Purpose is the corporate buzzword of today, with politicians, the public and even shareholders calling on businesses to serve wider society. But purpose is also controversial, because companies have a responsibility to deliver returns to investors. Is there a trade-off between purpose and profit, or is it possible for companies to achieve both? Join the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise for a virtual talk featuring London Business School Finance Professor Alex Edmans, who will critically examine the case for purposeful business using rigorous evidence and real-life examples to show what works – and, importantly, what doesn’t. He will discuss practical ways for businesses of all sizes to put purpose into practice, how investors and citizens can play their part, and how we can distinguish businesses that are truly purposeful from those that are greenwashing. Professor Edmans will draw on his new book, “Grow the Pie: How Great Companies Deliver Both Purpose and Profit,” which was named to the Financial Times Business Books of the Year for 2020. 

For more information on Professor Edmans, visit his website here.

---

• Keyword(s):
• esg 45
• stakeholder capitalism 57