Conscious Biz

Conscious Content: San Diego Life Changing post, Steve Farber new book launch, and more!

September 27, 2019

Hello CCSD Community

Here is our bi-weekly Conscious Capitalism content share. We hope you find it informative and inspirational.

In the news

In case you missed it 181 of America’s largest businesses agreed that the purpose of business is to create value for ALL Stakeholders. Yes, consumers and younger workforce are calling for business to be better. But the notion that companies are meant to serve more than just the interests of the almighty shareholder is not, in fact, new at all. If curious, this Quartz article gives a good, short summary of the history of business, how we got to where we are today, and some hope for the future.

Impact

Conscious Capitalism San Diego is proud to be a guest contributor to the San Diego Life. Changing. blog. San Diego Life. Changing. is a campaign by the San Diego Regional EDC to highlight San Diego’s growing innovation economy and startup opportunities as a way to drive economic growth in the region. Our first post shares an intro to Conscious Capitalism, Conscious Capitalism San Diego, and one of our local Conscious Capitalist Companies here in San Diego, WD-40 Company. Keep a lookout for a few more guest posts from us as we highlight other Conscious San Diego businesses.

Informative Read

Steve Farber, author of The Radical Leap, The Radical Edge, and Greater Than Yourself, has just released his latest book. It’s called Love Is Just Damn Good Business. The book tosses aside the touchy-feely notions of love in business and recognizes the real power it holds. Love is not only appropriate in the context of business, it’s the foundation of great leadership, and, therefore, the very foundation of a thriving, competitive enterprise. When love is part of an organization’s framework and operationalized in its culture, employees and customers feel genuinely valued.

And in that spirit, you’re invited to the official San Diego book launch party sponsored by the Chamber of Purpose. Join us on Friday, September 27 from 7 – 10 PM at Corporate Alliance of San Diego. There’ll be food and mingling and great company. And, of course, Steve will read selections from the book. Please RSVP HERE.

Inspiration

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Conscious Content: Interface’s Mission Zero, green jet fuel, and how to make waves at work

August 9, 2019

Hello CCSD Community

Here is our bi-weekly Conscious Capitalism content share. We hope you find it informative and inspirational.

In the news

Aviation currently accounts for approximately 2 percent of global emissions and is projected to grow. Finding a way to replace fossil-based jet fuel with a renewable alternative will be key for the future of the aviation industry and our planet. Luckily some companies are seeing the importance of this and are investing in our future. Velocys is a renewable fuels firm which created a method of transforming household waste into sustainable transport fuels. Shell and British Airways are funding $3.5 million to build a U.K. refinery plant to make green jet fuels out of household waste. Learn more about their initiatives here.

Impact

What happens when a global public company in one of the world’s dirtiest industries decides to become a leader in environmental stewardship? Well, a lot. Interface, Inc. sells high-quality carpets. They are also committed to what they call “Mission Zero” – their promise to eliminate any negative impact the company may have on the environment by the year 2020. And they are well on their way to doing so. Interface not only disrupted their industry but have proven to other large, international organizations, that they too can do business better.

Informative Read + Worksheet

You might not have an official “leadership” title at work. But you can still make waves, according to Bethany Hilton. Check out her blog and go through her worksheet. You will learn how to respect the existing boundaries of your company while still testing the limits. Don’t let a title, or lack thereof, hold you back.

Inspiration

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CCSD Partnership With The Responsible Business Summit West 2019

August 8, 2019

Lead the circular, clean tech economy

Dear Conscious Capitalism San Diego Community,

We are proud to announce our partnership with Ethical Corporation and their upcoming Responsible Business Summit West 2019. This summit will take place October 9 – 10 at the San Diego Hilton Mission Valley.

As part of this partnership, Ethical Corporation is offering a 10% discount to all CCSD Members. If interested in taking advantage of this discount and are already a member, please email us at kori@ccsandiego.org. If you are not yet a member, and would like to become one, please click HERE for more info.

The Responsible Business Summit West will challenge 250+ CEOs, sustainability leaders, Investors, Government representatives and NGOs to show how they’re going to leverage new technologies and investments to deliver the blueprint for the future economy – over two days you will learn how to move from dialogue to action on the key opportunities that lie ahead.

