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Social Impact
Social Impact
Corporate Social Responsibility + Fulbright Scholarships
What’s happening? A Fulbright scholarship has been awarded to “San Diego State University accounting professor Victoria Krivogorsky notes, companies and their managers nowadays are expected to create value for society as a whole, paying heed to broader concerns that range from environmental pollution and carbon footprints to overcrowded highways and impacts on residents of surrounding communities.”
Why is this important? People are paying attention.
How will this be important? The first line from this press release: “For most public corporations, the days of concentrating solely on their shareholders’ interests in maximizing profits are long gone.”
SDSU | Accounting Professor Wins Fulbright Grant for Research in Austria
Legos for Everyone
What’s happening? Lego is removing all gender labeling from its boxes. As a person who does not like labels, this is fantastic. As a person who loves Legos, not only because Legos are from a Scandinavian country, but because building things is cool, this is amazing news! Let kids build whatever they want.
Why is this important? let’s hear from Legos: “Despite the progress made in girls brushing off prejudice at an early age, general attitudes surrounding play and creative careers remain unequal and restrictive.”
How will this be important? “Girls today feel increasingly confident to engage in all types of play and creative activities, but remain held back by society’s ingrained gender stereotypes as they grow older.”
Non Gendered Toy Aisle Legislation
What’s happening? AB 1084 (2021 | CA) calls for gender de-identified retail toy aisles.
Why is this important? Look, when I was born in Belgium, as a CIS female I was swaddled up in blue and my CIS brother was swaddled up in pink. I liked legos. He liked legos. He could have also liked a wooden bakeshop and I could have liked trains. Just mix it up and let them play with whatever.
How will this be important? The bill does not prohibit boys toys and girls toy aisles too.
L.A. Wants to Improve its Relationship with Indigenous Ways
What is happening? L.A. Mayor is moving forward with policy initiatives to ” to right historical wrongs and rectify the city’s relationship with its Indigenous people.” This includes renaming parks, updating the city’s seal and flag to include Indigenous representation, renaming the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway, and issuing a formal apology to tribes.
Why is this important? To hear indigenous voices, the city will grant develop a cultural easement that will grant tribal members priority access to the park for traditional ceremonies.
How will this be important? The historical actions of priests at Missions is booming a flash point that has resulted in the toppling of statues of the priests.
Improve Employee Resiliency with Respect
What’s happening? A study from Kansas State Univeristy published in the International Journal of Business Communication , shows that bosses who are respectful to their employees produce employees that like their jobs more and are more resilient.
Why is this important? Not all leaders have gotten the message that respect fosters happier and more resilient employees
How will this be important? ” Putting up with gruffness from bosses isn’t young employees “paying their dues” professionally. It’s bosses undermining their teams’ ability to perform at their best. “
Following the Response to Texas Abortion Law. Hospitality Industry Edition.
What’s happening? Houston, Texas restaurants and bars are joining forces to create a fund to pay for travel expenses and other costs for persons impacted by Texas abortion law.
Why is this important? The effort is organized by I’ll Have What She’s Having, a Houston organization that supports women in the male-dominated hospitality industry.
How will this be important? One restaurant experienced backlash with a commentator posting on Facebook and yelp about cockroaches. In response, the restaurant took to social media and received an outpouring of support.
Utilities Supporting Wildlife
What is happening? 20% of electric grid interruptions in Costa Rica are related to wildlife to counter this the National Energy Conservation Commission crafted the slogan “wildlife matters”
Why is this important? let’s not debate the merits of their word choice. But let’s think about the import of awareness of wildlife and transmission lines. The campaign includes other advice like pruning trees close to power lines and planting native species taking into account their height and growth space with respect to the network, can avoid the risks of electrocution.
How will this be important? It’s not just Costa Rica where wildlife impacts the delivery of electricity.
The Costa Rica News | Costa Rica’s Electricity Sector Unites to Protect Wildlife
Pepsi CEO: Big Companies Can Do Better
What’s happening? Indra Nooyi, the former Pepsi CEO for 12 years before stepping down in 2018, new memoir examines how she pushed the company on sustainability.
Why is this important? She talks about corporate responsibility not as taking away from shareholders but in terms of how we can make money in different ways. Words matter people, and her words can ring true to certain sectors. Different means, same end.
How will this be important? “I want to deliver great returns but I want to make sure that I’m not creating problems downstream for the company because of the business model that I’ve developed to deliver those returns or the cost I’m passing onto society.”
NY Times | Former Pepsi C.E.O. Indra Nooyi on the Truth of Corporate Responsibility
Indigenous Persons Day Gains
What’s happening? Add Dallas to the growing list of cities celebrating Indigenous Peoples on October 11th.
Why is this important? The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas and the Red Handed Warrior Society members also moved Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Dallas County, and Corpus Christi to adopt Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 11th. The State of Texas is honoring Indigenous Peoples Day this year.
How will this be important? The growing social justice movements and consciousness that emerged from the pandemic is shining light on historical perspectives.
Spectrum News 1 | Dallas City Council approves Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Following the reactions to Texas abortion bill
What’s happening? It is reported that the Dallas Morning News rejected a PAC advertisement criticizing AT&T for its support of supporters of Texas abortion bill.
Why is this important? On the one side companies have been vocal about the impact of the legislation on them and their workers. On the side of the paper, it says it has a policy that prohibits ads that call out companies by name
How will this be important? Television ads will run. Moral of the story- people on all sides are paying attention
Second Hand Shopping Centrum
What’s happening? Eskiltuna Sweden has an entire shopping center dedicated to other”s people’s trash that has been refurbished, repurposed or restored.
Why is this important? I can personally attest to the program in Balsta Sweden where when you donate a used item, you may take a used item. Don’t need a dustpan, but need a candlesnuffer, it’s your place.
How will this be important? Reuse and recycling is increasing since 2020 and is expected to continue.
Uber Afghan Refugee Support
What is happening? Uber is offering 50K rides and meals, committed $1M to refugee resettlement efforts, and is matching contributions to @RESCUEorg
Why is this important? Perspective. Some view Afghanistan as a campaign issue.
How will this be important? The imaging of the campaign is comfort, food, support.
@Uber
+1 Female Majority Legislature
What’s happening? We first talked about Nevada’s State House having a female majority. Now Iceland joins the party.
Why is this important? Iceland is in the process of diversifying its economy so it experiences fewer booms.
How will this be important? 52% of Iceland’s Parliament seats are held by women and Iceland is the only Nordic country that hasn’t bounced back to pre-crisis levels of activity
The Columbian | Iceland elects Europe’s first female-majority legislature
COVID Accelerated Social Impact
What is happening? B Corp certifications rose in 2020.
Why is this important? 2020 is seen as proof positive that we need a different type of economy. (Hello, great resignation, we see you)
How will this be important? B Corps must meet the “highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit with purpose.” That means it is in the company’s culture and felt through all stakeholders.
