Topics
Social Impact
Social Impact
Sportswear COVID Effect
What is happening? Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted is explaining that sneakers and t-shirts will be de rigueur for office wear.
Why is this important? If we’ve been able to conduct business during the pandemic with remote work in clothing that wasn’t suits and ties, the same work can occur in the office in more modern workwear.
How will this be important? So long business casual and hello, business comfort
Diversity in Electoral Bodies
What’s happening? Las Cruces New Mexico will begin the year with an all female city council.The majority of the women are people of color.
Why is this important? When one was asked who her childhood heroes were she replied that she didn’t have many people who looked like her
How will this be important? Representation matters as long with the diversity of ideas that have not previously been given air time
KVIA | Historic all-female city council leads Las Cruces
Las Cruces Sun News | Women set to represent all six Las Cruces city council districts
Sustainability. 2nd Hand Market to Double.
What’s happening? GlobalData, an analytics firm, estimated the second hand market will double from 2015 to 2022.
Why is this important? In 2020, Americans spent $140 billion on secondhand goods. By 2030, that is expected to increase by 154% to $354 billion.
How will this be important? They say Gen Z is leading this movement.
BLM Effect. Financial Regulators & Diversity Data
What is happening? The House Committee on Financial Services is considering proposals to “task the Securities and Exchange Commission and other financial market regulators with requiring companies to disclose racial and gender pay equity audits, board director demographics and other diversity-related information.”
Why is this important? Seeds of this started yers ago with ESG abroad, US Chamber Statement in 2017, and the work of investment firms to strengthen diversity, inclusion and sustainability.
How will this be important? We hear it every year the annual Top 500 is reported and that there are X number of Black CEOs and X number of women and X number of LGBTQIA+ CEOs. But, reported data sent to regulatory bodies, that’s new.
Roll Call |Democrats’ report urges diversity, pay equity disclosure bills
Diversity in Investment Firms. Congressional Report.
What’s happening? The U.S. House Committee on Financial Services released its report, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: HOLDING AMERICA’S LARGEST INVESTMENT FIRMS ACCOUNTABLE.
Why is this important? Recommendations in the report include:
- firms should collect disaggregated data on workforce, executive and board diversity
- firms should consider at least one diverse candidate for all executive positions and board positions when there are openings
- firms should develop pipeline programs for diverse asset managers to manage increasingly larger portfolios
How will this be important? Diversity and Inclusion isn’t leaving the conversation of policymakers and regulators. Join in writing the rules that impact you.
Pensions & Investments | BlackRock, SSGA tout diversity efforts at House subcommittee hearing
COVID Effect. Diverse Boards More Prepared
What’s happening? A report by BoardReady found that data shows diverse boards were more ready to handle social justice issues.
Why is this important? “No matter whether you’re looking at racial diversity, gender diversity, or diversity in age, companies with a broader range of perspectives at the board table did better,” said the report’s lead researcher, Rajalakshmi Subramanian.
How will this be important? Since August 21, 2021 Board diversity is a requirement for NASDAQ listing.
Entrepreneur | Board Diversity: Why It’s More Important Than Ever
Franchise Diversity
What’s happening? McDonalds is being sued by 77 Black former franchisees, part of the company’s solution is a diversity franchisee program.
Why is this important? McDonalds is committing $250 Million and 5 years to lower the equity needed to become a franchisee.
How will this be important? “The fast-food giant said Asian, Black and Hispanic owners represent 29.6% of its U.S. franchisees, while women account for 28.9%.” The company wants to increase access to capital and thus increase recruiting efforts for underrepresented entrepreneurs
Getting to Know Conscious Gifting
What is happening? Conscious gifting focuses on meaningful spending that supports causes you and your gift recipients care about.
Why is this important? It can be accomplished by shopping small businesses, shopping sustainably, donating or buying antique/vintage/second hand.
How will this be important? Being socially responsible with your money is an active choice, especially for Xennials, Millenials and Gen Z.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
What’s happening? United operated its first flight with a sustainable aviation fuel.
Why is this important? Greta Thurnberg doesn’t fly when she travels because of the environmental impact from fossil fuels, a sustainable fuel changes that dynamic. The flight was Washington DC to Chicago, used around 500 gallons of fuel made up of fats, cooking oils, and grease, produced by the company World Energy and accounted for 80% reduction in the flight’s carbon dioxide.
How will this be important? Still looking for commitments and scalability for sustainable fuel sources in aviation.
Gizmodo | United Flies First Plane With 100% ‘Sustainable Aviation Fuel’
Yelp! Fund to Help Winterization
What’s happening? Yelp! is supporting 10 small businesses in Austin and San Antonio with its new “Deck The Halls” winterization fund.
