Purpose 360 with Carol Cone

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Johnson & Johnson is changing the trajectory of human health Jul 17, 2019

Show notes

Since 1943, global health powerhouse Johnson & Johnson has been guided by a simple credo. You wouldn’t think that something etched in stone (literally) could help a multi-billion-dollar brand navigate decades of changing consumer needs, drastic shifts in healthcare, and turbulent global markets—but it has. That’s because Johnson & Johnson doesn’t just dust off the credo now and then—the company lives it every single day.

Michael Sneed, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs & Chief Communication Officer at Johnson & Johnson, joined Purpose 360 to share how the company’s behaviors and beliefs shape culture, empower employees, drive bold innovation, and guide the enterprise in navigating setbacks. Sneed expands on the intricate link between its legendary credo and Johnson & Johnson’s recently-developed purpose: to blend heart, science, & ingenuity to change the trajectory of human health.

Listen for Michael’s insights on:

How employees from around the world collaborated to craft Johnson & Johnson’s authentic purpose
How management is kept accountable by bi-annual employee surveys, which essentially grade leadership how well they guide the company in living its credo
How Johnson & Johnson’s purpose is challenging the company in innovation and risk-taking—after all, changing the trajectory of human health is a big task!

General Motors is moving humanity forward Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

Zero Zero Zero: zero emissions, zero crashes and zero congestion. This profound goal is CEO Mary Barra’s approach to reinventing General Motors for today, tomorrow, and the next 100 years.

Few industries have evolved as rapidly (and sometimes turbulently) as the automotive industry. In its 100-year history, GM has faced challenges, both internal (faulty ignition switches) and external (the recession). Yet today, the company is thriving. That’s in large part to Barra’s commitment to evolve GM’s culture, influence purpose-driven behaviors, and phase out processes that don’t support the company’s evolution.

In this episode, Tony Cervone, SVP of Global Communications, shares how GM’s commitment to “moving humanity forward” acts as a north star for the company to chart a bold and innovative path forward for not just GM, but the automotive industry as a whole.

Listen for Tony’s insights on:

Using GM’s purpose and Zero Zero Zero commitment as filters for decision-making at all levels of the company.
Balancing a parent company’s purpose with its consumer-facing brands in an authentic way.
Shifting company culture by re-shaping company character and values, and equipping employees with the tools necessary to adopt them.

Resources + links

Reshaping the Role of Business at CECP Jun 11, 2019

Show notes

Roving reporter Carol Cone spoke with leaders in social purpose at the CECP (Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose) Summit last month. A global convening of 300+ of the world’s top minds in purpose, this year’s Summit addressed growing societal and stakeholder expectations that companies serve a purpose beyond profit. Catch a behind-the-scenes “listen” into the Summit in this special episode of Purpose 360.

Resources:

• CECP – Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose
• CECP Summit

(01:02) - Lord Dr. Michael Hastings
(11:18) - Douglas Conant

Pete and Gerry’s wants you to believe in what you buy May 28, 2019

Show notes

Happy chickens are Pete and Gerry’s north star.

You’ve likely seen the organic egg brand in your local supermarket dairy aisle. And if you haven’t tried the eggs, add them to your shopping list.

Pete and Gerry’s, through a network of 40+ independent family farmers, produces free-range, organic, Certified Humane® eggs. Passed down through three generations, the enterprise puts the health of its hens—and its customers—above all else. In this episode, CEO Jesse Laflamme shares the Pete and Gerry’s story and how purpose helped the company navigate shifting consumer-food relationships, the rise of factory farming, and animal welfare challenges.

RESOURCES:

CVS Health follows a profound purpose prescription May 07, 2019

Show notes

Would you sacrifice more than a billion dollars in sales to do the right thing for people’s health and wellness? That’s the decision CVS Health made in 2014 when the company removed tobacco products from all stores nationwide.

CVS made this decision because selling tobacco products was at odds with its vision to become a healthcare company with the distinct purpose to help people on their path to better health. Eileen Howard Boone, SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility & Philanthropy at CVS Health and President, CVS Health Foundation, joined Purpose 360 to talk about this bold decision as well as the company’s focused approach to social impact and how their compelling purpose drives the company forward.

Listen for Eileen’s insights on:

The “extraordinary courage” behind the decision to remove tobacco products—and how that decision was made
Finding an authentic purpose, and then leveraging it to lead change in the rapidly-evolving and increasingly competitive healthcare industry
Finding mission-driven partners and building sustainable, long-term relationships
Merging social impact commitments following CVS Health’s acquisition of Aetna

Resources + links

More than a quack: the story behind Aflac’s big heart Apr 30, 2019

Show notes

You probably know the Aflac Duck, but do you know the company behind it? Catherine Hernandez-Blades, Aflac’s SVP, Chief ESG and Communications Officer, joined Purpose 360 to share how Aflac deftly manages reputation in a volatile world and bestowed a new social purpose on its beloved mascot.