Knowledge @ Wharton | How the Pandemic Accelerated the Social Impact Movement
Continuing Corporate COVID Actions
What’s happening? LEGO has announced $150 million in donations for locations hit hard by COVID to support children and communities.
Why is this important? $80M will be for LEGo Foundation and its partners to work on COVID recovery for children and communities. $70M will be dedicated to UNICEF to support vaccine and health care costs for parents, teachers and caregivers.
How will this be important? Ongoing giving is the name of the game for recovery.
Teacher Retirement System of Texas Yes to ESG
What is happening? In August TRS board of trustees “green light to add an ESG policy into its overall investment approach “
Why is this happening? Increasing interest and supporting data in ESG investments, especially since the pandemic began
How will this be important? We’ll have metrics in Texas as the TRS board approval requires annual reporting.
Top Law Firms Vow to Fight Texas Abortion Law Pro Bono
What’s happening? Top U.S. law firms including Debevoise & Plimpton; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; and Susman Godfrey are serving as outside counsel to Center for Reproductive Rights to fight the Texas Abortion law.
Why is this important? Texas law is designed to dissuade counsel from coming in because a single loss on a single claim triggers attorney fee costs.
How will this be important? Watch the galvanizing impact of this legislation. Top lawyers call it everything from repugnant to unconstitutional under both the Texas and U.S. Constitutions
Reuters | Top law firms vow to fight Texas abortion law, even if it costs them
Add Apple Response to Texas Abortion Law
What’s happening? Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly said Apple will pay abortion costs for employees who travel out of state, including insurance coverage and is considering legal action challenging the law.
Why is this important? The market is responding to a mandate it does not like.
How will this be important?
ABC 7 News | Apple to pay medical expenses for Texas employees after abortion ban, report says
mashable | Apple vows to pay for Texas employees to travel after abortion ban
Corporate Push Back to Texas Abortion Law
What’s happening? This week more than 50 major corporations signed a letter opposed to Texas 2021 abortion law, stating : ” “restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health, independence, and economic stability of our workers and customers.” The companies include:
Slack Technologies Inc.
Stewart Butterfield
Bloomberg L.P.
Amalgamated Bank
Peter T. Grauer
Keith Mestrich
M∙A∙C Cosmetics
M.M. LaFleur
Philippe Pinatel
Postmates
Sarah LaFleur
H&M
Bastian Lehmann
rag & bone
Ezinne Kwubiri
DVF
Marcus Wainwright
Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
Mark & Karen Wolverton
Jeremy Stoppelman
Diane von Furstenberg
Away
Yelp
Dermalogica Professional Skincare Aurelian Lis
Kat Taylor
Square, Inc.
The Body Shop US
Katie Beauchamp
Jack Dorsey
Andrea Blieden
Glossier
Portland General Electric
Maria Pope
Zoom Video Communications, Inc. Eric S. Yuan
Quintessentially
Emily Weiss
Zendesk
Bertrand Quesada
Mikkel Svane
Everlane
The Standard
Tim Brown
Amar Lalvani
Seventh Generation
Warby Parker
BlueJeans Network Quentin Gallivan
Atlantic Records & Warner Music Group Julie Greenwald
Joey Bergstein
Neil Blumenthal & Dave Gilboa
Rebecca Minkoff LLC
Okta
Gabriela Hearst
Visit.Org, Inc.
Michal Alter
Fur
Laura Schubert
LaRue PR LLC
Jessy Klein Fofana
Lesbians Who Tech
Leanne Pittsford
Nia Impact Capital
Kristin Hull
We Dream in Color
Jade Gedeon
The Cru
Tiffany Dufu
Harrington Investments, Inc. John Harrington
Dazey LA
Dani Nagel
Gotham Gal
Joanne Wilson
Union Station
Corie Hardee
Todd McKinnon
Gabriela Hearst
Unity Technologies
John Riccitiello
&pizza
Michael Lastoria
Refinery29
Philippe von Borries
POPSUGAR
Lisa Sugar
& Brian Sugar
Hello Alfred
Marcela Sapone
Tinder
Elie Seidman
The Cut
Stella Bugbee
CREDO Mobile
Ray Morris
Outdoor Voices
Ty Haney
ChowNow
Christopher Webb
Hint, Inc.
Kara Goldin
R2C Group
Michelle Cardinal
Catbird
Rony Elka Vardi
The Muse
Kathryn Minshew & Alex Cavoulacos
BaubleBar
Amy Jain
& Daniella Yacobovsky
hims & hers
Andrew Dudum
Blavity
Morgan DeBaun
Cinq à Sept and LIKELY Jane Siskin
The Riveter
Amy Nelson
THINX
Maria Molland
Trillium Asset Management Matthew Patsky
WILDFANG
Emma Mcilroy
Richer Poorer
Iva Pawling
Mara Hoffman
Mara Hoffman
OUAI
Jen Atkin
TomboyX
Fran Dunaway
Heartbeat
Kate Edwards
Sustain
Meika Hollender
Dame Products
Alexandra Fine
ADAY
Nina Faulhaber & Meg He
Designer Revival
Tiffany Keriakos
Cora
Molly Hayward
Why is this important? Other companies have offered to support employees and their families if they are impacted including: Match, Salesforce, Bumble
How will this be important? Data shows that consumers want corporations to take positions on the big issues.
Don’t Ban Equality for list of corporations
WallStreet Journal | Texas Abortion Law Faces Pushback From Some Companies
Sustainable vegetable packaging
What’s happening? Vendors in Asia are using banana leaves and coconut fronds to weave baskets for fruit vendors.
Why is this important? The leaf woven baskets eliminates plastic containers. As a bonus, the leaves keep the vegetables fresher longer by cooling the produce.
How will this be important? In Asia, more than 75% of the value of recyclable plastic is lost. Leaf baskets will reduce the plastic waste in Southeast Asia
+1 Chief Sustainability Officer
What is happening? Sun Life Financial has its first ever Chief Sustainability Officer.
Why is this important? Read what the company says: “As a global industry leader, Sun Life has a responsibility and ability to advance meaningful sustainability outcomes and it is a key strategic priority for us. Creating a dedicated chief sustainability officer role is important to me to advance our priorities and I see it as the critical next step in Sun Life’s sustainability commitment.”
How will this be important? The company lists, the climate, diversity and the challenges of the pandemic as reasons behind the need for a Chief Sustainability officer.
Insurance Business Magazine | Sun Life introduces its first chief sustainability officer
New: Chief Impact Officer for Taco Bell
What’s happening? Taco Bell has brought on its former employee, Lil Nas, as its honorary Chief Impact Officer
Why is this important? Diverse appeal and his social media marketing skills
How will this be important? Celebrities highlight the need for diversity, inclusion and more increases the dialog
Ad Week | Former Taco Bell Worker Lil Nas X Becomes the Brand’s Chief Impact Officer
The New Yorker + Diversity
What’s happening? New Yorker diversity came to pass on twitter with a a user posted a 20-part thread decrying the lack of diversity among writers and editors.
