Episode 16: Net Positive & ESG Business with Former CEO of Unilever Paul Polman

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On today’s episode, we are joined by Mr. Paul Polman. Business leader, campaigner, Co-Author of “Net Positive: how courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take”, recently published October 2021. I loved the book so please go check it out on Amazon here: Net Positive Book on Amazon. To learn more about Mr. Polman and what he is trying to accomplish regarding ESG please check out his website here: Net Positive Website.

Paul Polman works to accelerate action by business to tackle climate change and inequality. A leading proponent that business should be a force for good, Paul has been described by the Financial Times as “a standout CEO of the past decade”. Being named Investor Magazine CEO of the Year 3 years in a row from 2010 to 2012, as well as being named European Business Leader of the year by The Wall Street Journal.

As CEO of Unilever (2009-2019), he demonstrated that a long-term, multi-stakeholder model goes hand-in-hand with excellent financial performance. Paul was a member of the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Panel which developed the Sustainable Development Goals and which he continues to champion, working with global organizations and across industry to advance the 2030 development agenda.

Paul’s new book, “Net Positive”, is a call to arms to courageous business leaders, setting out how to build net positive companies which profit by fixing the world’s problems rather than creating them. He Chairs IMAGINE, a social venture dedicated to systems change, and Saïd Business School, and he is Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact as well as a B Team Leader. Paul isHonorary Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, which he led for two years.

In part 1 of today’s discussion we hit on topics such as the consumer goods industry, private labeling, how a consumer goods company buys a new brand, how he turned Unilever into a more ESG company, the most important points of his Book: Net Positive, the greatest challenge when it came to turning the company into a more net positive business, the idea of being driven and motivated, and role of consumer goods companies.
Mr. Polman is a once in a lifetime CEO… please enjoy this episode. This one was my favorite podcast and I hope you guys enjoy.
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