169 episodes

Business is an unlikely hero: a force for good working to solve society's most pressing challenges, while boosting bottom line. This is social purpose at work. And it's a dynamic journey. Purpose 360 is a masterclass in unlocking the power of social purpose to ignite business and social impact. Host Carol Cone brings decades of social impact expertise and a 360-degree view of integrating social purpose into an organization into unfiltered conversations that illuminate today's big challenges and bigger ideas.

Purpose 360 TruStory FM

    • Business
    • 4.7 • 20 Ratings

Business is an unlikely hero: a force for good working to solve society's most pressing challenges, while boosting bottom line. This is social purpose at work. And it's a dynamic journey. Purpose 360 is a masterclass in unlocking the power of social purpose to ignite business and social impact. Host Carol Cone brings decades of social impact expertise and a 360-degree view of integrating social purpose into an organization into unfiltered conversations that illuminate today's big challenges and bigger ideas.

    IBM is Making the World Work Better

    IBM is Making the World Work Better

    As technology continues to redefine industries and jobs, IBM is a beacon of progress, driven by a purpose to be a catalyst that makes the world work better. Through flagship initiatives like the SkillsBuild program, IBM is arming both internal and external workers with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in today's economy. By fostering opportunities for upskilling and reskilling, IBM not only bolsters individual employability but also empowers individuals to pursue career paths previously out of reach.
    Justina Nixon-Saintil is one example of the transformative power of continuous learning. Initially an engineer and then an educator, Justina today serves as IBM's Vice President and Chief Impact Officer — so she knows a thing or two about reskilling and adaptation. We invited Justina to share how IBM is setting a standard for corporate responsibility through employee volunteering, skills development, and the Sustainability Accelerator, which has been heralded as a blueprint for corporate responsibility.
    Listen for insights on:
    Activating employee volunteers through their skills and passionsAdvancing in or getting started with your sustainability careerCreating an infrastructure that evaluates the internal and external ethical use of AIResources + Links:
    Justina Nixon-Saintil’s LinkedInIBM is skilling 30 million people globally by 2030IBM SkillsBuildIBM Sustainability Accelerator
    (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
    (00:13) - IBM's Justina Nixon-Saintil
    (02:23) - Justina’s Background
    (05:37) - Engineer to CIO
    (08:25) - Insights with Gap Time
    (10:36) - IBM’s Purpose Statement
    (11:46) - Volunteerism
    (13:57) - SkillsBuild
    (18:11) - IBM Sustainability Accelerator
    (26:12) - Impact Measurement
    (27:25) - Future of AI for Social Impact
    (31:03) - Suggestions for Careers in Social Impact
    (33:21) - Recommendations
    (34:41) - Last Word
    (36:04) - Wrap Up

    • 37 min
    Exploring the 2024 JUST 100 Rankings

    Exploring the 2024 JUST 100 Rankings

    How do we identify the companies that are truly "good?” We might look through their sustainability reports or tally up the awards they've received, but finding an answer is rarely simple—and it can depend on a range of factors, from how companies treat their employees to whether they practice sound governance.
    JUST Capital is at the forefront of this work. A non-profit organization dedicated to aligning corporate behavior with the values of the American public, JUST Capital releases its highly anticipated "100 Most JUST Companies" list each year to spotlight the businesses that prioritize their workers, communities, customers, the environment, and shareholders and governance over profit alone.
    Martin Whittaker, CEO of JUST Capital, returns to Purpose 360 to explore the recently released 2024 rankings, shedding light on what matters most to Americans today and what distinguishes the most “just” companies from all the rest.
    Listen for insights on:
    The American public’s three most important issuesWhy “just” companies lead in financial performanceThe methodology behind the JUST 100Resources + Links:
    Martin Whittaker’s LinkedInThe 2024 JUST 100Contact JUST CapitalThe Case for Purpose
    (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
    (00:13) - Just Capital • Martin Whittaker
    (01:50) - Martin’s Background
    (03:28) - The JUST 100
    (07:31) - Query Numbers
    (08:49) - Core Issues
    (11:10) - Governance
    (12:07) - HPE
    (14:06) - CEO Leadership
    (15:22) - Hard Results
    (17:16) - Surprises
    (17:53) - Other Stories
    (18:53) - Best Practices
    (20:38) - Responsible Business
    (22:07) - 5 Years
    (25:11) - Last Words
    (26:25) - Wrap Up