Why is this important? The details: During the last 15 years,
- “less than 0.01% of print features and critical pieces were edited by a Black editor
- More women were able to publish profiles in the magazine between 1925 and 1935 than between 1990 and 2000.
- Over the last 30 years, spanning 1990 to 2020, few to no reviews of cinema, fine arts or classical music were published by either women or writers of color.”
How will this be important? This twitter user thread about the lack of diversity came from within the NewYorker by its own archive editor
NPR | A ‘New Yorker’ Editor Dug For Diversity Stats. She Calls The Results ‘Passive Racism’
Businesses Highlighting Black Owned Business
What’s happening? We are completely smitten by companies that put their money where their mouths are. Meet Glossier who in 2020 announced support for Black owned business and now in 2021 is announcing its 2021 Grant Program for Black-Owned Beauty Businesses
Why is this important? Glossier is providing funding, mentorship and telling the stories of these Black-Owned Beauty Businesses.
How will this be important? Uplift other businesses is the future
53 hours from CEO Tweet to Firing.
What’s happening? The CEO of Tripwire, a software gaming company, tweeted “…affirming the Texas law banning abortion for babies with a heartbeat…” 53 hours later he was fired.
Why is this important? The responses ranged from boycotts, to delisting their software. To a focus not on his pro-life message but that he used his CEO account to tweet the pro-life message when the bill includes bounty hunter provisions. Co-development patterns canceled contracts.
How will this be important? Just need to look at the company’s response: “His comments disregarded the values of our whole team, our partners and much of our broader community. Our leadership team at Tripwire are deeply sorry and are unified in our commitment to take swift action and to foster a more positive environment.”
The Verge | Tripwire CEO out 53 hours after tweeting his opinions on Texas abortion law
Supermarket with a Vertical Farm
What’s happening? A supermarket in Sweden is growing the vegetables it sells to cut down on emissions and increase sustainability.
Why is this important? innovative vertical farm was developed by Swegreen, a Swedish greentech company that offers circular solutions for urban cultivation
How will this be important? Talk about hyper local. This is taking local to a whole new level.
2021 Business Success : “Don’t be a dick.”
What’s happening? La La Land Kind Cafe, a Dallas-based coffee café, founded by FRANÇOIS REIHANI, having realized he had become not a good person. So, he created La La Land and hires young adults and teenagers as they exit the foster care system.
Why is this important? La La Land Kind Coffee doesn’t advertise it’s good deeds. Francois credits his Iranian heritage having been raised in France and Mexico, and that diversity to create an enterprise where people just love each other while teaching these young adults how to hold and keep a job
How will this be important? “We just believe that when you do the right thing, magic happens,” Reihani says. That belief is paying off: La La Land Kind Cafe has opened five locations and already crossed $6 million in revenue.
Entrepreneur | The Future is Bright
Company Diversity 1974
What’s happening? IN 1974, Lego included a statement with its boxes that read “The urge to create is equally strong in all children. Boys and girls. It’s imagination that counts. Not skill. You build whatever comes into your head, the way you want it. A bed or a truck. A spaceship or a dollhouse. A lot of boys like dolls houses. They’r more human than spaceships. A lot of girls prefer space ships. They’re more exciting than dolls houses. The most important thing is to put the right material in their hands and let them create whatever appeals to them.”
Why is this important? it is as relevant today as it was in 1974.
How will this be important? How many new products have similar statements?
How many uses for an organic tote to offset cost of production?
What’s happening? Much like the perennial question, how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop, The Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark has the answer for how many times you have to use your organic cotton tote to offset its cost of production.
Why is this important? It is said to take 20,000 uses of an organic cotton bag to offset its production costs. 20,000 equates to daily use for 54 years.
How will this be important? 20% of the world’s cotton that supplies most Western fashion brands is correlated to forced labor in China.
Corporate Reaction to Texas Abortion Bill.
What’s happening? Companies are creating funds to pay for the expenses of people who need access to an abortion.
Why is this important? Uber, Lyft, Bumble and Match.com have all stated that they will cover expenses of their employees, and their dependents who need abortion services.
How will this be important? Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi
“Drivers shouldn’t be put at risk for getting people where they want to go,” he wrote. “Team Uber is in too and will cover legal fees in the same way.”
Route Fifty | Lyft and Uber Establish Legal Funds to Protect Drivers from Texas Abortion Law
Meet Hunter Boots NewSustainability Standards
What is happening? Hunter Boots, the iconic wellies, have adopted new sustainability standards that include:
- By 2025, all of its rubber footwear will be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.
- Hunter pledges to work with World Land Trust to protect endangered forests, the species that depend on it and the people that care for it.
- In 2022, 65 percent of Hunter’s collection will incorporate FSC-certified rubber, Bloom algae foam or recycled textiles.
- By 2022, 100 percent of Hunter’s packaging will be recyclable.
- By 2022, Hunter will become carbon neutral across its direct global operations and will offset all direct carbon emissions from global stores and offices.
- By 2022, Hunter will have conducted inclusive worldwide leadership training for all hiring managers in line with its Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and its new HR policies and procedures.
- Hunter has donated over 150,000 boots to date and every year and pledges to donate a further 15,000 pairs of fully functional boots to global charities, including those that respond to natural disasters, pandemics and the refugee crisis.
- Offer a simple end-of-life solution for boots in the UK and US at no cost to the costumer
Why is this important? They have 3 major goals: protecting forests, resources, and communities
How will this be important? it is easy to think that every company is embracing sustainability in our pandemic world, but there is more to come and this thoughtful policy shows it should be encouraged
Fashion United | Hunter launches sustainability and accountability strategy
What is needed to grow ESG investments?
What is happening? Goldman Sachs relies on a study that shows stagnation in the number of potential investors that know about ESG investments
Why is this important? Increased education about ESG investments and their impact is the touted solution & Gallup polls show 42% or more are interested din learning about ESG investments
How will this be important? The Goldman Sachs Future Planet Equity is 6 weeks old and has $58 million in management
Future ETFs | More Investor Education Needed to Drive Sustainable Investing Growth
The Laundry List of Ways Railroads Win with Supply Chain Diversity
What is happening? 40 years ago, Union Pacific was the first Class I railroad to implement supplier diversity program
Why is this important? Now it looks to expand that base because a diverse supply chain adds:
- new products, services and solutions
- promotes innovation
- an investment in the very communities
- promotes local job creation
- this supply chain spending better reflects the communities we all live and work
How will this be important? Even within a diverse supply chain, the company can identify areas where it can do better such as with more Latinx and Black suppliers
Railway Age | UP: Supplier Diversity a Smart Community Investment
Crypto is Re-defining Governance
What is happening? Leaders in crypto currency, including, venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), are calling for greater transparency in governance
Why is this important? the DeFi ecosystem – now rivaling mid-sized American banks at $146 billion in total value locked. Combine its size with the open source call that will allow it to “build in public.”