Innovators and experts confirmed to join Company include:

Assistant Secretary-General, UN Environment
Chief Sustainability Officer, HPE
President & CEO, Oxfam America
Chief Environment Officer, Microsoft
President & General Counsel, DSM North America
President, CDP North America
President & CEO, Fairtrade USA
Co-Vice Chair, SASB Standards Board
Executive Vice President and Group President, Sempra Energy
Chief Sustainability Officer, FedEx
Chief Sustainability Officer, MetLife
Chief Operating Officer, Partnership on AI

We’re in the midst of transformation. The fourth industrial revolution coupled with the necessity to reduce global warming to 1.5C requires all stakeholders pulling in one direction, with grave consequences for failure.

This also presents an opportunity for business to innovate, invest and collaborate. The opportunity to deliver technologies and circular strategies which accelerate the move to a sustainable economy, conserve the natural environment and deliver business success. Grasping the chance presented whilst simultaneously responding to investor demand to be more transparent on ESG related risks is no straightforward task.

The latest agenda, along with the up-to-date speaker line-up, can be seen here: https://eloqua.ethicalcorp.com/LP=24094

RBS West is part of the Responsible Business Summit Series, a platform of events where senior practitioners from across the globe meet and share practical ideas on how business can lead the change to a new sustainable future. There is no fluff, just actionable insights and honest discussions on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

CCSD hopes to see you there! #RBSWEST

brochure download: https://eloqua.ethicalcorp.com/LP=24094

Conscious content: social accounting, cure for stupidity, LAZ Parking, plus more!

July 19, 2019

Hello CCSD Community

Here is our bi-weekly Conscious Capitalism content share. We hope you find it informative and inspirational.

In the news

Have you heard of Social Accounting? If not, no worries. You can learn about it here in this June ASU article. According to ASU’s Elizabeth Castillo, “social accounting is a holistic way for the firm to strategize and communicate how it creates value for its stakeholders and society.” Sounds like a powerful tool to us! Several countries and companies are starting to practice and see the benefits of Social Accounting as well (see the last paragraph in the linked article above).

Impact

Purpose is a hot topic these days. You’ve probably talked about (or wondered about) your org’s Purpose within the last few months. Higher Purpose is one of Conscious Capitalism’s four tenets. But what really is corporate Purpose? Or better yet, Dane Smith over at FSG challenges, what is a corporate purpose worth having? He shares that companies typically fall short in 4 main ways:

1. It lacks significance
2. It lacks authenticity
3. It isn’t profitable
4. It isn’t implemented seriously

Informative Read

Most people aren’t intentionally stupid. But we all have our stupid moments, whether we are conscious of it or not. Eric M. Baily may have the cure in his new book, The Cure for Stupidity: Using Brain Science to Explain Irrational Behavior at Work. It’s the #1 New Release on Amazon right now, so maybe people are channeling their smarts when deciding to read this.

In Practice

If you ever parked in a public parking lot, you’ve likely parked at one time or another in a LAZ parking lot. We are proud to have them as part of our CCSD community and to share that they are Conscious Capitalism, Inc.’s Featured Partner of the Month.

LAZ Parking is a parking management, transportation, and mobility company founded in 1981 by three childhood friends. Today, LAZ operates over one million spaces in thousands of locations and provides parking management services in several different industries.

You can read more about LAZ and how they practice Conscious Capitalism in their CCI business profile page. AND watch a video on their partnership with Ten By Three, a charity that reduces poverty in developing countries by using a unique Prosperity Wages model. You will for sure get the warm fuzzies.

Inspiration

Forty-one student teams came away with a total of $57,000 at this year’s Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge hosted in San Diego. Team’s social innovation ideas included solutions in wireless technology impact, the diversity of female voices, leadership in sustainable business ventures, and new ways to use recycled tires. Winning teams will be posted on the link above soon.

CCSD was a proud sponsor and is excited to welcome 17 new student members to our local chapter.

Help us WELCOME: Momo Bertrand, Charles Bullard, Kyle Duffy, Grace Obrien, Tyler Schiller, Nisreen Al Sabie, Robbie Beyer, Ana Dominguez, Blake Dunkleberger, Matteo Hernandez, Austin Hirsh, Amy Kame, Camille Morales, Julia Stewart, Ian Western, Casey Myers, Patricia Cosulich

photo cred: USD Center for Peace and Commerce Fowler GSIC facebook photos)

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Conscious Content: Chobani Founder’s anti-CEO Playbook, A&W Winning Business, Regenerative Farming, Plus More

June 21, 2019

Hello CCSD Community

Here is our bi-weekly Conscious Capitalism content share. We hope you find it informative and inspirational.

