Gates and Creative Capitalism

This past week happened to be the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. While I never did figure out (or have the time) to film my idea for the YouTube contest, it was interesting to hear Bill Gates speech about just the idea I had. Although he certainly said it better than I ever could, my thoughts were based on the premise that Social Enterprise business practices needed to be adopted by the global elite corporations. Gates urged those in attendance to start making money AND helping the poorest residents around the world. It is an important premise that is slowing becoming more accepted as a business practice. You can make money and help fill a gap for the disadvantaged. There is not a product or business in the world that does not have something to offer in the process of creating a better world.

Corporate Social Responsibility policies have been all the rage the past few years, as consumers become more interested in where their money is going and what it is doing. The 'Green Movement' has almost every product that now enters the market bearing the term green on the packaging. It makes sense. People are paying for products that do more for the world we live in. It will not stop there and it shouldn't stop there.

Bill Gates and his foundation have begun to make inroads into some of the worlds greatest health crises, and it is a significant move that he begin to pass along the wisdom that he has learned as he makes the move from his corporate chair at Microsoft to the philanthropic chair over at his foundation. It is interesting to see the values he now holds. A man, with all the money in the world, has started to give it out to the those less fortunate and while I don't know personally, I would bet my money on that he sees that the money doesn't make him happier. Having an amount above and beyond what is necessary is useless and it is far better off being used on the people who desperately need it.

This is the message that all businesses need to hear. Money in the end will not keep your business from being a failure. It will not make its stakeholders rest easier. It will not help anyone sleep at night or look themselves in the mirror. The world needs more and deserves more from those who get so much. If you are a business owner think about what your organization can do to make the world a better place.