Strategies for accelerating social purpose in business: an interview

Social purpose in business is taking off, but to realize a sustainable future, this business trend needs to be accelerated. In this 25-minute interview I unpack opportunities to create an enabling environment for social purpose business to start, transition, thrive and grow.

The Social Purpose of Associations

We’re in a moment of awakening about the role of organizations in society. Organizations are examining what they stand for in a world undergoing fundamental transformation.

The Social Purpose of Associations: A Call to Action to Serve the Greater Good

The intersecting crises of the pandemic, soaring inequality, the climate emergency, and the urgent need to combat systemic racism create a burning platform for organizations everywhere – including and especially associations – to reconfigure their mandates to serve the greater good. There is no better time than now as society recovers from the COVID shutdown.

Why do associations exist? Why should we care?

In the past, associations existed to serve the interests of their members, acting as the public voice, and building excellence in their sector or profession. But today there is a new breed of association serving society and the greater public good: the social purpose association.

Time for associations to help their members become forces for good

The intersecting crises of the pandemic, accelerating climate change, and increasing inequality are driving associations and their members to reinvent themselves for the future. The race is on to re-engineer association mandates and member value propositions to secure their relevance and put humanity on a sustainable footing. These times call for associations to repurpose themselves to serve not just their members but society.

Professionalism on the Line

Professionals who received their education over 10 years ago and haven’t upgraded to understand the implications of sustainability trends, risks and opportunities may be putting their organizations at risk.

CSR Expectations Rising in the Construction Industry: Toolkit Can Help

Headlines grab our attention as they are meant to do, but they often obscure the information that really matters. Stories of SNC Lavalin controversies mask the social good of the construction industry and divert focus from the industry’s other pressing social and environmental opportunities and risks.