |
|
|
|
|
