We hope the ‘back to school’ actually involves students returning to classrooms and that you found time to enjoy the warm temperatures and long, sunny days. The spring from after Labor Day to mid-November is another busy time for companies as they complete one calendar year and prepare for the next. We are no exception to that rule as our focus is on company culture and the changes wrought by 2020, and remote work, pandemic economics and other factors.
Culture is one of the four pillars of Conscious Capitalism and we have two discussions on tap. RSVPs are requested.
Weds. Sept. 23rd - Raj Sisodia, Babson College professor and author of the book “Everybody Matters” and Bob Chapman, chairman/CEO of St. Louis, MO-based Barry-Wehmiller, a $2.5B global manufacturing business with 11,000 team members. Bob’s view of leadership is People-Purpose-Performance that creates an environment where employees are engaged and fulfilled.
Thurs. Oct 1st – In conversation with Peggy Burns, associate dean at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, who is responsible for development and alumni. She has made “WorkplaceJoy” her mission and a hashtag as she tries to develop a connected workplace that encourages participation, inclusion, safety, curiosity, innovation and a sense of purpose.
In the world premiere of the documentary “Beyond Zero,” first-time filmmaker Nathan Havey depicts the story of Ray Anderson, who built Interface, a successful carpet tile business. Havey has used Anderson’s story to teach business leaders to thrive by setting their sights beyond profit to solve humanity’s most pressing problems. Now an emerging leader in the global movement to evolve capitalism, Havey is eager to bring “The most important business story of the last 100 years” to contemporary audiences. Nathan Havey is writer director and his father, Jim Havey, is the producer.
Following the screening, a virtual question-and-answer session will include director Nathan Havey, Erin Meezan, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer for Interface;” and Interface dream team member, and Paul Hawken, acclaimed environmentalist and Interface team member.
Order your tickets today!
A NEW VIEW OF ETHICAL INVESTING
The 2020 summer of activism and calls for change surfaced some very interesting approaches, from new philanthropies aimed at restoring jobs in dense urban areas hit hard by Covid infections to a radical rethinking of college finance and delivery of higher education courses.
This Marketwatch article adds another business as a driver of social change: instead of avoiding stocks or companies that are viewed negatively, turn the tables and look for places to invest for both financial, and community, gains. It was developed by Activest, an investment research and consulting firm created by former public finance and municipal bond executives, to better match places in need of capital with investors.
One description calls it “fiscal justice investing” – shifting part of a nearly $4 trillion marketplace of states, cities, towns, water/sewer/drainage districts, schools, hospitals, transportation networks all competing for attention. The conservative pace of the “muni bond” world with thousands of local economies offers a range of credit risks and demographics but investors rarely know precisely where their money goes. Activest found examples in Chicago of funds being spent on insurance settlements and expenses. Where are you investing for impact?
WELCOME NEW CORPORATE MEMBER
TekDoc Solutions, a company of North Shore IT experts, is the latest corporate member to join Conscious Capitalism Boston. They specialize in security and reliability of IT platforms for financial and legal clients all over the Boston metro area.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
September 13th was the 50th anniversary of Milton Frieman's seminal essay "The Business of Business" and the New York Times compiled opinions from economists, policy and business leaders.
As a contrast to the shareholder maximization operating philosophy, stakeholder capitalism continues to gain momentum. Check out this podcast to hear stories of businesses excelling when looking for win-win scenarios for all their stakeholders.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Conscious Culture Part I: Creating & Sustaining Caring Cultures on September 23rd at 2 EST
Boston Film Festival: World Premiere of Beyond Zero on September 26th at 6:30 PM EST
Conscious Culture Part II: Fostering a Joyful Work Environment on October 1st at 2 EST