    • 27 min
    Challenging the DEI Status Quo with Margaret Spence

    Challenging the DEI Status Quo with Margaret Spence

    Having a diverse and inclusive workplace makes good business sense, but the truth is that we're stuck at an impasse. Companies are so focused on how many people from different backgrounds they employ that they’re missing the point. It’s not about the numbers. It's about ensuring that every individual is equitably woven into the fabric of the organization and has opportunities to advance and thrive.
    We invited Margaret Spence, an advocate for transformative change in the DEI landscape, to elaborate on where companies currently stand with DEI and what needs to change. With a commitment to challenging the status quo, questioning barriers, and leading inclusively, Margaret offers a compelling vision. Her expertise extends beyond rhetoric, by proving that DEI is not just a checkbox but an ongoing commitment.
    Listen for insights on:
    Recommended data points for tracking DEI success and impactHow being entrenched in the status quo can obstruct inclusionNavigating bias and inclusion challenges as a person of colorResources + Links:
    Margaret Spence’s LinkedInAbout Margaret SpenceEmployee to CEO Action ProjectThe Inclusion Learning LabInclusion Unscripted Podcast
    (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
    (00:13) - Margaret Spence
    (02:47) - Margaret’s Background
    (06:28) - Personal Purpose
    (08:30) - Inclusion Lab
    (11:30) - DEI
    (16:42) - Examples Doing DEI Well
    (18:07) - Growth and Barriers
    (24:15) - Employee to CEO Project
    (25:58) - Inclusion Lab
    (28:14) - Cohorts
    (29:01) - Measurement
    (31:07) - Recommendations
    (33:51) - Looking to the Future of DEI
    (37:36) - Last Thoughts

    • 41 min
    Designing a Sustainable Fashion Future with Rothy’s

    Designing a Sustainable Fashion Future with Rothy’s

    The fashion industry is continuing to undergo crucial transformations. With the environmental toll of fast fashion evident, consumers are demanding more from the brands they love: top-notch quality, enduring designs, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability.
    Rothy’s, a direct-to-consumer shoes and accessories brand, is leader in this shift. At the heart of Rothy's success is a revolutionary approach to sustainability that combines innovative materials, a zero-waste factory, and no-waste manufacturing practices. Each pair of shoes is crafted not only for style and comfort but designed to minimize its ecological footprint. Rothy's takes it a step further by prioritizing longevity, ensuring their products are designed for long-term use. For products that do reach their end-of-life point, Rothy’s encourages a sustainable life cycle through a recycling program, using well-worn shoes to create new products.
    We invited Dayna Quanbeck, President of Rothy’s—but Chief Operating Officer and Chief Finance Officer at the time of recording—to explain how the company is helping consumers understand the harmony between fashion and environmental responsibility. As we step into a future that demands both, Rothy's will continue the way with style and sustainability.
    Listen for insights on:
    Revolutionizing the use of unconventional materials like plastic bottles and algaeChallenging consumer perceptions of eco-friendly materialsMaking consumers your product championsIncorporating advocacy into a company’s impactResources + Links:
    Dayna Quanbeck’s LinkedInHow Rothy’s Makes Its ShoesHow Rothy’s Calculates Its Sustainability ImpactGive a Dime About PlasticRothy’s Recycling Program
    (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
    (00:13) - Rothy's
    (01:18) - Dayna’s Backstory
    (05:45) - Shifting Toward Stylish and Comfortable
    (07:04) - Three Pillars of Sustainability
    (11:11) - Production Journey
    (13:59) - Learning from Feedback
    (14:54) - Programs
    (17:24) - Give a Dime About Plastic
    (19:27) - Plastic Innovation
    (20:56) - Sustainability Council
    (21:48) - Future of Circular Fashion
    (22:58) - Customer Stories
    (26:08) - Recommendations
    (27:52) - Wrap Up