As a cancer insurance pioneer, Aflac has a now 24-year, $131M commitment to childhood cancer. Two years ago (in partnership with Carol), the company evolved and deepened that commitment by creating My Special Aflac Duck, a social robot and comforting companion for children with cancer. That duck, designed through 18 months of child-centered research at a leading U.S. pediatric cancer center, is now in the arms of 4,000+ children in the U.S., is the recipient of nearly 20 awards, has 4 patents pending, and is soon set to debut in Japan.

Listen to hear Catherine’s insights on the My Special Aflac Duck journey, as well as:

Aflac’s shift from the “Four Ps” to the “Four Es” – environment, engagement, experience, and exchange
Why doing good is no longer enough to connect with stakeholders and attract the best talent
The key to keeping long-term cause commitments relevant, engaging, and impactful

Resources + links

Saving the Earth, one load at a time Apr 23, 2019

Show notes

This Earth Day, we’re joined by Jonathan Propper, Founder and CEO of Dropps. He’s the maverick behind the original laundry pod, and has guided Dropps to a number of firsts, including eliminating detergent dyes and adding bittering agents to deter children from eating pods.
Behind all that innovation is a desire to create a healthier Earth. Laundry isn’t going away (as much as we wish it would!), and the ways in which we consume products is becoming more critical. As a social enterprise, Dropps has, from day one, focused on making an everyday chore more sustainable—while raising awareness for how our purchasing choices can impact society and the environment.
Listen for Jonathan’s insights on:

Building a business that helps the Earth without sacrificing convenience, quality, or price
Leveraging purpose to navigate industry challenges and increasing competition
Creating purpose-built, purpose-driven products—and constantly innovating on them

Resources + links

Exploring United Way Worldwide’s digital disruption Apr 16, 2019

Show notes

United Way isn’t new—but it’s creating a new way for NGOs to engage with people around the world through technology.

William Browning, United Way Worldwide’s Chief of Digital Transformation and Technology, joined Purpose 360 to talk about the organization’s shift from transactional to transformational.

As the world’s largest privately-funded nonprofit, United Way’s scope is vast: 2.9 million volunteers, 10 million donors, and 60 million people served in 2017. Now, the legacy organization is adopting an entrepreneurial mindset to reinvent the dynamic between nonprofits, issues, communities, and employers.

Listen for William’s insights on:

Remaining relevant (as a 130-year-old organization) in a world rife with pressing social issues
How United Way and Salesforce teamed to create an all-new technology platform, Philanthropy Cloud
United Way’s business-minded, customer-centric approach to transforming how employers and employees give at work

Resources + links

Connecting the Salesforce “Ohana” through a pioneering model Apr 09, 2019

Show notes

Are you tapping every opportunity to draw power from your organizational culture? In this episode, Henk Campher, VP Brand and Communications at Salesforce, shares insights from a company that challenges its people and customers to do good, especially in the face of challenges.

It starts with putting Ohana – Hawaiian for “family” – at the center of Salesforce’s purpose journey. For the company, Ohana includes employees, customers and other stakeholders, and requires focus and the ability to face uncomfortable decisions head-on. With more than 150,000 customers and $10 billion in revenue in 2018, Salesforce is a testament to the power of purpose and collective storytelling.

This trailblazing mentality matches Henk’s lifelong goal to never be bored. You won’t be, either, as this activist-turned-business leader talks about:

How simplifying operations can amplify impact
What an activist approach to problems can bring to the business world
How to stay focused on purpose using hard data from customers and employees

Don’t miss the candid thoughts from our favorite “angry African” on what it takes to bring people together as a purposeful family, change the world, and have fun along the way.

Resources + links

The Aflac Duck goes to Austin! Stories of Impact at SxSW Apr 04, 2019

Show notes

Carol tagged along with her roving reporter — My Special Aflac Duck — to South by Southwest in Austin earlier this month. Together, they celebrated the success of the duck as a finalist for the best invention award.

This week, we offer a special bonus episode in which you can learn more about My Special Aflac Duck and hear stories of impact as Aflac works to put the duck in the arms of more kids around the world.

Links and Resources

See My Special Aflac Duck in action at The Aflac Childhood Cancer Campaign™

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