The beginning of a new year is always a good time to be reconsidering one's reading list. With apologies to friends who have written terrific books on leadership and corporate social responsibility, the following are the five books (in alphabetical order) that I think leaders should be reading (or in some cases, re-reading) this year. Some of them are new, some are more vintage, but all of them have lessons for leaders that are not only worthwhile, but increasing important in our highly competitive and chaotic world.
A deeply rooted tenant of cause marketing is that when given a choice between two brands of similar price and quality, consumers will switch brands to one that is associated with a good cause. In fact, our 2017 Cone Communications CSR Study found nearly nine-in-10 (89%) would make that switch, steadily rising from 66 percent of consumers in 1993. And many brands over the years have harnessed this key learning – from (RED)’s many partners to TOMS buy-one, give-one approach.
Around the country, millions of people tuned in to watch Super Bowl LIII, a day not only for the competition between two franchises, but also a time when brands pull out all the stops for advertising campaigns. In fact, 17.7 percent of adults watching the game say the ads are their favorite part of the Super Bowl. And like Super Bowls of the past, some of the standout ads from this weekend’s game did more than just promote the latest product.
Programs Focused on Disaster Resiliency, Citywide Engagement and Virtual Education Will Expand Skills-Based Volunteerism
Press Release
NEW YORK, January 22, 2019 /3BL Media/— Common Impact, a national nonprofit leader in corporate skills-based volunteering, is launching a model to engage private sector talent in supporting community disaster preparedness and resiliency, as part of a broader expansion of its program models and leadership team. The move is designed to meet the demand of U.S.
ATLANTA, January 17, 2019 /3BL Media/ – Points of Light is pleased to announce the addition of five leaders to its board of directors. Each individual brings an enduring commitment to service, and will apply their expertise to Points of Light’s mission to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take action that creates change in communities around the world.
The National Football League (NFL) and Arrow Electronics (NYSE:ARW) announced the launch of 1st and Future, the NFL’s annual Super Bowl competition designed to spur innovation in athlete safety and performance. 1st and Future will be presented by Arrow Electronics and hosted at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) at the Ferst Center for the Arts in Atlanta, Georgia on February 2, 2019, the day before Super Bowl LIII.
2018 proved to be an active year in Corporate Social Responsibility with issues related to sustainability, globalization, advocacy on social issues and multiple natural disasters in the forefront. Some of these issues and trends will continue into 2019, but leaders should expect to see the following noteworthy changes:
This season, Hallmark presented a diverse cast for its popular holiday films
Blog
This year, Hallmark featured a largely African-American cast for its coveted Hallmark Hall of Fame premiere, “Christmas Everlasting.” The plot follows the premise that makes all Hallmark movies so successful—a beautiful woman returns home at the holidays and finds love when she least expects it. In this case, the woman is Tatyana Ali, best known for starring in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and a strong supporting cast including singer, actress, and entrepreneur Patti La Belle and Dennis Haysbert (“24,” Allstate Insurance commercials).
“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” Oprah Winfrey
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, and to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Three-year project will upgrade streetlights, install smart technology, reduce energy costs
Press Release
SCHENECTADY, N.Y., November 19, 2018 /3BL Media/ – National Grid and the City of Schenectady have begun work that will transform the municipality into a “smart city” by deploying advance street lighting technology. The work will start on Union Street between North College Street and Washington Avenue and will include retrofitting 18 streetlights with intelligent control nodes with a mixture of soft-white and daylight temperature LED bulbs. This project is a first of its kind partnership between a municipality and a utility company.