    • 29 min
    “We Aren’t Waiting to Inherit the World” Part 2

    “We Aren’t Waiting to Inherit the World” Part 2

    COP is a pivotal moment for United Nations members, politicians, and business leaders to gauge progress in tackling climate change and chart a course for action. At COP 28 this past December, a new group came to the forefront. Youth from around the world finally secured a seat at the decision-making table and were embraced more prominently than ever before.
    This generation sets itself apart through a commitment to causes that matter, as well as its emergence as leaders that look beyond the needs of just their organizations or cause, focusing on impact for the world as a whole.
    Four remarkable One Young World Ambassadors are part of this transformative group of young leaders. In the second half of this two-part series, host Carol Cone welcomes Kehkashan Basu of Green Hope Foundation and Mavis Durowaa Mainu of OAK Foundation, who both deliver a clear message: that the youth of today are not waiting for change, they are propelling it.
    Resources + Links:
    Kehkashan Basu’s LinkedInMavis Durowaa Mainu’s LinkedInGreen Hope FoundationOAK FoundationOne Young World
    (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
    (00:13) - One Young World Ambassadors Part 2
    (02:02) - Mavis’s Background
    (05:30) - Kehkashan’s Background
    (09:22) - COP 28
    (29:07) - Last Thoughts
    (31:34) - Wrap Up

    • 33 min
    “We Aren’t Waiting to Inherit the World” Part 1

    “We Aren’t Waiting to Inherit the World” Part 1

    COP is a pivotal moment for United Nations members, politicians, and business leaders to gauge progress in tackling climate change and chart a course for action. At COP 28 this past December, a new group came to the forefront. Youth from around the world finally secured a seat at the decision-making table and were embraced more prominently than ever before.

    This generation sets itself apart through a commitment to causes that matter, as well as its emergence as leaders that look beyond the needs of just their organizations or cause, focusing on impact for the world as a whole.

    Four remarkable One Young World Ambassadors are part of this transformative group of young leaders. In the first half of this two-part series, host Carol Cone welcomes Anna Stanley-Radière of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Enkhuun Byambadorj of Breathe Mongolia—Clean Air Coalition, who both deliver a clear message: that the youth of today are not waiting for change, they are propelling it.

    Resources + Links:
    Anna Stanley-Radière’s LinkedInEnkhuun Byambadorj’s LinkedInWorld Business Council for Sustainable DevelopmentBreathe Mongolia—Clean Air CoalitionOne Young World
    (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
    (00:13) - COP 28: One Young World Ambassadors (Environment)
    (02:54) - Backgrounds
    (06:33) - Initial Spark
    (08:53) - One Young World
    (11:44) - Secret Sauce
    (13:27) - COP 28
    (21:06) - Dubai
    (27:02) - Last Thoughts
    (32:31) - Wrap Up

    • 34 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
20 Ratings

20 Ratings

Ferryla ,

Interesting, insightful - best podcast on business and purpose

As a practitioner for over 25 years this is my go-to podcast for the latest information and expertise on business and purpose. Carol interviews leading experts with both knowledge and real-world application of the foundational tenants of purpose and business. She has been a leading voice on this topic for decades and an advisor to corporate executives globally. I highly recommend making this a regular listen on your podcast schedule.

Sesalerno ,

Must listen for purpose and social impact biz

This is a must listen podcast for anyone in the social impact space and business leaders looking for guidance on infusing purpose into business strategy. Brava Carol and team!

KristianHDM ,

Fountain of Knowledge

What’s great about this show is the sheer volume of information you can learn in a single episode about the individuals, organizations and causes they care about. Delivered in a causal, yet well-prepared and entertaining way, Purpose 360 is a must for any change maker seeking to learn more about some of the most influential corporate and nonprofit purpose-driven efforts of our time.

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