Why is this important? Recognizing the need for restaurants to winterize to prepare for another year with a new Winter Storm Uri and its effects.
How will this be important? Winterization and emergency preparedness is for everyone.
Milan Cuts Food Waste
What’s happening? Milan becomes the first major city in the world to establish policies to cut food waste by relying on public agencies, food banks, charities, NGOs, universities, and private businesses.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Why is this important? To make food systems more sustainable Milan also has a system that collects produce from supermarkets and companies, as well as purchased food aid, and gives it to hundreds of Milanese families in need.
How will this be important? With rising food costs, limiting food waste, and making food more sustainable becomes more crucial.
4 Day Work Week Success
What’s happening? A Canadian company, The Leadership Agency, tested a 4 day work week and found their employees more efficient and effective in the office when they had a 3 day weekend.
Why is this important? How, where and when we work is changing. Change is good.
How will this be important? The Leadership Agency is an employee recruitment company that can influence hiring and change the nature of hiring.
World’s Top Friendly Companies
What’s happening? Forbes loves a list. Case in point- the best companies for women… An illuminating list. #4 Swedish Construction firm, Skanska.
Why is this important? #1 Hershey Company. #16 HEB
How will this be important? The companies were examined based on the support they gave to women employees both working in offices and during remote work.
LGBTQIA+ Nursing Home
What’s happening? Sweden opened its first nursing home dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Why is this important? The nursing home creates a safe space for LGBTQIA+ Swedes to feel connected to the LGBTQIA+ world. It is a partnership with the nursing home and the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights.
How will this be important? All employees who work at this nursing home must undergo training from the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights
COVID Effect: Work Hours
What is happening? A new labor law in Portugal makes it illegal to contact workers, including remote workers, outside normal work hours.
Why is this important? Portugal will impose financial penalties if companies do contact their workers after hours.
How will this be important? The legislation also requires companies to cover the cost of remote work, such as equipment and increased electric bills
The Kindness Curriculum
What’s happening? The Kindness Curriculum is a free program designed for K-12 students designed by Kaplan in partnership with The Kindness Factory. It was first introduced to 69 pilot schools across Australia in May 2020 and expanded to nearly 3,000 schools across Australia and is now being introduced to the U.S.
Why is this important? Kindness has health benefits, lowers stress levels, lowers blood pressure, can be life saving.
How will this be important? Kindness Curriculum focuses on twelve core attributes: collaboration, compassion, empathy, gratitude, honesty, humility, humor, mindfulness meditation, perspective, positivity, self-acceptance, and trust.
What gives US Business its Competitive & Innovation Advantage?
What’s happening? Researchers are saying the US advantage in competitiveness and innovation is directly tied to the kindness of its business leadership. Be part of the future, not the past.
Why is this important? Humankindex reveals how a company that adopts kindness as a core value and leadership style increases its competitive advantage and its ability to innovate
How will this be important? The HUmankindex also tied kindness to a core value of a company as employees being 3.5X more likely to feel a shared purpose. And we’ve all seen the headlines about the Great Resignation being resolved when employees find an employer that enhances the employees purpose. There’s some cautionary information in here too: nearly one-third (30%) of workers say their company’s leadership has embraced kindness as a value less so since the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, 76% of workers say their company’s leadership has embraced the value of “profits before people” the same or more since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consider the Impact
What is happening? There is a story on social media that famed footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, was asked to donate a pair of cleats to a charity for a 10month old with a rare brain disorder.
Why is this important? He took his impact and then upped it. He gave the cleats directly to the child’s family and paid for the child’s surgery.
How will this be important? All the psychology articles point us to emerging from he pandemic with increased empathy and kindness, with an increased focus on social justice, and our impact. Here’s a famous guy who could have been perfectly fine donating his cleats, but instead he went beyond. It’s food for thought.
Nov. 13th: World Kindness Day
What’s happening? This Saturday, November 13th is World Kindness Day.
Why is this important? There’s a part of your brain in the cingulate cortex that increases its activity ONLY WHEN YOU ARE KIND.
How will this be important? This isn’t some cult of personality, but actual science that shows kindness increases your brain function.
Psychology Today | How to Be Kind: 5 Lessons From the Science of Kindness
Barber Teaches Inmates Barber Skills for Future Employment
What’s happening? A social media famous barber, @vicblends , took it upon himself to bring a trade school to 3 California prisons with the help of film producer + criminal justice reform advocate @scottbudnick1 and @cagovernor
Why is this important? he plans to scale up from 3 to 33 California prisons and then move his rehabilitative program to prisons nationwide.