How will this be important? “open source” its decentralized finance (DeFi) delegation procedures is the future they say
CoinDesk | A16z Details Its New Approach to Crypto Governance
Let’s Peek: Cannabis Company ESG Report
What’s happening? Colombian-Canadian cannabis firm Khiron Life Sciences Corp released its inaugural ESG report that highlights its diversity wage parity, solar energy purchases, COVID donations, use of local suppliers, and support its culture of innovation
Why is this important? The ESG report not only focuses on the company’s internal sustainability but also for the supply chain
How will this be important? “RBC Global Asset Managements’ Responsible Investment Survey 2019, 70% of institutional investors surveyed use ESG principles when they invest. The top 3 reasons to apply ESG principles when investing were cited as (1) lower risks, (2) improved returns, and (3) acting in clients’ interests.”
Finance Columbia | Cannabis Producer Khiron Issues First Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report
Meet the New Kid Turning Old Wood to New Energy
What’s happening? Austin, TX start-up Locoal Charcoal takes old commercial wood waste and creates biochar which filters soil and water
Why is this important? 500 million pallets that go into our landfills every year and the goal is to turn all the wood that goes to landfills into biochar
How will this be important? Biochar can also filter toxic runoff flowing into area waterways that can create toxic algae that has poisoned dogs in Austin
AirBnB Permits Suits by Sexual Assault Survivors & Encourages Hospitality Industry to do so too
What is happening? AirBnB is changing its terms of service to now allow survivors of sexual assaults to sue the platform.
Why is this important? From AirBnB: “We believe that survivors should be able to bring claims in whatever forum is best for them. We encourage our industry peers within the travel and hospitality space to consider taking similar steps for their respective communities.”
How will this be important? Shines light on the impact of #metoo that highlighted the impact of forced arbitration in corporate America to silence sexual assault survivors. Microsoft Corp., Google and Facebook Inc., removed binding arbitration in sexual assault and sexual harassment claims filed by employees. Uber Technologies Inc. updated its terms of service to eliminate forced arbitration for passengers and drivers.
The Detroit News | Airbnb says it will allow sexual-assault victims to sue company
Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship
What’s happening? LegalZoom and University of Southern California (USC) Marshall School of Business will partner with LegalZoom supporting a scholarship for the Masters of Science in Social Entrepreneurship Program.
Why is this important? LegalZoom will also ” provide up to $5,000 in free services to support their business formation and compliance needs.”
How will this be important? The University’s support of making a sustainable impact in communities
Remember those new NASDAQ Rules on Diversity?
What’s happening? The SEC approved NASDAQs new rules requiring diversity on boards before a company can be listed.
Why is this important? The NASDAQ rules follow the market like Goldman Sachs’s requirement to have at least two diverse directors, including one woman, on boards of companies it helps take public after July 1, 2021
How will this be important? The SEC vote was on a partisan line.
Denver Social Impact Bond Repaid Early.
What’s happening? To tackle homelessness Denver used a mix of federal and state grants for housing, Medicaid for mental health care and social impact bonds to fill-in.
Why is this important? “Private investors lent the city $8.6 million, with the understanding that the city would repay the money only if program participants stayed housed for at least a year and spent at least 20% fewer days in jail. If participants spent more time in housing, and less time in jail, investors would get additional money.”
How will this be important? Denver saved so much money on emergency services that it repaid investors $9.6 million.
Pew Charities | How Denver Tackled Homelessness While Saving Money
Corporations Speak on the Big Issues.
What’s happening? HP, Microsoft and American Airlines Group vocally support diversity and inclusion that supports employee recruitment and voiced opposition to legislation that would make it harder to vote. Texas Competes, an organization representing businesses that favor LGBTQ rights including Apple, Amazon.com, Dell, IBM and PayPal Holdings, voiced concerned over transgender legislation.
Why is this important? A cultural shift in our post-COVID and post-Black Lives Matter world. Information moves fast. Consumers want to support companies that are on the right side of history.
How will this be important? The ongoing push and pull between politicians and corporations is just beginning as we shift to a stakeholder economy.
Seattle Times | Texas GOP’s all-in focus on culture war spurs corporate backlash
Sustainability Consumers: Meet the Trailer that Charges your EV
What’s happening? lets meet the new kid on the block: Colorado Teardrop Campers with a 75-kWh battery pack built into the frame.
Why is this important? The trailer and its solar panels can charge your EV while stopped, but cannot charge while you’re in motion.
How will this be important? Could solve e the towing issues for EV trucks and SUVs
MotorTrend | Recharge Your EV Tow Vehicle Using This Battery-Laden Teardrop Trailer
Survey Says: No more 5 days in the Office
What’s happening? A Survey of employers in San Francisco, CA revealed that
- 40% say their employees will eventually return to 3 days in the office
- 22% say 2 days in the office
- 13% said 4 days
- 19% said 5 days or more in the office
Why is this important? Pre-pandemic, the number of days in the office in San Francisco was 5+
How will this be important? “We’re seeing a potentially tectonic shift in the region’s commute patterns,” said Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council, a business and civic leadership group.
Route Fifty | In One City, 3 Days a Week in the Office May be a New Norm
Profits Increase by the Number of Women Hired
What’s happening? Brotopia is the tale of the male dominated culture in tech. Replete with quotes from tech leaders about the importance of women like:
- Dick Costolo, formerly of Twitter: Costolo told me. “Any one of these companies, the underlying disease is that it’s 90 percent men,”
- Jack Dorsey, of Twitter: “It’s not just creating a sense of belonging that’s important, but also making sure women contribute to decision making.”
Why is this important? You can’t read a business section or a business book these days without seeing data supporting that profit rises when more women are at the top and throughout an organization.
How will this be important? Diversity and Inclusion is a requirement of more investors, reporting requirements, and consumer confidence.
@Inc. twitter
Pandemic Customers. Learn from the Data.
What’s happening? Data. Folks, we have data on pandemic customers now. Let’s get to identifying these new customers likes and dislikes and how we can grow fruitful business relationships with our new pandemic customers.
Why is this important? Pandemic changed shopping habits. Consumers care where their goods come from. Who they buy from. What a big retailer does in its community, what it stands for on the big issues.
How will this be important? The economy is adapting because information is available, let’s use this for some good to create some more good. Harvard academics break it down for us in the You Tube.
Post Black Lives Matter- Company Promises to Do More. What has it done?
What’s happening? This should really be what have you done for me lately, like that 80s/90s pop song minus all the things that song probably says that will get you canceled. Bestbuy in 2020 committed to do better. It is investing $10 Million in a venture capital fund directed at BIPOC entrepreneurs.
Why is this important? Bestbuy is committed to ““break down the systemic barriers often faced by Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs — including lack of access to funding — and empowering the next generation within the tech industry.”
