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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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A Better World, Inc. summary
Alice Korngold
How Companies Profit by Solving Global Problems...Where Governments Cannot
19 mins
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A Better World, Inc.
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Key idea 1 of 8
Governments and NGOs both fail to solve the world’s most challenging problems.
When you imagine organizations that may be able to solve the world’s thorniest, most complex problems, you probably think of NGOs. But NGOs have serious drawbacks.
They tend to lack sufficient resources, for a start. They’re usually short of money, and don’t have staff with the necessary skills in finance, social media or fundraising. They also often rely on volunteers who may be motivated, but not necessarily qualified.
The international NGO mothers2mothers, for example, was quite effective at first, but struggled as it continued to grow. They succeeded in the end, but only through the help of the global corporation Pfizer, which provided funds, human resources and technology.
Governments also often fail to solve serious problems because they have conflicts of interest. Just think of all the numerous international conferences that have failed to produce serious, game-changing agreements. The 2012 Rio +20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, for instance, only resulted in a non-binding agreement.
There’s often tension when nations come together like this, as governments have to weigh their own country’s interests against those of the rest of the group. Why should China agree to enforce higher environmental standards when its economy relies on industry and manufacturing?
Governments also usually don’t set long-term goals, because they have short-term mandates. Politicians are mostly just interested in getting re-elected, after all. So they work to satisfy the immediate needs of the voting public instead of concentrating on lasting projects.
When unemployment is high, the public probably won’t be happy if the government invests in long-term scientific research or healthcare. They’ll want the government to invest in something that will give them a job right now!
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What is A Better World, Inc. about?
Many of us are quick to assume that big corporations are the enemies of the environment. A Better World, Inc. explains how the opposite is true: companies are in a better position to solve some of the world’s biggest problems than many governments and campaign groups. This book outlines why, and lists the steps companies can take to improve our planet, while raising their profits at the same time.
Best quote from A Better World, Inc.
Climate change threatens national security.
—Alice Korngold
Who should read A Better World, Inc.?
- Anyone interested in climate change and green issues
- Anyone intrigued by Corporate Social Responsibility
- Anyone who wants to know how business can raise profits while improving the world
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