San Diego, buckle your seat belts.

As a city, once again, we’re going to be leaders.

We did it with wireless, conventions, biotech, education, and fish tacos. Now we’re poised to be frontrunners in another new wave of business.

The question is: Are you ready to join us?

Let me introduce Conscious Capitalism.

The movement began with a book by John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, and thought leader Raj Sisodia.

We call it CC for short. This January, the founding Conscious Capitalism San Diego Board of Directors was created, and they honored me with the appointment of President of the Board. We will be the 20th Conscious Capitalism chapter internationally.

The definition of CC is simple. It means being in business for the greater good. When you engage in CC you:

• Consider all your stakeholders when making decisions
• Become a Conscious Leader yourself
• Have a Values-Based Culture
• Are in business for a Higher Purpose (rather than just for making profits)

I’m glad CC exists. Before I was introduced to the organization, I founded three international software companies, won 2013 Social Entrepreneur of the Year, and was on several lists of the fastest growing companies and the best places to work. Of course I was proud of those achievements. But strangely enough, I also felt a little alone.

In my own way I was doing my best to run my companies consciously. I treated everyone with respect. I looked out for all of my stakeholders, from my vendors to my larger community. Together we defined and lived by a positive set of values.

But it was hard. Although I felt this was the “right” thing to do, I was flying by the seat of my pants. As the leader of these three companies, I was charged with balancing the ups and downs of practical business matters with the vision of a conscious workplace. I faced challenges for which there were often no easy answers. Most of the time I was sure there had to be better ways of doing things, but I didn’t even know where to start looking.

Maybe you’re in the same boat today. You’re running or involved in a local business, and you’ve also got a sense of what’s really important in life. Things like personal, customer, and employee satisfaction. Respect for the environment and community. Values that go beyond the market value of your company. And now you want to make sure these two things aren’t mutually exclusive.

When I found CC, I knew it was the path forward for me—and my companies.

I know it can be the same for you.

Many of us already understand that running a conscious business is the best way to truly effect change in the world. And now you can implement the principles of conscious capitalism—principles that will drive your business to greater success while enriching your community—with the support of Conscious Capitalism San Diego.

These days I have a “tribe,” a community where I can learn, share, and grow. It’s the sort of mutually supportive environment I would’ve loved to have had back in the day—and which I am honored to be a part of now. When you join CCSD, you can have the same thing.

In our first year at CCSD, we have three objectives:

• Inspire
• Create Community
• Educate.

When you join CCSD, you become part of a community of like-minded people. This is a place where you can share, where you’ll feel valued and included.

It’s a place to be inspired hearing what other people are doing—and to share your own inspirations.

And it’s a place to get educated, to learn from best-in-class teachers about ways to incorporate the principles of CC into your business.

You may already be engaging many, if not all, of the principles of CC in your own way. But how much support do you get in doing them? Are you utilizing best practices? Are there ways for you to be more efficient, more productive? As part of the community at CCSD you’ll find the support—and answers—that can help drive your business to success.

Study after study shows that conscious companies outperform others. But more than that, running a conscious business just feels like the right thing to do.

I hope you’ll join us in this inaugural year of Conscious Capitalism San Diego. It’s certainly a journey I look forward to taking.

As a member of CCSD you can help spread the world-changing principles of Conscious Capitalism. Support your business, your employees and customers, your community and yourself. Join today.

Join today as a Student Leader, Thought Leader, or Business Leader. In addition to our thought-leading speakers you can engage in our unique peer-based learning. Click here to learn more about membership.

If your company wants to be Corporate Partner and be affiliated with this great cause, we have benefits that can help you differentiation, hiring, retention, and exposure. (Note that only organizations that are in line with our principles will be accepted as a Corporate Partner.)

At minimum, click here to get on the mailing list, as we have some powerful events coming up.

And if you have an interest in becoming a volunteer click here, and if you have a suggestion / connection to a Conscious business leader or thought leader that we may want to have speak, let us know by clicking here.

Be a leader yourself. Join this worthy cause. Get the word out. Share this on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and let your tribe know that you are a Conscious Capitalist.

And reach out to me directly. I want to hear what would bring value to YOU. president@ccsandiego.org

Consciously,

R. Michael Anderson
President, Conscious Capitalism San Diego
president@ccsandiego.org
(more about me → http://executivejoy.com/about/ )