Purpose 360 with Carol Cone

Latest Episodes:

Better Care for a Better World with Kimberly-Clark May 23, 2023

Show notes

Each of Kimberly-Clark’s brands has a brilliant purpose that guides everything they do. From focusing on environmental impact to supporting and enabling women to break down barriers to opportunity, Kimberly-Clark equips its brands to provide Better Care for a Better World.

One way is through Kotex’s She Can Initiative. While the brand focuses on raising awareness around Menstrual Hygiene Day each year, it also champions women’s progress year-round by fighting period stigmas and the barriers they cause. Projects have included producing a film depicting how period stigma nearly stopped the first woman soccer referee, creating a “She Can Anthem,” and changing the color of the fluid used in product marketing.

We invited Alison Lewis, Chief Growth Officer, to discuss how Kimberly-Clark operates with its purpose-led, performance-driven approach and how it ultimately influences culture through its purpose.

Listen for insights on:

Inspiring innovation with purpose
Activating brand purpose to challenge stigmas
Opening social impact work to other collaborators
Creating and maintaining a purpose-led, performance-driven culture

Resources + Links:

(00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) - Kimberly-Clark
(01:26) - Meet Alison Lewis, Chief Growth Officer
(02:46) - The Importance of Purpose
(05:41) - Doing Better, Reinventing, Reimagining
(07:49) - Social Impact Strategies
(10:46) - Innovation From Purpose
(12:21) - Menstrual Hygiene Day
(14:11) - Kotex She Can Initiative
(16:46) - Changing Fluid
(17:45) - From the Core
(19:34) - Culture Compass
(21:34) - Linking Company Purpose to Personal Purpose
(23:47) - Toilets Change Lives
(25:00) - Measurements
(25:40) - Bringing Others In
(27:13) - Pearls of Wisdom
(29:54) - ESG
(31:39) - Last Word
(34:45) - Wrap Up

How Hormel Applies Cultural Anthropology to Fuel Inclusive Innovation May 09, 2023

Show notes

When you think of cultural anthropologists, do you picture them working for a food company?

It makes perfect sense once you meet Tanya Rodriguez of Hormel Foods. Tanya, whose official title is Senior Human Experience Research Manager, uses ethnography and storytelling to uncover diverse consumer insights. By identifying product pain points and uncovering consumer's desires, she guides Hormel teams on renovating existing products or creating new ones to improve consumer food experiences. As a former social worker, Tanya is also a fierce advocate for food equity and food sovereignty.

We invited Tanya to speak about the nature of her role and how learning directly from consumers impacts Hormel’s food while ensuring products reflect equity and representation.

Listen for insights on how a cultural anthropologist:

Evokes understanding of and improves equity to lower-income consumers
Inspires product innovation that drives inclusion
Advocates for the emerging needs of consumers

Resources + Links:

(00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) - Hormel
(01:37) - Meet Tanya Rodriguez
(04:06) - Hormel's History
(05:50) - Our Food Journey
(07:52) - Skippy
(09:13) - A Day in the Life
(10:41) - Driving Authenticity Forward
(14:30) - De-Colonizing Food
(16:03) - Equity
(18:34) - Examples
(19:43) - Future Goals
(20:57) - Advice for Young People
(23:02) - Food Deserts
(23:49) - Global
(24:50) - Publicly Held
(25:40) - Cultivating Unicorns
(28:23) - Last Word
(29:18) - Wrap Up

Building a Just and Regenerative Tomorrow with Forum for the Future Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

What does a sustainable future look like?

Leading international sustainability nonprofit Forum for the Future works to tackle this very question. Their answer: a just and regenerative future where the capacity of all living systems is strengthened to adapt, replenish, and regenerate; everyone’s human rights and potential to thrive is respected; and our economies and societies are rewired to serve both people and the planet.

But how do we get there?

We invite Sally Uren, Chief Executive at Forum for the Future, to walk us through how businesses can lead the way to create a just and regenerative future where both people and the planet thrive and what to do along the way.

