Compassionate Capitalism

Warren Buffet, Bill Gates Source:tatianamasis.wordpress.com

WHEN THE WORLD'S most successful entrepreneur gives up control of the Fortune 100 company he founded to devote his prodigious skills for innovation to resolving global poverty, the world takes notice. When the world’s most successful capitalist joins forces with him, the business community stands at attention. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett shocked the Adam Smith world as they earmarked billions for world-wide social entrepreneurship. Making money and making a difference wasn’t just for "fringe zealots" anymore, their actions brought a Good Business mandate to mainstream capitalism. Gates called for “capitalism for the 21st century.” At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Bill Gates challenged modern business leaders to pursue his brand of “creative” capitalism by using “the power of the marketplace” to help the poor.

He's the Boss

GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt

PERHAPS REMARKABLY, Jeffrey Immelt ranks his number one priority as General Electric’s Chief Executive Officer as “personal responsibility” according to Fast Company magazine. Immelt stated, "Enron and 9/11 marked the end of an era of individual freedom and the beginning of personal responsibility. You lead today by building teams and placing others first. It's not about you." That view is a refreshing about-face from predecessor, Jack Welch and his 1980’s style "profit first, people last" capitalism. Immelt's perspective represents the remarkable change that has occured in business in the new millenium. His  clear mandate of personal responsibility is evident in GE's environmentally concerned efforts such as the innovative ecofriendly product initiative: Ecomagination. (see Profits and Purpose)

RETURN TO TOP