Authentic businesses start with purpose

Suzanne Mercier - Monday, March 08, 2010

As many of you know, I've been pretty fired up about Purpose for many years - in fact, just about as long as I've been in business for myself. The growing interest in Purpose and the evidence that Purpose makes a significant difference to the bottom line is exciting.  15 years ago, books like "Meaning, Inc" (Gurnek  Baines), "Purpose: the starting point of great companies" (Mourkogiannis) and "Firms of Endearment" (Sisodia, Wolfe & Sheth) wouldn't even have been conceived, let alone hit the best seller list.  An increasing proportion of businesses are now recognising that Purpose and meaning at work are a critical starting point for companies that have high levels of engagement and enjoy growth at levels unheard of in non-meaningfull companies.

For an organisation to be truly authentic, it needs to know why it exists - what is its' reason for being beyond putting money into the pockets of shareholders.  Purpose is the internal compass for authentic organisations.  It influences all decisions, all behaviour.  It provides an opportunity for people to see how - through their work - they are making a significant contribution to society at some level.  And we're all on the journey to find meaning in our lives. 

What do you think.  I'd love to hear.
All the very best.
Suzanne