Continuing the discussion on branding: As a Bentley University MBA alum, I am happy to compliment Bentley for its fine job branding itself as an institution that understands and deeply values the importance of business ethics, leadership and social responsibility in helping to solve global challenges, as evidenced by its outstanding 5th Annual Leadership Forum, co-produced once again with TIME magazine.
The Annual Leadership Forum brings together innovative business professionals, NGO executives, thought leaders and more to discuss and share successes on the positive impact enlightened business can have and is having on our society, our environment, our global quality of life. The Forum is capped off by a luncheon honoring student winners of the Tomorrow 25, an international competition honoring 25 outstanding high school juniors with a series of special events on the Bentley campus.
Speaking to the concept of personal branding, the Bentley brand, consisting of its longtime business pragmatism melded with a very strong sense of business ethics, integrity and responsibility is one I am pleased to claim as part of my personal brand.
And I am hardly the only alum who feels that way: Fellow Bentley alum and social entreprenuer Nancy Gallant recently wrote a fine post about this year’s Leadership Forum on the Bentley University Alumni LinkedIn Group, which she has allowed me to share here. I share Nancy’s “gushy” feelings (aka pride!) in Bentley University for conveying its inspiring values by hosting such important events:
As a social entrepreneur, I found the speakers, their stories and their message inspiring and empowering. And, the Tomorrow 25 “kids” that were introduced, don’t even get me started!
The Leadership Summit is the perfect illustration of Bentley’s dedication to “doing well by doing good.” Given the recent (and, I believe, inevitable) upheaval in the economy, I am hopeful that, in addition to Bentley’s current student population, Bentley alums will help lead the way toward conscious capitalism, a concept with considerable merit and in need of passionate support. Given their leadership role in business ethics, among other things, it only makes sense that Bentley would be a major part of the conversation to promote positive change, socially and environmentally, while embracing and espousing the benefits of a capitalistic economy in which ethics, morality, transparency and stewardship to our future generations, those less fortunate, and our environment are all part of the equation…
I could go on (and on). If you are interested in digging deeper, your time would be well spent checking out a couple of related links:
Whole Foods President John Mackey’s commencement speech 2008 at Bentley
For those who may have missed it, Bentley has a partnership program in support of City Year that should serve as a model to all institutions of higher learning.
Bentley grad Joe Marchese, the speaker at the Tomorrow 25 Luncheon, is walking the walk of conscious capitalism through the creation of his SocialVibe website that harnesses the potential for social media to serve as a positive changemaker, simply by helping organizations drive profits by promoting their socially responsible initiatives.
It’s with pride that I watch Bentley continue to raise the bar and lead the way in ethically-based, cutting-edge business standards that promote and encourage business initiatives and innovation that, in President Gloria Larson’s words, “are both good for business and the broader social good.”
If I sound gushy about Bentley, that’s how I truly feel. Being my authentic self is a great part of values-driven business – working each day in service to a mission that is in synch with my own values and aspirations to be a part of the positive change that is upon us. Not bad work if you can find it or create it!
Meanwhile, Bentley University’s 5th Annual Global Business Ethics Symposium is set for Monday, May 18!
Update: One of the best examples of business for social good profiled at the Leadership Forum was World of Good, presented by founder and CEO Priya Haji. Priya Haji established a new global distribution system for ethically developed products by over 150 artisan cooperatives in 34 countries around the world. These products are already sold through retail partners like Whole Foods Market, with new partnerships with Hallmark and Disney in progress, as well as online via World of Good on EBay. View Priya Haji’s introduction to World of Good and her participation in a panel discussion via the Leadership Forum home page.
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