Listen for insights on:

Why procurement is a critical opportunity for value creation
How to build and maintain a successful partnership
How to shape the C-suite and Board’s mindsets to be open to social and environmental sustainability

Resources + Links:

(00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) - Forum for the Future • Sally Uren
(01:33) - Sally's Role
(03:01) - What Does a Sustainable Future Look Like?
(05:29) - Vision of Collaboration
(09:43) - Business Transformation Compass
(11:14) - Just and Regenerative
(12:57) - Procurement as Value Creation
(18:29) - Partnerships
(21:26) - Next Steps
(22:54) - Convincing CEOs
(26:01) - Workshops
(28:05) - What She's Proud Of
(29:21) - What's Important
(32:26) - Wrap Up

What is happening with ESG? Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

ESG — which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance — has become increasingly important as businesses recognize their responsibility to prioritize environmental and social investments.

Over the past few months, ESG has come under fire as politicians challenge whether ESG factors should be considered by investment managers and state pension funds. With the threat of being labeled “woke,” companies are looking for counsel on how they can maintain their commitments to environmental and social impact without being brought into the ESG fray.

We invited two business leaders to explain the ESG controversy and provide their insight to business leaders: Judy Samuelson, VP, Founder, and Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Business and Society Program; and David Young, Managing Director and Senior Partner of Boston Consulting Group.

Listen for insights on:

Why the ESG controversy is happening now
How the industry can shift the conversation away from politics and to better business
How businesses can hold themselves accountable with no single, accepted standard for ESG reporting
Why Boards are critical to advance ESG

Resources + Links:

(00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) - State of ESG
(01:11) - Judy's Background
(02:51) - David's Background
(04:03) - What Is ESG?
(07:49) - No One Single Set of Metrics
(09:52) - Telling Your Authentic Story
(12:13) - How Did We Lose Control?
(16:16) - Shifting Away from Politics
(18:28) - What Is a Term?
(22:21) - Talking to DeSantis
(24:10) - Boards
(28:36) - Last Word
(30:17) - Wrap Up

Open Hiring for Wide Open Dreams with Greyston Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

“We don’t hire people to bake brownies. We bake brownies to hire people.”

Greyston, a for-profit benefit corporation, is committed to unlocking the power of human potential through inclusive employment, one person at a time. Founder Bernie Glassman built Greyston bakery to hire people who faced barriers to employment. His solution was simple: Anyone with a desire to work would be added to a list and called when there was a position available. No interviews, no background checks, and no resumes required.

More than 40 years later, Greyston has benefited thousands of workers, their families, and communities through open hiring. And the company isn’t stopping there. Its new ten-year vision is to impact 100,000 people by helping other organizations implement inclusive hiring practices.

We invited Joseph Kenner, President and CEO, to speak to the present and future of Greyston and how inclusive hiring can benefit your organization.

Listen for insights on:

Why open and inclusive hiring won’t compromise professionalism and efficiency
Organizations that have successfully adopted open and inclusive hiring practices
The business impact of open and inclusive hiring

Resources + Links:

(00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) - Joseph Kenner • Greyston Bakery
(01:32) - What Drives Joe
(02:41) - What Does Greyston Do?
(03:51) - Open Hiring
(05:05) - Founder Bernie Glassman
(07:07) - Numbers
(07:50) - Why Open Hiring
(10:09) - Feeling
(10:55) - Example
(12:50) - Creating Awareness
(13:47) - Starting at Greyston
(15:17) - Pandemic Protocols
(16:55) - The Foundation
(20:00) - Advancing the Movement
(21:10) - Progress
(22:01) - 2030 Vision
(22:28) - Social Innovator of the Year
(23:29) - Exportability
(24:07) - Challenges
(24:50) - Fears
(26:17) - Barriers and Points
(27:40) - Buy, Donate, Replicate
(29:04) - Next Steps
(29:31) - Last Words
(30:18) - Wrap Up

To B or Not To B (Lab) Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

Today, the idea that business can be a force for good is mainstream…but it wasn’t always that way. The early pioneers, including host Carol Cone, invested and contributed to the creation of Business for Social Responsibility, a sustainable business network and consultancy focused on creating a world in which all people can thrive on a healthy planet, in 1992. Fourteen years later, three college friends launched a new movement: one that would transform the global economy through a standards and certification process designed to benefit all stakeholders.