How will this be important? Part of this venture will also include entrepreneurship program at Best Buy Teen Tech Centers to help develop young entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, networking and funding access.
Employer Offer: Free Education Junior College or University
What’s happening? Add Target to the list of nationwide employers that are offering free junior college or university degrees to employees to hire and retain employees
Why is this important? Keeping your employees content and retaining them is new normal in this post-COVID, post-BLM world.
How will this be important? More ways to incentivize, retain, and treat your employees well forthcoming. 2021 means it is no longer 1983 or whenever Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lilly Tomlin made 9 to 5, the film.
@washingtonpost on instagram
How Construction Industry is Handling Diversity & Inclusion
What’s happening? After George Floyd’s tragic death, racist incidents at construction sites were more noticeable.
Why is this important? To address these issues a panel of construction industry leaders say:
- make small manageable changes in diversity and inclusion
- get comfortable being uncomfortable
- company culture starts with your managers, so hold your managers accountable
How will this be important? The industry is 10.9% women, 30% Latino, 6% black and 2% Asian and there’s apparently a lot of nooses left around construction sites. This is a growth opportunity in the new economy.
Construction Dive | Panel Weighs In on Diversity & inclusion
Meet the New Social Impact Crypto Currency
What’s happening? the world’s first social impact crypto currency, Elongate, has completed its corporate structure.
Why is this important? EG Association will focus on governing social impact: donations, charity events, fundraising & ELONGATE Global will focus on governing the technology platforms and disruptive technological development
How will this be important? More seats at this table to grow crypto currency and social impact
Yahoo Finance | The World’s First Social Impact Cryptocurrency ELONGATE Announces Incorporation
Zappos Do Good Project
What’s happening? @upworthy and @Zappos have teamed up for another #ZapposDoGoodChallenge to promote #every?body?outside
Why is this important? The goal is to share acts of kindness with others and with nature. Two companies putting the call out for kindness. yesthankyoumoreplease
How will this be important? I’m all here for businesses taking an interest in kindness not only internally but also within their communities and their stakeholders
COVID Pivot: Employers Pay Employee College Tuition
What’s happening? WalMart revealed a new program to pay for college tuition for 1.5 million employees in an effort to retain employees.
Why is this important? Reading the coverage of this move, you read “tight labor market” or a new way of running businesses in 2021. There’s a change that’s happening without regard to how you describe it.
How will this be important? It’s changing how they talk. From A Walmart senior VP ” This investment is another way we can support our associates to pursue their passion and purpose while removing the barriers that too often keep adult working learners from obtaining degrees.””
How is this 2021?
What’s happening? The European Handball Association’s Disciplinary Commission fined the women’s national beach handball team 1500 Euros ($1700) for not wearing regulation bikinis.
Why is this important? The Norwegian government & team officials stood behind its players to support their choice of competition clothing. One minister went so far as to say if the men can wear what they like, so can the women.
How will this be important? Moving the needle can take time, Norwegian women have petitioned to wear shorts in international competitions since 2006. Persistence and timing pay off.
NBC News | Norway’s beach handball protest is about a lot more than bikinis
Diversity Lift by McDonalds
What’s happening? McDonalds and 20 of its largest suppliers are pledging to increase diversity in its suppliers to 25%
Why is this important? It’s a 2% increase from the current 23% of the suppliers are diverse
How will this be important? Beginning this year McDonald’s executives bonus are tied to diversity benchmarks beginning this year
NASDAQ | McDonald’s to boost diversity among suppliers to 25%
Digital Inclusion. The new Metric.
What’s happening? National Digital Inclusion Alliance launched State Digital Equity Scorecard that benchmark goals and best practices for digital inclusion
Why is this important? States are assessed on a set of six criteria:
- data on digital skill needs
- comprehensive planning to address digital skill gaps
- online digital skills training
- incumbent worker training funds
- technology apprenticeships
- digital equity within state broadband plans
State programs include:
- MI is offering $15.3M in grants to boost connectivity in communities
- San Jose CA has community built platform to match youths with mental health care services
How will this be important? National Digital Inclusion Alliance partnered with Microsoft and the National Skills Coalition
Government technology | What’s New in Civic Tech: The State Digital Equity Scorecard
Tax Incentive Programs with Diversity Requirements
What’s happening? California expanded its film incentive program to $454 Million and will include a diversity requirement for incentives.
Why is this important? recipients must create diversity goals and submit plans on how to achieve those goals that will be approved by the California Film Commission
How will this be important? California numbers say that for every $1 California spends on entertainment incentives, it receives back 10 cents and 30 cents in state tax revenue through increased economic activity
Meet the Worker Financial Wellness Initiative
What’s happening? The following companies are joining forces to make workers’ financial security and health a C-suite and investor priority:
- Paypal
- Just Capital
- Chipotle
- Chobani
- Even
- Prudential Financial
- Verizon
- other leading companies
Why is this important? It’s a signal and move away from shareholder economy
How will this be important? We already have data says that if you put more into your employees pockets, your company does better. Specifically, “business outcomes such as productivity, innovation, customer satisfaction, and employee turnover and engagement” all improve by improving the financial well being of your employees.
$1 million pitch contest for for-profit companies
What’s happening? Part of the RK Mellon Foundation $50 million in social impact investments planned for the next decade includes a $1 million pitch contest for the FOR PROFIT sector.
Why is this important? Compassionate Entrepreneurs have a seat at the table too
How will this be important? This is what they’re looking for: any company that has a service, a technology, or product that would allow them to make a difference as it relates to one of our four grant-making categories: economic development, conservation, economic mobility or health and well-being. Apply here.
Sustainable Lobsters
What’s happening? Let’s talk lobsters. Not the Friends line from Phoebe about Ross and Rachel being each other’s lobsters, but the edible crustaceans. Australian Research Council is putting $5 Million to sustainable lobster practices.
Why is this important? The goal is “sustainable onshore lobster aquaculture will investigate new industry practices and provide alternate solutions for lobster culture in bio-secure and cost-effective onshore systems.”
How will this be important? Fisheries and sustainability have come a long way since Monterrey Bay Aquarium first put up its otter cameras so we could watch otters on the web. Monterrey Bay tracks sustainable fish for consumption.
The Fish Site | Australia launches $5 million lobster aquaculture initiative
The Big Question for CEOs Thanks to COVID
What’s happening? Harvard Business Review identified a division among CEOs. Those who want to go back to the way things were and those who want to move forward in new ways.
Why is this important? This looks a lot like the schism between companies that embrace the new stakeholder economy and those that are hanging onto to the old ways of shareholder economics.
How will this be important? We’re at at the cusp of re-defining work from being simply present to being productive. You don’t have to be in an office to be productive.
Meet Kyx. Sharing Economy for your Kicks
What’s happening? Kyx is a platform for sharing sneakers that allows users to request new only sneakers, or sanitized previously worn pairs of the hottest sneakers.