How will this be important? It will bring greater dignity, connection and opportunity to men within the prison system.
2300 CEOs: Action for Diversity and Inclusion
What’s happening? In 2016, Tim Ryan of Price Waterhouse Cooper began forming a coalition of business leaders dedicated to diversity and inclusion. Now, he has 2300 CEOs signed onto the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion.
Why is this important?”CEOs who sign on make a pledge committing themselves to four specific actions: 1) make their workplaces areas of openness and trust to have difficult conversations about diversity and inclusion; 2) implement and expand unconscious bias training to help people understand and acknowledge their blind spots; 3) share best practices with each other and help other companies share stories of success and failure; and 4) share concrete inclusion and diversity plans with their own boards, or governing bodies, to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues are prioritized.”
How will this be important? This group keeps increasing in numbers. Here Ryan says the current wage increasing and great resignation play into this. “What is happening now, by coincidence, wages are on the rise as the balance of power has shifted. There are more jobs than there are people. We had an aging population for a couple of decades in the United States, but we cut off immigration both at the high end and the low end, and as a result, there’s a massive gap between supply and demand of workers, and that’s putting pressure on wages, which I think is a good thing. It’s happening through natural forces and I hope those gains hold.”
5 Metrics For Measuring Social Impact
What’s happening? The Board of Innovation is proposing 5 basic impact metrics that you can personalize for your business or client’s business.
Why is this important? Let’s look at the 5 metrics:
- Net Results Metrics like Volunteered hours, emission reduction percentages, or number of funded initiatives
- Net promoter Scores. Ask whether the impact would be recommended and find the rank the perception of your project amongst a specific community.
- Outreach Metrics like Social media and website metrics
- Inclusion & Diversity Metrics ” every social project needs to account for diversity, not only of beneficiaries, but of its staff too.”
- Feedback. Get it externally AND internally. Know how your community and your parters and your employees feel.
How will this be important? We’re all looking for modes and methods to quantity impact.
Board of Innovation | 5 metrics for social impact measurement
Is SRI the new ESG?
What’s happening? StateStreet’s European equity ETF is moving from ESG to SRI.
Why is this important? SRI is socially responsible investing. It excludes the following company types:
- alcohol
- adult entertainment
- all weapons
- gambling
- oil and gas
- nuclear power
- companies that rank in the top 10% in terms of emission intensities
How will this be important? This quantitative approach contrasts the often fluid nature of ESG determinations.
ETF Stream | State Street’s European equity ETF to ditch ESG index for SRI
Across the Pond: Digital ID with Sustainability Tracing
What is happening? HRH’s Fashion Taskforce launches groundbreaking Digital ID with Sustainability Protocols.
Why is this important? The digital ID will inform customers of the sustainability credentials of their purchases enabled by a QR code or blockchain-hosted token
How will this be important? Will allow manufacturers, brands, retailers, resellers and recyclers – to provide unprecedented transparency and traceability in connection with the products.
Local Governments + The Great Resignation
What’s happening? Workers who have resigned during the Great Resignation say they want a greater purpose. Creating purpose through strategic planning will help employees define their purpose.
Why is this important? By connecting each department in a local government through their goals and purpose makes employee purpose more clear. This can be achieved by aligning each strategic goal in the strategic plan to the annual budget goals.
How will this be important? Translate the purpose by increasing employee and management storytelling that illustrates the purpose and goals of the organization.
How Construction Can Embrace Sustainability
What’s happening? Building construction and operations account for 40% of all carbon emissions worldwide, making it the single most polluting industry
Why is this important? 11% of the carbon emissions are tied to manufacturing of construction materials making procurement a key to selecting more sustainable choices. The tips:
- Talk to clients about sustainability first
- Build trust with your community (talk to your neighbors)
- Your supply chain is your community
- Prioritize water protection
- Prioritize energy efficiency
- Reduce, reuse and recycle
- Have a sustainability plan
How will this be important? Sustainable procurement has long term gains. Make sure everyone knows sustainability is the long game
Construction Dive | 7 ways contractors can work sustainability into their procurement practices
Pension Divests from Fossil Fuels
What is happening? A large global pension system, ABP,the Dutch pension fund for civil servants and teachers, is selling its €15bn-worth of holdings in fossil fuel companies.
Why is this important? The pension set a policy to “no longer invest in producers of oil, gas and coal”
How will this be important? The fund says it will have no impact to returns as it moves fossil fuel investments to electricity companies, the car industry and aviation where it is anticipated that the pension will push sustainability.
