Business & Society with Senthil Nathan

Senthil Nathan
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Inspiring and thought-provoking conversations with eminent thinkers and sustainability leaders about business in society. Hosted by Senthil Nathan, Chief Executive of Fairtrade Australia New Zealand.

  1. #36 Above All Price: Rethinking Dignity at Work with Kristen Lucas

    JAN 29

    #36 Above All Price: Rethinking Dignity at Work with Kristen Lucas

    In this episode of the Business and Society podcast, Senthil is joined by Dr. Kristen Lucas, Professor of Management at the University of Louisville and one of the leading scholars on workplace dignity. Drawing on her personal background and decades of research, Kristen explains what dignity at work really means—beyond the absence of bullying—and how it connects to people’s sense of self-worth, competence, and contribution. She traces the evolution of dignity from its philosophical roots to its lived reality in today’s organizations, and reflects on how inequality, instrumentality, and disrespect continue to threaten dignity, particularly for low-wage and frontline workers. The conversation also explores why dignity matters for leaders and organizations right now, especially amid rapid changes driven by AI, global economic pressures, and shifting labor markets. Kristen shares practical insights on how communication, empathy, and everyday managerial behaviors can either undermine or strengthen dignity at work—and why investing in dignity pays off through higher engagement, creativity, and retention. The episode closes with concrete steps leaders can take to assess and improve dignity in their workplaces, along with recommended readings for anyone wanting to go deeper into this often-overlooked but essential dimension of work. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

    36 min
  2. #35 Women, Work, and Power: Inside Patriarchy, Inc. with Cordelia Fine

    JAN 9

    #35 Women, Work, and Power: Inside Patriarchy, Inc. with Cordelia Fine

    In this episode, Senthil speaks with Professor Cordelia Fine about women in the workplace and the ideas behind her new book Patriarchy, Inc. They explore how gender norms, power, and status shape modern work, why the “business case” for gender equality can fall short, and what real workplace reform could look like. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

    55 min
  3. #34 Dark Patterns: How Design Nudges Become Exploits with Marie Potel

    12/18/2025

    #34 Dark Patterns: How Design Nudges Become Exploits with Marie Potel

    This episode of Business and Society unpacks “dark patterns” – deceptive design features in apps and websites that push people into actions they never intended, such as unwanted subscriptions, extra fees, oversharing data, or staying online longer than planned. Guest Marie Potel, founder of Fair Patterns, explains that these patterns are fundamentally different from normal marketing because they exploit cognitive biases and obscure critical information, undermining user autonomy, distorting competition, and even posing risks to democracy when people are trained to click “I agree” without thinking.​ Marie and Senthil discuss concrete cases like fake urgency in travel and hotel booking, and Amazon’s multi‑billion‑dollar settlement over Prime sign‑ups and cancellations, before turning to solutions. Marie outlines how Fair Patterns uses ethical AI and a Figma plugin to detect and replace dark patterns with transparent “fair patterns,” and argues that fair, plain‑language design not only reduces legal risk but also builds trust and can drive higher long‑term growth for companies that adopt it. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

    38 min
  4. #33 How Sustainability Fuels New Business Models with Ivanka Visnjic

    12/08/2025

    #33 How Sustainability Fuels New Business Models with Ivanka Visnjic

    In this episode of the Business and Society podcast, host Senthil speaks with Dr Ivanka Visnjic, Professor of Innovation at ESADE Business School, about how companies can unlock opportunities at the intersection of sustainability and innovation. Drawing from her research and fieldwork across global industries, Ivanka explains why sustainability should be treated as a transformation challenge, not a compliance exercise—one that requires the same capabilities that fuel innovation: long-term vision, experimentation, and ecosystem collaboration. Through examples from Enel, Holcim, Suzano, Gore-Tex, and others, she illustrates how pioneering firms are turning sustainability goals into new business models, services, and markets. Ivanka also discusses the organizational shifts required to align sustainability with performance, the role of cross-sector partnerships in tackling “hard-to-abate” sectors, and why ambidexterity—the ability to balance short- and long-term priorities—is a defining skill for leaders today. In the final segment, Ivanka reflects on how she manages differences of opinion, the essential leadership skills for the new era of business transformation, and her favorite book on climate and innovation. She also offers a preview of her upcoming book on how companies can rewire themselves to meet sustainability ambitions through innovation and collaboration. A conversation rich with insight and practical examples, this episode explores how strategy meets society—and why the path to sustainability might just be the next great frontier for corporate renewal. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

    38 min
  5. #32 Corporate Philanthropy: Trends, Challenges, and Emerging Priorities with Dario Soto Abril

    11/24/2025

    #32 Corporate Philanthropy: Trends, Challenges, and Emerging Priorities with Dario Soto Abril