In the news

The annual Milken Institute’s Global Conference was held earlier this month. A theme that emerged during the conference was around the need to reform capitalism. If not, the consequences will be dire. You can get a short summary here in this LA Times article with the more racy title, Reform capitalism or face revolution, billionaires are told at Milken Conference.

Impact

How and where you choose to spend your money matters. Organizations that have a higher purpose and live it through the actions they take are winning a lot more business than those that are not. Read how A&W won this CEO and father’s business by living its higher purpose in this Forbes article.

Informative Watch

“In an appeal to corporate leaders worldwide, Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya calls for an end to the business playbook of the past — and shares his vision for a new, “anti-CEO playbook” that prioritizes people over profits. “This is the difference between profit and true wealth,” he says.”

Inspiration

We had the pleasure of being with Dr. Zach Bush, MD at our May 28th event. His research, science, and stories around our biggest health crisis were both worrisome and inspirational. Check out what he and his team are up to at Farmers Footprint and learn how they plan to regenerate 5 million acres of farmland by 2025. You can also watch their 20-minute documentary here.

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5-10-19 Conscious Content Friday

May 31, 2019

Hello CCSD Community

Here is our bi-weekly Conscious Capitalism content share. We hope you find it informative and inspirational.

In the news

Have businesses contributed to some of our modern health and well-being issues? To simply put it, yes. Could businesses also be the solution and betterment of our health and well-being? According to this HBR article, the answer is yes AND could also be a competitive advantage for organizations.

Impact

San Diego is 1 of 5 cities out of 143 to win a $3 million grant from the AdvancingCities Challenge supported by JPMorgan Chase. This is a 5-year initiative focused on inclusive growth and greater economic opportunity. San Diego will use this grant to fund a new collaborative program called Advancing San Diego.

“The Advancing San Diego program is going to be a game-changer and will provide resources to underserved communities that need it most,” said Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer. “It’s going to lift up our small businesses, prepare San Diegans for skilled jobs and make a real difference in people’s lives. It’s also going to level the playing field so that no matter where you grow up in San Diego, you have access to opportunity.”

If you are a business or educator interested in participating in the Advancing San Diego initiative, fill out the quick form HERE.

Informative Listen

Check out episode nine of the World Changing Women Podcast and hear Eileen Fisher share how she turned her hand made garments to a $300 million dollar brand. And continues to challenge her industry by working toward becoming one of the most sustainable clothing brands in the world, becoming an ESOP, and practicing a collaborative leadership structure.

In Practice

This week we are excited to highlight local San Diego Conscious Capitalism start-up, reVessel.

reVessel’s purpose is to change the course of human and environmental health by shaping a sustainable future for generations to come. The company was born out of a need for thoughtful alternatives to safely travel with food. To kick the dependence on convenience food, single-use packaging, and chemicals, they developed their flagship product known as the Adventure Kit.

In addition to climate neutrality within their first year of operations, they are committed to global impact with a portion of proceeds going back to funding the conversion of chemically-dependent farmland to regenerative organic practices and ocean rehabilitation and preservation. A portion of proceeds of their “Spring into Action” pre-sales campaign will go back to local organizations moving these missions forward. So Spring into Action HERE and pre-order your Adventure Kit before the end of May!

Inspiration

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4-26-19 Conscious Content Friday

May 10, 2019

Hello CCSD Community

Here is our bi-weekly Conscious Capitalism content share. We hope you find it informative and inspirational.

In the news

Ray Dalio, Founder of Bridgewater Associates, has been trending in the news lately. He has joined the likes of other heavy hitters in the financial world, like Larry Fink of Blackrock, calling for a need to reform capitalism. You can read about it directly from him in his Linkedin articles. These are quite long and technical but are direct from him. A shorter summary could be found here.

Impact

The Conscious Company Leaders Forum took place earlier this week in Northern California. If you were no there, that’s ok. You can get a sense of all the highlights and experience people had here. There are some good links to leaders and organizations that shared their stories throughout the forum. And great images of people connecting. Enjoy!

Informative Listen

Last week Raj Sisodia talked to The Work Hard Play Hard podcast on the power of Conscious Capitalism in business and life. Take a listen here.

Inspiration

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4-12-19 Conscious Content Friday

April 25, 2019

Hello CCSD Community

Here is our bi-weekly Conscious Capitalism content share. We hope you find it informative and inspirational.

In the news

Fastco’s 3rd annual World Changing Ideas is here. The winners include 17 solutions to solve some of the planets real problems. World Changing Ideas “celebrates businesses, policies, and nonprofits that are poised help shift society to a more sustainable and more equitable future.”

