DEFEATING THE WAR ON WOKE

DeSantis revokes Disney’s special status after ‘Don’t Say Gay’ opposition.

West Virginia bars five major financial firms, including BlackRock and JPMorgan Chase, from new state business after concluding they were boycotting the fossil fuel industry.

The co-founder of Home Depot complaining about “woke diversity, things that don't hit the bottom line.”

The recent train derailments blamed on “Norfolk Southern’s DEI policies directing resources away from the important things like greasing wheel bearings.”

Happily, despite all of this, this week’s podcast guest, Christy Cook, founder and CEO of InvestHER Strategies and ESG expert, assures us that “no matter what, ESG is not going away.”

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) is a term used to represent an organization's corporate financial interests that focus mainly on sustainable and ethical impacts. DEI, ESG, woke policies--whatever your term of choice--they are required to be competitive in the push and pull of today’s market.

On the client side, your corporate clients are currently or will soon need to report their ESG activity along with their financial statements. Your global clients already feel the pressure to comply with EU regulations, that, like their privacy regulations counterparts, are years ahead of the US in terms of transparency and protecting multiple stakeholders. Corporate clients will favor vendors who will help them hit their numbers.

On the talent side, research shows that you will have the advantage in attracting and retaining talent when you have strong ESG policies. People want to feel good about the companies they work for.

Using our businesses to create an economy that works for everyone is why we’re here.

Let’s stand with businesses that are committed to being environmentally responsible.

Let’s stand with businesses that have inclusive, supportive, and flexible work environments.

Let’s stand with businesses that pay fair wages and give back to their local community.

Let’s stand with businesses that believe in science and understand that having a clear-eyed view of the past is the key to a better future.

Let’s stand with businesses that use their resources to raise a generation for whom equality isn’t a dirty word.

Let’s use our wealth to change the world.