Why is this important? Old school sneaker heads are saying they see Kyx as a change in sneaker culture.
How will this be important? As RealReal and other resellers grow, so is the renting market for unique and special items, like must have sneakers.
W | Street Style Pioneer Jeff Staple on the Future of the Sneaker Sharing Economy
Data. Did the 15% Pledge work?
What’s happening? It has been a year since the 15% pledge sought to bring more Black company products to big retailers.
Why is this important? 385 Black owned companies saw their products sold at big retailers within 12 months.
How will this be important? Supporting women and BIOPIC businesses isn’t just for kicks or headlines. It builds businesses, economies and your profits.
Imagine if entertainment made a social impact. Meet the New Kid
What’s happening? Meet MainStream Nation “is developing entertainment for national television that focuses on political and social solutions with direction from users of our companion mobile app.”
Why is this important? They say they will work with civic reform organizations that “give all of us opportunities to see that there is much more that binds us together than pulls us apart”
How will this be important? Their partners are #ListenFirst Coalition
USA Today | What if TV programs united Americans rather than divided us? Here’s how we plan to try.
Post COVID. Labor Shortage? Business Problem?
What’s happening? Joining the debate about whether there is a labor shortage or whether businesses aren’t attractive to employees anymore post-COVID is Mark Cuban. His comments- those businesses that kept their employees on and treated them well during COVID are thriving. Those that didn’t aren’t.
Why is this important? To quote Mark Cuban ” Compassion is good for business.”
How will this be important? This discussion reflects the shift in the economy from the old shareholder economy to the new stakeholder economy.
Study Results: The 4 Day Work Week
What’s happening? Beginning in 2015, Iceland’s working population began to adopt a 4 day work week, and the results are in- more productive employees who are happier.
Why is this important? Dare I say that even in the U.S. how we view work times and places has changed since March 2020.
How will this be important? Take note- pay remained the same. Things that changed included limited times on meetings, and many meetings were entirely replaced by emails.
NPR | Iceland Cut Its Work Week And Found Greater Happiness And No Loss In Productivity
Experts Offer How to Support Pride (More than a rainbow logo)
What’s happening? Harvard Business Review offers a list of what businesses can do to support LGBTQIA+ community beyond a rainbow pride logo. (1) Hire LGBTQIA+ (2) Contribute regularly to LGBTQIA+ organizations (3) Highlight LGBTQIA businesses and stakeholders (4) Adopt forward thinking policies (5) “Utilize your power and influence as a company to advocate for LGBTQ+ people during all 12 months of the year”
Why is this important? People are paying attention in this post-COVID world. Information moves quickly. Cancel culture is still a thing.
How will this be important? The bar keeps rising as Harvard Business Review points out.
City New Initiative: Dim Lights for Birds
What’s happening? The City of Philadelphia is dimming lights city wide to improve the migratory path of birds. This is going to get dark… without dimming lights the birds can fly into buildings.
Why is this important? Perhaps a Bird Safe Philly Program would be good for your community too
How will this be important? All our communities could work together to dim lights and improve board migration
Anatomy of a Kindness Partnership
What’s happening? A retailer, Beekman 1802, is partnering with @kindnessorg and @verizonmedia, by sharing stories of kindness.
Why is this important? Consuming bad news is harmful to our mental health according to McLean, Harvard Medical School Affiliate
How will this be important? COVID has heightened our reactions to the onslaught of unkind news/
McLean | How Much News Is Too Much News for Good Mental Health?
Using Social Media for Social Good
What’s happening? Out of a true crime series, a train passenger in India noticed a group of frightened girls, and while on the train tweeted the train management and local authorities that he believed girls were being trafficked.
Why is this important? We’ve seen social media play a significant role in Black Lives Matters and LGBTQIA+, we’re entering the norm.
How will this be important?This takes see something, say something to a new level.
Social Media Platform for Social Good. Let’s Meet the New Kid
What’s happening? Meet -ImpactWayv, Inc., a platform to connect people, businesses and philanthropy for social good.
Why is this important? Users connect via relevant impact discussions and initiatives, with like-minded individuals, companies and nonprofits that share their commitment to the causes they care about.
How will this be important? The platform says it can measure a users ripple effect across initiatives
ImpactWayv™ Launches Social Media Platform Focused on Social Good
Improving Diversity in Healthcare
What’s happening? HHS is putting up $80M to increase diversity in health care by creating the new Public Health Informatics and Technology Workforce Development Program
Why is this important? data is the name of the game and the data HHS wants is “improving public health data collection, especially with regard to race and ethnicity data “around infection, hospitalization, and mortality rates, as well as underlying health and social vulnerabilities, that is disaggregated by race and ethnicity, age, gender, and other key variables,”
How will this be important? COVID and Black Lives Matters have shined lights on the disparity in treatment and disparity in outcomes.
N extGov | HHS Puts Up $80M to Increase Number and Diversity of Health IT Workforce
Problem Solving + Social Impact
What’s happening? I can’t do this story justice because it is a master course in problem solving. Here’s the set up: The head of a major hedge fund reads an article in The NY Times about PornHubs child trafficking. He wants to do something about it, but PornHub is a privately held company held by another private company. So, he gets creative and contacts a friend at MasterCard because Visa and MasterCard process PornHub payments.
Why is this important? Sometimes you solve a problem by not going at the problem directly but cutting of resources, and this story is a master class of addressing child trafficking by hitting the funds.
How will this be important? I know I’ll use this as a go-to to inspire creative problem solving.
100,000 Jobs for ESG reporting
What’s happening? Price Waterhouse Cooper announced it will create 100,000 jobs focused on helping business with ESG reporting. The future is coming and it is bringing ESG along with it.
Why is this important? They’re putting in $12 Billion to create 100,000 jobs in 5 years
How will this be important? Of the new hires 25,000 to 30,000 will be in the United States and 10,000 of those will be Black or LatinX
Insurance Journal | PwC to Create 100,000 New Jobs to Help Clients Grappling with ESG Reporting
City Adopts COVID Remote Work Incentives
What’s happening? Wichita Falls TX Chamber of Commerce has created a new a Remote Worker Incentive program to “incentivize companies for employing remote workers in the city or relocating those employees to Wichita Falls.”
Why is this important? there’s a community spin in that the program will focus on targeted towards pending graduates of Midwestern State University and anyone associated with Sheppard Air Force Base
How will this be important? This reminds me about when we talked about Tulsa OK incentivizing people to move there to work and live. Crafting local incentive programs that are tailored to your community is as great as a perfectly tailored jacket.
WFMZ | Wichita Falls, Texas, unveils Remote Worker Incentive for industries
Consumer TRENDs. Making an Impact with Groceries.
What’s happening? CEO of The Center for Food Integrity and president of Look East says Millenials and GenZ are leading the way with food integrity buying. The industry has long let the market place dictate.