The Guardian | One of world’s biggest pension funds to stop investing in fossil fuels
Spain bans the sale of vegetables in plastic containers
What’s happening? Starting in 2023, Spain will prohibit the sale of fruit and vegetables under 1.5 kg in plastic wrapping
Why is this important? Packaging will shift to consumers, who will able to use biodegradable packaging or reusable bags
How will this be important? Who will be next…..
Portland OR: Time Off for pregnancy-related bereavement issues.
What’s happening? Portland OR is offering 3 days of bereavement leave for abortions, miscarriages, stillbirths, or other pregnancy-related bereavement issues.
Why is this important? ‘A policy like this is a really important step forward in providing that kind of support to employees and in recognition of the fact that we aren’t just robots.’ – reproductive rights advocate Andrea Miller
How will this be important? Pittsburgh passed a similar ordinance earlier this year.
Bonjour Telosa!
What is happening? A billionaire wants to build a “woke city” called Telosa somewhere in the desert. To live there one must apply and meet diversity and inclusion standards.
Why is this important? Every person in Telosa will have equal access to education, healthcare, & safe environments, regardless of income.
How will this be important? The Founder, Marc Lore, ” is aiming for Telosa to be a diverse place housing various races, genders, sexual orientations, religions and political affiliations.” Remember this isn’t the first wealthy person wanting to build an ideal city- Bill Gates wants one outside of Phoenix and Jeffrey Berns bought 67,000 acres in Nevada for a smart city.
Bonjour! Climate First Bank
What’s happening? Climate First Bank now has 2 branches in Florida, its home state. The bank finances climate friendly projects like solar and those that support environmental sustainability.
Why is this important? Look at their mission and where the shareholder priority is, this reflects a shift back to a stakeholder economy, and out of Milton Friedman’s shareholder economy.
The mission statement:
our mission is to do the right thing for:
- Our people
- Our planet
- Our community
- Our shareholders
How will this be important? “At Climate First Bank our vision is to reimagine finance as a force for good and become the most impactful bank contributing to the drawdown of atmospheric CO2. Backed by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, Climate First Bank is a full-service community bank offering personal and commercial banking services with a focus on environmental sustainability. We do our part to preserve America’s irreplaceable ecosystem by providing residents and businesses with convenient, specialized green loan options for everything ranging from rooftop solar to renewable energy to building retrofits, EV charging, or even purchasing certified carbon offsets.”
Employee Wellness Programs Move to Wage Increases
What’s happening? A review of 5000 employees and 85 Business leader interviews by Harvard Business Review revealed that employee mental health, physical health and financial health wellness programs are not well received by employees.
Why is this important? If the programs offer no value to the employee, then the employee will not utilize the services. Effective programs will address what employees want and will be substantively helpful and convenient for employees.
How will this be important? in light of the high number of resignations, the highest and best use of these wellness program funds could be in wage increases.
Poll: Are women treated fairly in the US?
What’s happening? Gallup released a poll on the treatment of women in the U.S. Here we go with this ball of fun:
- 53% overall Americans are very or somewhat satisfied with the treatment of women in society (A RECORD LOW)
- overall 44% of women are satisfied
- overall 61% of men say women are treated fairly
- 33% of women say they have equal job opportunities
- 61% of men think women have equal job opportunities
Why is this important? As a writer who was interviewed said, “It’s not only that women aren’t treated well. Sometimes we’re invisible,”
How will this be important? The deviations among women will be telling:
- 46% of white women said they were satisfied with women’s treatment
- 38% of Black women agreed
- 43% of Hispanic women agreed
- 72% of Republican women were satisfied
- 32% of Democratic women
Banning Animal Testing in Cosmetics
What’s happening? Mexico is the 1st country in North America to ban cosmetics testing on animals.
Why is this important? Mexico is the 41st country int he world to ban cosmetics testing on animals. European Union banned animal testing on cosmetics in 2013, followed by India, Australia, New Zealand, and 16 other countries.
How will this be important? The Mexico ban passed its Senate unanimously after more than 13 million signed a petition supporting the ban.
Diversity + Cannabis Business. What’s working & what’s not.
What’s happening? Some say the opening of legalized cannabis hasn’t been open for small and diverse businesses.
Why is this important? The legislation that legalizes cannabis operations has steep license & impact fees that keep small operators out of the industry. Massachusetts have start up costs and impact fees are near $1 million. Some sates like Washington have 25% taxes on each level of the business (growing, distributing, and retail) in addition to sales tax.
How will this be important? In the last 2 years, while tax revenues increase from cannabis, minority executives in cannabis have dropped 15 points to 13%. To turn this around, the start up costs and impacts to small business operators are to be addressed.
Governing | A Shrinking Opportunity for Equity in the Weed-o-Sphere
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.
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