This was the launch of B Lab, the nonprofit organization that sets the standards for and certifies businesses driving an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. These businesses make up the B Corporation movement – distinguished by their special “B” logo.

We invited Eleanor Allen, B Lab’s new Lead Executive, who has taken the reins from its original founders to speak to the present and future of both B Lab and B Corps.

Listen for insights on:

What B Corp certification is and why your company should pursue it
The future for B Corp certification standards
Why large, publicly traded companies are becoming B Corps
How B Lab’s tools can help companies evaluate their ESG performance without applying for certification

Resources + Links:

(00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) - B Lab • Eleanor Allen
(03:02) - Eleanor's Background
(04:41) - Advice
(06:28) - What Is a B Corp
(07:53) - B Corp Community
(08:46) - Mainstream?
(09:42) - B Impact Assessment
(11:26) - Benefits
(13:17) - Best Practice Sharing in the Community
(14:38) - Common Questions
(15:20) - Standouts
(18:00) - Demand
(19:12) - Rollout Duration
(20:10) - Response
(22:17) - Evolution
(23:02) - 10 Year Vision
(24:40) - Advice
(26:32) - Why Become a B Corp?
(28:10) - Wrap Up

Once a Warrior, Now a Social Entrepreneur Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

“You have to have a bias for action in the world if you want to do your part to make it a better place.”

—Jake Wood

Jake Wood’s “bias for action” is indisputable: after graduating from college, he joined the Marine Corps and served two years overseas. His return to civilian life wasn’t easy. Like many veterans, Jake was faced with a loss in structure, purpose, and sense of impact. After a close friend and fellow veteran committed suicide, Jake founded non-profit Team Rubicon with a dual purpose: (1) to serve global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises, and (2) to reintegrate veterans into civilian life through opportunities to utilize military training for communities in need.

Ten years later, Jake welcomed his second daughter, who required surgery shortly after she was born, into the world. The experience sparked a new idea to empower more people to have a greater impact and sense of purpose. In 2021, Jake co-founded Groundswell, a corporate philanthropy platform that allows you to “give like Gates, be taxed like Warren Buffet, and be recognized like Rockefeller.”

We invited Jake to lead us through his purpose journey, from creating social entrepreneurship ventures to the impact your company can make through them.

Listen for insights on:

What to expect from venture investors
How companies can support and enable employees in their philanthropic giving
How employee-driven corporate donations drive better business outcomes
Advice for pursuing greater impact through social entrepreneurism

Resources + Links:

(00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) - Jake Wood • Groundswell
(01:30) - Jake's Personal Purpose
(02:32) - Evolving Purpose
(04:00) - Team Rubicon
(06:49) - Helping Veterans
(09:19) - Creating Groundswell
(12:12) - Structure
(13:37) - Elements of Groundswell
(17:19) - Response
(18:17) - Example
(19:52) - Philanthropy Trends
(20:41) - Inspiration
(21:32) - Insights
(23:01) - Empathy and Love in Leadership
(24:02) - Last Word
(24:44) - Wrap Up

Extending the ESG and CSR Strategy with ACCP Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

As the economy pressures companies to tighten their budgets, more ESG and CSR leaders are having to prove why their initiatives should remain a priority. Claims of “woke capitalism” from political leaders and a lack of internal consensus on ESG’s importance only complicate the situation.

ESG and CSR leaders are not alone, though. For 18 years, the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) has provided a network of support and resources to help professionals advocate for investment in ESG/CSR initiatives. ACCP cultivates inclusive peer communities to help members create a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous society through corporate commitments.