Why is this important? There are more millennials than there are Boomers. Those who shop based not he impact to the environment, community ….that’s the side with the great numbers.
How will this be important? As commodity prices rise globally, he envisions a market place where social impact gets factored into a base product and increases to a premium version of the product.
Let’s talk Fairy Tale Endings.
What’s happening? We all need good news. By now we’ve all seen the bakery in Lufkin TX with the social media post that because the bakery posted a rainbow cookie, they lost a 5 dozen order. In response, the community showed up, formed lines and the bakery has sold out day after day.
Why is this important? It is important to speak up. Ultimately, we at InfoHive believe in the good in all people.
How will this be important? Speak up when you or your business experiences discrimination.
Brands + LGBTQ Responsibility
What’s happening? Jenna Lyons, former creative Director of JCrew, who was outed by the NY Post applauds non-profit giving, but says the key for brands supporting LGBTQ community is that ““the best possible way to support people is to actually hire them, nurture them, give them a welcoming community and pay them well,” “
Why is this important? The pandemic heightened the notion that businesses have to do more than provide lip service.
How will this be important? Everyone needs a seat at the table. Inclusivity matters.
Can AI reduce bias?
What’s happening? Policy makers are interested in AI to reduce bias. This year 16 states “proposed creating panels to review AI’s impact, promote public and private investment in AI, or address transparency and fairness in AI development.”
Why is this important? Academic research at MIT and Berkeley says AI makes systemic racism worse.
How will this be important? Dallas Texas based, BoodsKapper, is working to improve AI to reduce racist outcomes in its AI decision making. The Dallas Housing Authority says its been successful.
Stateline via Route Fifity | Programmers, Lawmakers Want A.I. to Eliminate Bias, Not Promote It
Help the Employee. Help the Business.
What’s happening? Walmart is giving each of its employees a new Samsung phone for personal and business use. It will allow employees the ability to walkie talkie through the phone and employees who may not otherwise have a smart phone, will have one.
Why is this important? as businesses recognize that treating employees we’ll improves employee morale and productivity and improves profit.
How will this be important? As industries that have historically treated their employees as replaceable move to retain employees, the shift from shareholder economy to stakeholder economy is solidified.
New Record. 41 Women CEOS
What’s happening? Fortune 500 list was published this week. Included is a record 41 women CEOS.
How is this important? Included in the 41 women CEOs are, for the first time ever, 2 black women CEOs. Rosalind Brewer CEO of Walgreesn Boots Alliance at No. 16. and Thasunda Brown Duckett CEO of TIAA at No. 79.
How will this be important? Until diversity and inclusion is attained, we will talk about the number of women or people of color or LGBT people in CEO positions.
Economic Impact of Women in 2020
What’s happening? Women are 70% of global consumption and control approximately $31.8 trillion in global consumer spending.
Why is this important? For companies to grow, executive leadership should reflect consumers. That’s diversity and inclusion.
How will this be important? Only 3% of US VC Funding goes to all Female leadership teams. The industry is paying attention. COVID hit women economically more than men, and we’re just tarting to address that in public government forums and private business forums.
Changing Business Climate: Meet the Good Lobbyist.
What’s happening? The GoodLobbyist.co wants to fuel positive change by promoting lobbying excellence with worldwide effect.
Why is this important? The Good Lobbyist isn’t the only entity connecting the dots from the Pandemic to the social justice momentum to the realization that it will never go back to the way it was before.
How will this be important? Positive change aligns with the CEO Pledge, NASDAQ requirements and more. That is the new normal.
Twitter: @GoodLobbyist Instagram: @GoodLobbyist
Millennials Driving ESG Investments
What’s happening? Millennials contributed $51.1 billion to sustainable funds in 2020. Driven largely by sustainability and climate change. In contrast 2% of Boomers take into account ESG when investing.
Why is this important? Morningstar data shows 72% of the U.S. population “expressed at least a moderate interest in sustainable investing,”
How will this be important? Experts say Millennial interest in ESG is a factor of timing more than generational interest.
NASDAQ | Millennials Are a Driving Factor in the Growth behind ESG Investments
COVID. How San Francisco Beat all the Statistics.
What’s happening? San Francisco’s death rate during the pandemic has been 1/4 of Los Angeles or New York. 77% of the population over 12 has received at least 1 dose of vaccine.
Why is this important? Some say the successful COVID approach is from little push back from residents. Others say it was the temperate climate and the closing of street that allowed for outdoor spaces throughout the pandemic.
How will this be important? Other cities will learn from San Francisco and beat the odds during future disasters.
Governing | How San Francisco Brought Its COVID Death Rate Down to Zero
Prada CSR Report Released
What’s happening? Prada released its work “dedicated to the reduction of the environmental impact of its activities, the enhancement of people and the promotion of culture”
Why is this important? Prada highlighted these big moves: the establishment of the Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council, to promote diversity and inclusion within the company and in the society at large; the announcement of the Fur Free policy for all the Group’s brands; the launch of the Prada Re-Nylon collection in regenerated nylon; the signing to the Fashion Pact; the subscription of a five-year Sustainability Linked Term Loan with Crédit Agricole Group and the third edition of the “Shaping a Future” conversations dedicated to social responsibility.
How will this be important? Attention to sustainability in fashion has been on the rise and heightened during the pandemic
Small Business Raises Wages to Attract Employees
What’s happening? A Pittsburgh ice cream shop was not getting potential employees to apply for its $7.25 jobs. So the owner raised the wages to $15 was flooded with applicants and …. revenue!
Why is this important? More revenue. The owner says the shop has more customers who want to support a business that will support its employees.
How will this be important? Inc is calling it the emotionally intelligent business decision that drives long term benefits in productivity and loyalty
Shareholder Votes Against Exxon and Chevron on Sustainability
What’s happening? ExxonMobil shareholders repudiated its leadership by voting in at least two new independent directors due to the way Exxon has handled climate change issues. Chevron also lost a shareholder vote and will be required to take into account its customers’ emissions when planning reductions.
Why is this important? This follows Wall Street which also is tying decarbonization to better corporate financials. Here’s who was behind the vote: “…a relatively small hedge fund called Engine No. 1. But it quickly won the backing of the three biggest U.S. pension funds, the two biggest advisory services and at least one of the three biggest fund managers. The three fund managers — BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street — hold more than 20 percent of ExxonMobil’s shares.”
How will this be important? Knock, knock. Who’s there? New Economy.
New Data: Diversity & Pro LGBTQ policies = Greater Profits
What’s happening? Two Nordic universities measured the financial performance of over 600 publicly trading U.S. companies between 2003 and 2016. Diversity and LGBTQ friendly policies equated to greater profitability and higher stock market value.
Why is this important? Add this to the pile of other data that shows businesses that are socially responsible garner greater economic gains.
How will this be important? This is the new economy. The stakeholder economy when it matters how your business treats others and your communities.
