The Inspired Protagonist

The Next Generation of Responsible Business

Inspired Protagonist — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:58:21 -0700

Know Your Source is an exciting start-up with national ambitions. It aspires to be the leading provider of natural, holistic medical products that are targeted to health professionals (massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and allopathic doctors) and the businesses that employ them, including spas, destination retreats, and wellness clinics.

Strange Bedfellows? Why Seventh Generation Is Doing Business With Wal-Mart’s Marketside Stores

Inspired Protagonist — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

I’ve sometimes said that hell would freeze over before Seventh Generation would ever do business with Wal-Mart. In fact, at times I’ve made even more strongly worded statements. Now I’ve got to concede that I was wrong. For the first time ever, the Seventh Generation logo is appearing in a handful of stores that are owned by Wal-Mart.

World Economic Forum, Day 3

Inspired Protagonist — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:18:20 -0700

Just before lunch I participated on a panel, "From Global Growth Company to Corporate Citizen."

The session description noted, "As the global agenda is increasingly shaped outside the traditional framework of nation states, corporations have licence not only to operate in the global system, but also a civic duty to contribute to its sustainable health."

Meeting China's Premier

Inspired Protagonist — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:21:43 -0700

Toward the end of my second day at the World Economic Forum, I had the opportunity to attend an intimate dialogue with Wen Jiabao, the premier of China. An engineer by training, Wen has an eye for detail that our president probably can’t even dream of.

World Economic Forum, Day 2

Inspired Protagonist — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:44:09 -0700

On the second day of the World Economic Forum in China, I sat in on a session where three Internet gurus—Jimmy Wales (founder of Wikipedia), investor Esther Dyson, and Mitchell Baker (chairman of Mozilla)—pondered what’s next on the Web.

World Economic Forum, Day 1

Inspired Protagonist — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:02:29 -0700

It’s a two-hour drive from Beijing to Tianjin, which is hosting the World Economic Forum. Otherwise known as the “Summer Davos,” the Forum’s stated purpose is to improve the state of the world. I’m here to find out what that means, how it’s supposed to happen, and whether I can help.

En route to the World Economic Forum

Inspired Protagonist — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:17:37 -0700

The Beijing South Station looks more like a modern airport than a train station. It’s designed to move millions of people efficiently throughout the country. The chairs in the waiting room more closely resemble those in my dining room. This is not the city I visited 23 years ago, when we spent half the night standing on our beds till the small rats in the room settled down to sleep.

Meeting of the New Champions 2008

Inspired Protagonist — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:13:32 -0700

I am flying somewhere over what’s left of the Arctic on my way to speak at Summer Davos, organized by The World Economic Forum in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China.

With the world worrying about the potential for global economic meltdown, it should be a great opportunity for me to explore the ripple effects of the recent events in the US banking market.

Show the World What’s Inside!

Inspired Protagonist — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:11:59 -0700

Imagine a food company that refuses to display the ingredients in its cookies and processed soups.

Imagine a personal-care company that won’t disclose the chemicals in its shampoos.

The Other Georgia

Inspired Protagonist — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:39:26 -0700

Last week, it was reported that the Bush administration will send $1 billion to aid Georgia, the Eastern European nation that revolted against Russia. I couldn't help but think of the other Georgia, the southeastern state and one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against Great Britain.