Ready to Ride the Next Tech & Business Wave?
It’s 2013 – and if you’re still playing it straight‑forward, you’re missing the second wave that’s reshaping markets. In the last decade, tech has turned household brands into a tidal‑wave of chaos. Now, a fresh surge is gathering steam, tightening the rules of trickle‑down economics and adding a new ingredient: Purpose.
Why Good is Good Business
- Martin Sorrell told a room of CEOs, “Doing good isn’t just a trend – it’s the new profit equation.”
- Sir Richard Branson kicked off The B Team, a squad of 14 leaders (including ex‑Puma CEO Jochen Zeitz) aiming to prove that people, planet, and profit can—and should—work hand in hand.
- “Plan A” – pure profit – is getting a glow‑up as Plan B, which marries social impact with revenue.
Tech: The Turbocharger for Responsible Business
Without tech, the promise of “doing good” stays a lofty slogan. With it, we can:
- Spot trends before they hit the market.
- Connect businesses across borders – from Silicon Valley to Lagos.
- Create new, cleaner workflows (think AI‑driven supply chains, real‑time carbon tracking).
DNA Summit Highlights
Last Friday’s DNA Summit (part of the G8 Innovation Summit) was a masterclass in tech for good. The session, hosted by June Sarpong, brought together mad‑cap inventors, policy giants, and the brightest minds in R&D. Highlights included:
- “Innovation Lab in the Sky” – Google’s Leor Stern, Innov‑Endeavors’ Celestine Johnson, and Silicon Valley Bank’s Gerald Brady cranked out 2‑hour sprints on a transatlantic flight.
- Tech solutions presented to Dr. Hamadoun Touré, UN ICTU Secretary‑General, who pledged backing for the most promising projects.
- A whirlwind of ideas to close the science/engineering/math skills gap and boost female participation in tech worldwide.
Profit With Purpose Prize
Bridges Ventures awarded £100,000 and 10‑30% equity to a company that marries financial upside with social impact: Timto’s “Uplifting Gifting”. Users buy gifts in bulk online; the retailer donates its commission to charity. A win‑win that is both profitable and heart‑warming.
What’s the Bottom Line?
Businesses that keep paying the old copy of “profit first” are in for a tough market. Those that integrate purpose and tech are set to thrive. If you’re still stuck in the old mindset, it’s time for a reboot.
Takeaway Checklist
- Think socially responsible and environmentally friendly from day one.
- Leverage tech to build real‑world, scalable solutions.
- Seek partnerships that align profit with purpose (think “Profit With Purpose” contests).
- Stay tuned to thought leaders like Branson and Sorrell for timely wisdom.
Tech for Business Week in London
Explore all this and more on LondonlovesBusiness.com: skip the jargon, pick up the laughs, and get ready to turn your business into a purposeful powerhouse.
Upcoming: Piers Linney’s £500m dragon; Julie Meyer’s call for “digital enablers” at big corporates; the tech trends that will change business forever.
