7 proof points validating the Dali Lama is right about our growing social consciousness
The Dalai Lama visited the Today Show yesterday, his first visit to an American morning news show. It was surreal. After making his entrance in a black limo, he greeted Ann, shook hands with Meredith, Al and Matt, and settled, sandal-free-foot-tucked-under.
Ann asked him if the world is getting better or worse. His Holiness quickly said “getting better.”
The spiritual leader of the Tibetan people contrasted the 20th century 
with the 21st, saying there will be “much change in the human experience,” and there will be much “more compassion” during this century. He discussed how positive action, vision and motivation will continue to manifest itself and why the right attitude can reduce man-made problems.
with the 21st, saying there will be “much change in the human experience,” and there will be much “more compassion” during this century. He discussed how positive action, vision and motivation will continue to manifest itself and why the right attitude can reduce man-made problems.As one of millions involved in social responsibility, I instinctively agreed. The facts seem to bear it out.
Consider:
- Plenty of data supports the growing humanization of our planet. Corporations that previously donated money and then considered their job done, now have a deeply and authentically ingrained giving-back ethic. They’re no longer posturing, or just being philanthropic, but working hard to solve society’s problems and genuinely make a difference.
- According to the 2010 Deloitte Volunteer IMPACT Survey, more than eight in 10 companies (84 percent) believe volunteerism can help nonprofits accomplish long-term social goals. Corporate managers believe the top benefits of workplace volunteerism include alleviating a social issue (36 percent), helping nonprofits function more effectively (31 percent) and serving more clients (31 percent).
- On the individual level, 84% of Americans believe their ideas can help companies create products and services that are a win for consumers, business and society, according to the 2010 Cone Shared Responsibility Study.
- Bob Gilbreath, chief marketing strategist at Bridge Worldwide and author of “Marketing with Meaning,” reported that 71% of consumers are giving as much or more now as they were before the economic downturn. He reported 87% of consumers would switch brands based on association with a good cause and 50% of consumers would pay more for products from brands that support causes. The Cone Roper survey has validated this trend for years.
- Chris MacDonald, who’s #61 on Ethisphere’s list of the 100 most influential people in business ethics, recently called this “the golden age of ethical business.”
- The 2010 Corporate Citizenship Report, a collaborative project of the Entrepreneurs Foundation and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, said, "Sustainability, the integration of people and planet into a company's purpose,” is on the radar for 73% of the respondents and becoming more important. “Environmental initiatives are saving money for companies and consumers, while environmentally conscientious companies are favorably perceived both in the marketplace and by prospective employees."
- Dave Stangis, Vice President of CSR and Sustainability at Campbell’s Soup said, “The emergence of the VP of CSR and VP of Sustainability titles seems proof of the growing strategic business position of CSR.” As validation, SustainableBusiness reported the posting
of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) jobs increased 33% in 4Q09.
The Dalai Lama said news media tends to “highlight negative things,” and we “take positive things for granted.” But media is beginning to transform too; the major network nightly news programs, for example, often end with an upbeat making-the-world-better story.
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