We are living in a time marked by rapid change, in which information seems infinite and the unimaginable seems possible. These changes have caused a transformation in the business sector – both by introducing the disruptions of digital technology, and by sparking a newfound focus on the social impact of business itself.
We are all facing this reality – from leaders at Fortune 500 companies to founders of social enterprises – and the first question we must ask ourselves is… why? Why are we seeing such widespread societal change, and what does it mean for businesses operating in this new reality?
The driving force behind this shift cannot be attributed to one singular event. Instead, it’s due to an unprecedented combination of access to information, changing public perception, political shifts and optimism. We know that in the United States, for example, 95% of college grads consider a sense of purpose at least moderately important in their work, while globally, two thirds of people are willing to pay more for products and services provided by companies committed to positive social and environmental impact.