To share more about ACCP’s work – and the state of ESG and CSR today – we invited Carolyn Berkowitz, President and CEO at ACCP, to the show.

Listen for insights on:

The difference between ESG and CSR
How to help educate colleagues in different departments about the importance of ESG/CSR
How to measure the “S” in ESG and extend it to corporate strategy
When companies should publicly engage in ESG issues
The skills needed for CSR employees today

Resources + Links:

(00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) - Carolyn Berkowitz • ACCP
(01:16) - Carolyn's Background
(02:00) - Who Is ACCP?
(02:26) - Generosity
(03:34) - Why Become a Member?
(05:21) - CSR and ESG
(08:47) - Who's Doing It Well
(14:16) - Challenges
(16:12) - Dealing With 2023
(20:20) - Measure the S
(22:34) - Employee Turnover Metrics
(24:35) - DEI
(27:37) - Dealing with Woke Capitalism
(30:35) - Communication Practices
(31:43) - Skills
(33:53) - Last Thoughts
(34:41) - Wrap Up

A Look at ESG Post-Davos with Martin Whittaker Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

“The world today is at a critical inflection point. The sheer number of ongoing crises calls for bold collective action.”

The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting at Davos convened CEOs from around the world to discuss global business challenges and identify forward-looking strategies for the years ahead. With the week-long convening over, it’s time for the real work to commence: putting what was discussed into action.

We invited Martin Whittaker, CEO of JUST Capital, to address what conversations from Davos will mean for ESG in 2023.

Listen for insights on:

Why ESG measurement will be critical for business success and growth
What AI and machine learning mean fo the future of work
How ESG and politics will come into play in 2023

Resources + Links:

(00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) - Martin Whittaker Post Davos
(02:22) - Martin and Just Capital
(03:44) - Davos Then and Now
(06:27) - Just Capital on Site
(07:59) - Major Changes
(09:08) - How Do You Know the Plan Is Working?
(11:00) - Key Discussion Points
(13:27) - Environment
(16:43) - Technology and AI
(18:26) - The Mood
(19:45) - Global Standards
(22:40) - Last Thoughts on Davos
(23:37) - Just Capital in 2023
(25:13) - Wrap Up

A Force for Growth and Good with P&G Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

Traditional advertising is transactional. But that’s not the case at Procter & Gamble.

At P&G, advertising goes beyond presenting a product and its benefits to consumers. Instead, P&G uses advertising as a medium for mass storytelling, with the objective of both deepening the public’s understanding of social issues and informing them on the role they can play. This supports transformative change: broadening perspectives and igniting a drive to make change. Don’t believe us? Watch “It’s Our Home.” These stories don’t (just) sell products – they build relationships and spark change.

We invited Damon Jones, Chief Communications Officer at Procter & Gamble, back to Purpose 360 to talk about how P&G leverages storytelling to drive change for the environment and society. Behind the ads are programs that invest in underrepresented communities, products that enable consumers to create positive change, and platforms that foster empathy and understanding.

Listen for more insights on:

The difference between investing in research and consumer understanding.
How to respond to current events with meaningful, substantive, and measured commitments.
How to authentically integrate products into issue-driven marketing and advertising campaigns.
Why a company’s actions matter more than headlines.

Resources + Links:

(00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) - Damon Jones • P&G
(03:46) - Meet Damon
(05:09) - His Role and Team
(06:22) - Leading During Covid
(10:06) - Partnership Pivots
(11:50) - Consumer Understanding (Research)
(14:13) - The Talk
(17:31) - Fullness of Their Humanity
(18:37) - New Initiatives
(21:09) - Working Relationship with Mark
(23:29) - Moving to Purpose
(25:08) - Other Brands
(28:30) - Selling a Relationship
(29:24) - Innovation
(32:26) - Period Poverty
(35:35) - Citizenship Report
(37:15) - Damon's "Why"
(38:14) - Recruiting
(39:55) - Sources of Inspiration
(41:12) - Final Thoughts
(42:24) - Wrap Up

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