Chris and Yassmin’s guests discuss the transformation of the industrial world to one of networks and information, requiring new solutions to essential social goods such as trust and privacy. But governments have yet to develop reliable solutions.

The past consensus was that if basic rights to security and self-expression were protected, markets would deliver economic justice. Now we must accept that people who cannot find work to feed themselves cannot engage effectively in political processes.

Consequently, people will increasingly rely on networks to influence corporations to shift the social contract and recreate these vital elements of society.

Learning outcomes

• Leaders of corporations and financial institutions are shifting their views on the importance of the private sector helping to meet social needs, such as sustainability, as well as business goals.
• Companies that listen, experiment, and explore how to act on global challenges will have an advantage in the talent market.
• Social and business goals need not be in competition, nor even separate, but part of a single plan that supports customers’ desire for organizations to act on and engage in global challenges – but this must be embedded in business behavior and core to the organization’s purpose.

For your convenience, full text transcript of this podcast is also available. Read the transcript.