Impact

Conscious Company Media’s new issue is out. It highlights 20 game-changing founders of color and what their conscious companies are up to to create more equity and inclusion in the world. Click here to take a peak inside this issue. CCSD Members receive a discount to access full content and membership. Ask us how.

Informative Read

Hiring on Purpose: How the Y Scouts Method Is Revolutionizing the Search for Leaders. Sometimes the candidate who looks ideal on paper may not be right for your business. This book helps you “look beyond the resume and focus on human factors like values, vision, and purpose to acquire and retain leaders that will drive results and move your business forward.””

In Practice

This week we are excited to highlight local San Diego Conscious Capitalism company, Mamma Chia.

Mamma Chia is an organic chia-based food and beverage that offers only the highest quality chia products that provide vitality and energy. Mamma Chia’s mission is to share the Magic of Chia®. They are a conscious and sustainable company that honors and uplifts both the soul of humanity and the soul of the planet.

Founder and CEO, Janie Hoffman, discovered the power of chia seeds during her own health journey. She wanted the Mamma Chia product to not only have a positive health impact on customers lives but also have a product that prompted a positive environmental impact. Learn more about their story here.

Inspiration

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3-22-19 Conscious Content Friday

April 12, 2019

Hello CCSD Community

Here is our bi-weekly Conscious Capitalism content share. We hope you find it informative and inspirational.

In the news

The rise of Conscious Capitalism from the perspective of Louis Gagnon, CEO of Total Brain. “In short, the idea behind conscious capitalism is that capitalism, in and of itself, must change if it is to prevail as an economic system. It argues that prioritizing the interests of shareholders above all other stakeholders can no longer work. It demands corporations use their resources more wisely. It requires that all stakeholders be truly considered in decision-making.”

Impact

As the head of Heineken USA and Heineken Mexico, Dolf van der Brink has learned to use the power of people and purpose to apply smart, impactful, and profitable practices. “By letting go of fear and stereotypes, something van den Brink has had to do multiple times in his career, he says, he has learned an important lesson “A big part of humanity is suppressed in organizations and bureaucracies. But when you can find a way to tap in that, and appeal to people’s passions and unleash their energies, amazing things can be done.” Read more about specific examples here in this FastCo article.

Informative Read

Brené Brown does it again with her new book: Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. This books was developed from over 7 years of research with transformative global leaders. Brené writes, “Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas, and has the courage to develop that potential.”

In Practice

Branch Out Market is a curated social impact market. They partner with nonprofits who are teaching a skill, working with women, young artisans, or refugees to help create economic opportunities and income streams for their projects. By partnering with these organizations they hope to help them focus on their missions and help in creating a stable and reliable access to market. Please read their stories online and browse through the market as if you were walking the streets of Guatemala, Tanzania, South Africa, India, and more combined!

Inspiration

Larissa Fawkner, our Business Membership co-Chair and outreach extraordinaire has been out and about all over our community. She inspires us to share and serve every day. Make sure if you see her around you say hi and play her very creative Conscious Capitalism Jeopardy game.

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3-1-19 Conscious Content Friday

March 22, 2019

Hello CCSD Community

Here is our bi-weekly Conscious Capitalism content share. We hope you find it informative and inspirational.

In the news

It is no secret that the apparel industry has a huge environmental and social footprint. There are several newer, more environmental and ethically friendly apparel organizations popping up. However, four older brands, like Fruit of the Loom and Hanes, have also committed to revamp their strategies to reduce their negative impact on the world and support their consumer demands.

Impact

Informative Read

Get Your Head Out of Your Bottom Line: And Build Your Brand on Purpose, by Bethany Andell. This book explores what could happen if executives shift their focus from solely improving the bottom line to the company’s long-term health and non-monetary impact on the world. And how to do it!

In Practice

From the founder:
“I am a strong believer in capitalism as a resourceful and efficient way to solve the worlds challenges. Don’t get me wrong, we need charity, but we also need jobs. After working with farmers in South Africa for a few years I saw how their sense of purpose was critical to their success and happiness. My job was to bridge the gap to market, with each opportunity our farmers worked harder and were able to improve their skills and resourcefulness. I joined Conscious Capitalism because I knew that in order for Branch Out Market to be successful I needed to meet and collaborate with like-minded individuals. This is how we will make the world a better place!” – Rachel McKinney

Every partner we represent has a story, every product they create makes an impact.