    In this episode, Senthil speaks with Dario Soto-Abril, Executive Director of the Trafigura Foundation, about how corporate philanthropy is shifting toward catalytic, risk-tolerant funding that supports climate adaptation and community resilience. Drawing on his global career, Dario explains what sets corporate philanthropy apart—its ability to leverage business resources for public good while prioritizing innovation, additionality, and strong community partnerships. He also highlights why adaptation remains severely underfunded and shares examples of how technology, including predictive tools and AI, is helping organizations act earlier and more effectively in vulnerable regions. Dario addresses critiques surrounding the tension between a company’s carbon-intensive legacy and its philanthropic commitments, noting that companies can be both part of today’s energy system and significant investors in the technologies of tomorrow. He closes by reflecting on leadership—approaching disagreements with curiosity, asking better questions, making clear decisions, and valuing soft skills such as listening, humility, and learning from mistakes. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

    34 min
  6. #31: Sustainability or Strain? EUDR’s Ripple Effect on Coffee Farmers with Etelle Higonnet

    09/18/2025

    #31: Sustainability or Strain? EUDR’s Ripple Effect on Coffee Farmers with Etelle Higonnet

    This episode of the Business and Society podcast features a conversation with Etelle Higonnet, founder of Coffee Watch, Yale alumna, and renowned environmental activist. The discussion centers on the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and its profound implications for smallholder coffee farmers worldwide. Main Topics Covered EUDR Impact: The episode explains the intent and scope of EUDR, emphasizing how the regulation aims to halt deforestation linked to key commodities—especially coffee—and the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in meeting new compliance demands. Coffee Supply Chain Realities: Listeners gain insight into poverty, labor exploitation, and the systemic issues affecting coffee growers, with Etelle breaking down statistics and stories from global coffee farming communities. Activism and Solutions: The importance of activism in driving policy change is highlighted, alongside hope-filled examples of collaboration between NGOs, governments, and industry to foster transparency, traceability, and a transition to regenerative, farmer-centric coffee production. Key Guest Insights Etelle discusses the broader context of global poverty, biodiversity loss, and climate change, making the case for urgent reforms and a science-based approach to business leadership. The episode candidly addresses obstacles such as land tenure, literacy, and technological access for smallholders, while exploring the possibility for creative solutions and capacity building. Etelle shares concerns around compliance burdens for marginalized groups and suggests that regulatory action like the EUDR can be a catalyst for industry-wide transformation. Closing Reflections The interview concludes with Etelle’s book recommendations, essential leadership skills—courage and scientific literacy—and a call to action for business leaders to champion responsible sourcing and planetary well-being. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

    1h 1m
  7. #30 Remote Work: Does Working from Home Work? with Nick Bloom

    09/04/2025

    #30 Remote Work: Does Working from Home Work? with Nick Bloom

    In this episode, Senthil sits with Professor Nick Bloom of Stanford University to discuss the evolution, research, and future of remote, hybrid, and in-person work. Drawing from global data and his landmark Trip.com study, Nick explains why hybrid models now dominate professional work, how work-from-home trends differ across countries and industries, and their impacts on productivity, innovation, and employee wellbeing. The conversation highlights the importance of coordinated hybrid schedules and the shifting nature of workplace equity, while offering a data-driven perspective for business leaders and policymakers navigating the changing world of work. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

    48 min
  8. #29 The World's Most Complex Market?: Understanding Consumer India with Rama Bijapurkar

    08/18/2025

    #29 The World's Most Complex Market?: Understanding Consumer India with Rama Bijapurkar

    In this episode of the Business and Society podcast, Senthil delves into the complexities of the Indian consumer market with renowned market expert and author Rama Bijapurkar. Drawing from four decades of research, Rama outlines the transformational journey of India's consumer economy—from pre-liberalization austerity to the explosion of choices and rising competition after 1991. The discussion highlights the unique nature of the Indian market, the enduring relevance of kirana (mom-and-pop) stores despite predictions of modern retail dominance, and the myth of the middle class. Rama explains why Western business models often fail in India, the nuanced urban-rural divide, women's evolving roles in consumption, and the impact of digital technology. Tangible insights for entrepreneurs abound, stressing the necessity of careful segmentation and understanding local market logic. The episode closes with practical advice for business leaders and personal reflections on books and learning, making it essential listening for anyone interested in India's consumer landscape. You can learn more about Rama's work by visiting her website: www.ramabijapurkar.com. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

    1h 10m
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Inspiring and thought-provoking conversations with eminent thinkers and sustainability leaders about business in society. Hosted by Senthil Nathan, Chief Executive of Fairtrade Australia New Zealand.

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