Gay Times | Businesses championing LGBT-friendly policies perform better financially
1st Female CEO at CALSTRS
What’s happening? America’s second-largest pension fund for the firs time in history as a female CEO.
Why is this important? Breaking barriers and improving economic outlooks.
How will this be important? More women in positions of power, the more women fill other leadership roles. More women statistically translates to better numbers.
Diverse Supply Chains Lead to Diverse Businesses
What’s happening? MIT looked at how do businesses increase diversity when investors are seeking out more diverse businesses. They define diverse as “small businesses or companies owned by minorities, women, veterans, members of the LGBT community, or people with disabilities.”
Why is this important? Procurement can be your business’ path to improved diversity.
How will this be important? Customers are 3X more likely to buy from a business seen as diverse. Even with companies that report diversity only 10% of suppliers are diverse- its an open and growing avenue.
MIT Sloan Management Review | How Procurement Can Strengthen Diversity and Inclusion
Giving Trends of Millennials
What’s happening? Artemis Strategy Group conducted two studies on behalf of Fidelity Charitable. Here’s what they found:
- 20% have invested in socially responsible businesses or investment funds
- 4 in 10 have accessed an online giving platform
- Forty% prefer to give money to the nonprofit sector rather than a major institution
Why is this important? Some say the apathetically inclined Gen X aligns more with Millennials than Boomers.
How will this be important? As millennials begin to control more than 5% of the wealth, their investing and giving styles will become common place.
Millennials Are Buying, Investing Based on ‘Social Good’: Fidelity
CVID. Workplace Returns + Diversity & Inclusion
What’s happening? “Givsly’s self-funded “Get Upfront with Givsly” covers costs for racial or ethnic minority-owned businesses to initiate outreach. Participants will each receive $500 of the $20,000 fund to be applied towards business credits for securing introductory meetings.”
Why is this important? The pandemic increased the focus on diversity and inclusion in the work place. Here’s another tool for your tool belt.
How will this be important? Fast Company made this product a 2021 Honoree
COVID. Re-hiring Essential Workers at Higher Wages.
What’s happening? Employers including Chipotle, Walmart, Costco, Amazon, and MCDonals are raising wages to get more applicants.
Why is this important? The employees are from line workers for COVID exposure, mostly the lowest paid industries, and the companies that pay more like Costco are shown to be economic powerhouses as the business absorbs the labor cost.
How will this be important? This the old economy fighting the new economy. The old economy says it is a labor problem. The new economy says you pay more you get better results and better profit.
AP | Desperate for workers, US restaurants and stores raise pay
NFL Re-ups support for 9 Social Justice Organizations
What’s happening? the NFL’s Inspire Change social justice initiative is adding $2.5 million to support 9 social justice grant programs that were approved by the Social Justice Working Group that is made up of 10 NFL players and owners.
Why is this important? This is the new economy.
How will this be important? “Players Coalition is committed to working with the NFL Player-Owner Social Justice Working Group, ensuring that Inspire Change grants are distributed to organizations who are committed to improving social and racial justice, with a focus on police and community relations, education, economic advancement, and criminal justice reform,” Kelvin Beachum, Players Coalition Task Force member, Social Justice Working Group member, and Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman.
The 15%
What’s happening? Sometimes you do some online shopping. Sometimes you find things that delight you. For me today, it was discovering Crate & Barrel joining the @15percentpledge to have 15% of their products and collaborations include black businesses.
Why is this important? This is the new economy. Supporting your local community. Supporting other local businesses and talking about it.
How will this be important? The stakeholder economy where we all have a seat at the table and we all reap the economic benefits for our own independent business.
103 Corporations Openly Oppose Anti-LGBTQ Legislation
What’s happening? “103 companies have signed the Business Statement Opposing Anti-LGBTQ State Legislation stating their clear opposition to harmful legislation aimed at restricting the access of LGBTQ people in society”
Why is this important? Businesses are speaking up more about social justice issues. Welcome to the new economy. These businesses stress that they strongly embrace diversity and inclusion. The bills harm their team members and their families and makes it hard for them to recruit employees.
How will this be important? Legislatures are finding ways to punish businesses that speak up.
National Business Statement Opposing Anti-LGBTQ State Legislation
Cali Proposition: Racial Justice Bureau
What’s happening? California Attorney General is proposing a new office- the Racial Justice Bureau- “to combat white supremacy and biased policing as well as to explore the possibility of reparations for slavery.”
Why is this important? Multiple cities, counties and states are working to tackle these issues.
How will this be important? This is only the start of these programs and actions by state and local governments.
Governing | California’s AG Rob Bonta to Create Racial Justice Bureau
State Prohibits Diversity & Inclusion Training
What is happening? Iowa House sent the Governor HF802 (2021 | IA) that prohibits governments in Iowa from providing diversity and inclusion training to use concepts, such as that the United States or Iowa was “fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist,”
Why is this important? It is Iowa’s way around banning critical race theory.
How will this be important? Legislatures across the country are tackling measures related to critical race theory.
Iowa Gazette | Iowa Legislature Approves Bill Banning Diversity Training, Curriculum
HR TREND: Environmental, social responsibility key to Recruiting Talent
What’s happening? IBM Institute for Value says the key to recruit talent is the economy’s environmental and social responsibility work.
Why is this important? 71% of employees and job seekers surveyed said environmentally sustainable companies were more attractive & 2/3 were more likely to apply for and accept jobs with environmentally and socially responsible organizations.
How will this be important? A 2021 February report by Mercer found U.S. business leaders will “take a more expansive view” of corporate responsibilities in the context of individual well-being and community well-being.
HR Dive | IBM: Environmental, social responsibility key to attracting global talent
The Future of the C Suite in Social Change
What’s happening? Ben & Jerry’s has been a social enterprise since its inception. This April their CEO joined a call with 1000 CEOS concerning a response to the voting rights legislation in dozens of states.
Why is this important? All global trends indicate that consumers “will take social and environmental issues more seriously, and will seek out businesses that make the world cleaner, safer and more equitable.”
How will this be important? The trend is not waning. Gen Z is more focused on this than the outwardly motivated millennials and the quietly motivated Gen Xers.
The Wall Street Journal | THE CEO OF BEN & JERRY’S WANTS TO REDEFINE THE C-SUITE
ESG Lobbying-lalapalooza in DC
What’s happening? The number of lobby registration in D.C. related to ESG has doubled in 2021. ESG lobbying began in 2015 and has slowly increased.
Why is this important? The lobbying registration increase comes as companies are increasingly speaking out about social injustice and climate change
How will this be important? The number of corporations speaking up on social injustice and climate change is not decreasing and there are no rules or limitations limiting it. Instead, “PepsiCo and ConocoPhillips mentioned ESG in their lobbying reports when discussing their interest in disclosures.”
Bloomberg Law | Democrats’ ESG Drive Fuels Lobbying Bonanza in Washington
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