Since the 18th century, revolution and rapid advancement have reshaped civilization. The industrial revolution brought urbanisation and mass production whilst the technological revolution saw innovations like electricity and telecommunications connect people from across the world. Today the digital revolution, characterised by the internet, computers, and AI, continues to redefine daily life and drive progress across all sectors. However, we are on the brink of a fourth revolution: The Purpose Revolution.
The Purpose Revolution will reframe the concept of value and redefine the role of business in society. Even today there is a growing expectation for businesses to not only focus on sales and profit, but to cultivate positive social impact.
Statistics from https://impactmatch.global/
But how do we create more impact through our work? How can we make the world a better place through business? In partnership with Women in Banking and Finance, and The 44 Group, our #ImpactMasterclass focused on why and how you should align your career with meaningful impact.
Creating purpose
Our very own Leigh Smyth kicked off the event by sharing her experiences in the impact space. At 28, she redirected her career path to focus on impact and has since worked with the UK Government, several large FTSE, the United Nations as well as co designing or founding several charities, – experiences that ultimately led her to establish Impact Match.
“Everybody should build a network before they need it and aim to pay it forward with kindness & support – Leigh Smyth.
Leigh emphasised the power of networking and pursuing meaningful connections & partnerships , recounting how a chance encounter at a Women in Banking and Finance event which Leigh was once a board member led to her strong and ongoing friendship with Beverley Brown, fellow speaker at the masterclass.
“Relationships & partnerships are so important, and you can create new & brilliant ones via events.” – Leigh Smyth.
We were then introduced to Beverley Brown, a powerhouse in the social impact space, who built upon Leigh’s thoughts on the importance of networking. Having worked in recruitment, the charity sector and now with The Female Lead and Women in Banking and Finance, Beverley’s career exemplifies the profound value of building connections.
She vividly recalled struggling to write her CV during her re-entry into the charity sector:
“I had worked in recruitment for twenty-odd years, and I couldn’t write my own CV. And it was because I hadn’t needed one since the age of 17. Every job and everything I have ever done has been purely through networking.” – Beverley Brown.
Through their experiences, they were able to shed light on how to find greater purpose in your work life, whether this be in your current role or a new one. Here are some of our favourite takeaways:
Find your purpose.
- If you are struggling to find your purpose, try this simple exercise!
- Use the Venn diagram below to consider the following: What do you love to do? What are you good at?
- Then consider where these overlap with each other, and with what you could be paid to do.
- Try to interlock this with a problem in the world. What is an issue you could tackle through your work?
- Where these questions overlap is your purpose.
Be strategic.
- It is not always about finding the money to give to a charity. What assets does your organisation already have? How could these be used to really help a charity or your own customers & community?
- Always try: The worst someone can tell you is no. So find that 20 seconds of bravery, even if it takes some time to build up, and ask that question, send that email and try to make that deal.
It’s not what you know…
- Focus on building a strong, purpose-driven network as this will often present you with a variety of incredible opportunities to deliver greater impact.
- The currency of networking is generosity; Make introductions, give others value and pay favours forwards. Good deeds have a habit of coming back around!
Do the Work.
- If you feel unable to create your desired purpose in your current role, then look for a new one or a volunteer advisory role too.
- Treat getting a job like it is a job: develop your brand, attend events, build connections and utilise your network Ask people you know for their advice – people love to help & at the same time, they may know of a role coming up that is perfect for you.
Business is the answer
The keynote address was given by Duncan Parker, who after a distinguished career in humanitarian aid, shifted his focus to the emerging field of impact investing, and supporting businesses with social impact. He now leads the 44 Group to enable a people, planet and profit focus in the field of health and wellbeing.
Duncan used his time to pose a challenge, asking us to reconsider the societal role of businesses.
“What if businesses, rather than charities and government and individuals, were the superheroes that could solve the world’s problems?” – Duncan Parker
Painting an evocative image, Duncan discussed daunting global challenges, from poverty and homelessness, to climate change and inequality. However, he chose not to focus on despair, instead presenting a vision of hope, a vision of the future where businesses take the lead in driving positive change.
Figure 1: SDG Funding Strategies
In 2015, all United Nations members adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This agenda is formed of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) which focus on tackling issues such as poverty, inequality, disparities in education and hunger (see all 17 here). As shown in Figure 1, $3-4 trillion per annum is required until 2030 to meet these goals, but currently, only $350 billion per year has been secured. This is approximately only 10% of the funding needed to keep us on track to meet the SDGs.
However, through business, there is a way forward. Businesses receive c. $700 to $800 trillion a year in global financial assets or c. $80 trillion of global GDP. If we focused on using business to do good and placed just 1% of their global financial assets or 5% of global GDP towards SDG funding, we would meet the UN funding targets.
Businesses are in a unique position where they can attract global financial assets and investment. Therefore, we need to focus on transforming businesses into a vehicle that can do good for both people and the planet.
Duncan’s central message was clear: businesses have the potential to drive real change in the world. By aligning their objectives with the needs of people and the planet, they can forge a more fair and sustainable future. He urged us to embrace the dawn of ‘The Purpose Revolution’ and leverage our careers as a means to create impact.
Concluding thoughts
The Purpose Revolution calls for new approaches to creating impact and invites us to reflect on our daily lives. This masterclass left us reinvigorated and inspired, demonstrating how and why we should integrate purpose into our professional lives – whether by exploring new ways to create impact in our current roles or by seeking fresh opportunities.
Beverley Brown left the audience with one final thought:
“Remember to have courage and be kind, for where there is kindness, there is goodness, and where there is goodness, there is magic. Let’s create that magic together.”
If you want to learn more about how to create a career with purpose, please reach out to us here or book a call with Leigh. Also keep an eye out for more free masterclasses or partner social impact events to network at via our Events Page!
