In our post COVID-19 world companies are already planning rebound strategies for their businesses across their entire operations. This is not just about public (and staff) health protection procedures. The recent emergency and the economic upheaval the pandemic caused, coming in on the wave of climate change, corporate activism and the prioritisation of stakeholder (rather than just shareholder) interests will drive corporate reputations like never before in the period ahead. Here is a fantastic interview of Paul Polman, ex CEO of Unilever. We all need inspiration and optimism as we move forward, company executives no less than others. He finishes the interview by talking of “courage”, whose root is from the French word “coeur”. So, as we plan ahead and drive forward in our corporate lives and enterprises, we can all take heart and be positive and lead from the heart in the rapidly changing world, public sentiment and marketplaces. Those companies who authentically do this will enjoy great reputations, be admired and thrive as businesses. Listen to Unilever’s journey of stakeholder capitalism! – Ita Gibney, Chairman

Listen to Paul’s interview from 20.30 on: https://globaloptimism.com/podcast/paul-polman-is-creating-the-stakeholder-society/