Expert Topic
Purposeful Business - Doing Well by Doing Good
Some corporations are breaking from Fortune 500 tradition and basing their success on the positive impact they have socially and on the environment.
They are creating a new business model based on "purpose" – becoming a force for good in the world rather than just seeking to maximize profits.
It may sound counterintuitive, but companies that become "purpose-driven," viewing their primary mission as no longer simply turning a profit, actually are acting in their own best interests.
Companies that have embraced purposeful business are already seeing increases in productivity and profit, while also ensuring their long-term viability.
They are creating a new business model based on "purpose" – becoming a force for good in the world rather than just seeking to maximize profits.
It may sound counterintuitive, but companies that become "purpose-driven," viewing their primary mission as no longer simply turning a profit, actually are acting in their own best interests.
Companies that have embraced purposeful business are already seeing increases in productivity and profit, while also ensuring their long-term viability.
Meet the
Expert
Geoff McDonald
Former Global VP - Marketing, Communications, Sustainability and Talent, Unilever
London, United Kingdom
- English
Expert Topic:
About Geoff
- London-based thought leader and global advisor in HR, marketing, communications and sustainability.
- Career at Unilever spanning 25 years, culminating with his leading the company's groundbreaking work in business model transformation with purpose at its core.
- Previous roles at the company have included work across Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Unilever is a global corporation with turnover of £50 billion and 150,000 employees in 90 countries.
- A sought-after speaker, he inspires and provokes organizations to put purpose at the center of everything they do. Has spoken at Cambridge University, Warwick and Oxford as well as corporate events across Australia, Europe, Japan, North America, and Africa.
Experience
Global VP - Marketing, Communications, Sustainability and Talent
•
Unilever
1989
—
2014
- 25 years of global HR experience that has included talent and leadership development, organizational change, capability development, and business transformation.
- Appointed in 2010 to current role, in which he leads Unilever's groundbreaking work in transforming the company's business model with purpose at its core.
- Worked as HR business partner to chief marketing and communications officer, which is executive team position reporting directly to the CEO.
- Developed Unilever’s global talent and leadership centre of expertise.
- As Global VP of HR for Unilever's Home and Personal Care (HPC) categories, played an active role in transformation of the the company's global laundry business.
- Served from 2003-2005 as VP of Human Resources for Unilever Australasia, based in Sydney, preceded by HR roles in South Africa and London, during which he worked across Africa, the Middle East and Turkey.
- Early in his career, was responsible for graduate recruitment and development, talent, acquisitions and development across Unilever’s merging markets.
Education
University of Capetown
BSC, Zoology, 1984
Boards
- Non-executive director at Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), is an in-person training that teaches you how to help people developing a mental illness or in a crisis.
- Advisory board member, SportInspired, a youth sports program which has worked with more than 35,000 children and business volunteers across the UK, 342 schools and youth groups, and 569 sports clubs.
- Advisory board member, 2degrees, the world's leading community for sustainable business.
- Board of directors, Independent Employment Services, UK, a recruitment agency specializing in transport and logistics.
Keynote Speeches
- Frequent speaker at global HR conferences.
- Has spoken at Cambridge University, Warwick and Oxford as well as corporate events across Australia, Europe, Japan, North America, and Africa.
- Addressed the Bosphorus Energy Club, speaking to CEOs and Energy Ministers from across the Middle East and Ukraine, Turkey and Russia, "Leadership for a New Normal."
- National campaigner in the UK for addressing the stigma associated with mental health issues through participation in national advertising campaign and appearances on radio programs for the BBC and Radio 5.
Panels
- Frequent panelist at HR and executive conferences in Europe and the U.S. on role of HR in creating more purposeful businesses.
What People Are Saying About Geoff
In my 30 minute session with Geoff McDonald we discussed several pitfalls for embedding Purpose into my organization. He pointed out a couple I was not aware of and that will change some of our direction in important ways. I plan to meet with Geoff again in person to discuss further. I now have a “go-to” person in this area.
Chief Human Resources Officer
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Best Practices
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Expert Geoff McDonald on this topic.
Pre-Meeting Discovery Process
Review and analysis of your issue with pre-meeting discovery questions by Geoff, followed by
a 30- or 60-minute one-on-one call.
Sample
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Your (+colleagues) meeting is directed and focused from the first minute.
Meeting Summary Report
After your call, Geoff completes a Meeting Summary Report to provide you with the
session’s discussion topics, analysis, assessment and recommendations for next steps.
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