The business case for purpose

This week we launched Impact Summit; a space designed to challenge the current systems and ask the big questions about how we move forward as a society, focusing on how we live, work, learn and play. 

Read some of our recent press articles here: Insider Magazine | FutureScot | Digit | SBNN

Since we founded FutureX, (after bringing together WeAreTheFuture and Power of Youth, read more here) we've been moved by the idea of reinventing how our societies function and empowering the most entrepreneurial and innovative citizens to help us develop new ways of thinking. Our teams have spent the last 7 years working all over the world, from across Europe and India, China and North America we've met some exceptional individuals and organisations proving you can build a better world through business. 

Impact Summit is the first time we've brought together everything we have learned, with the exceptional people we have worked with, into one space to demonstrate how to build a better world through business.

Not your average conference

We're doing things a little differently at Impact Summit. For starters, the event takes place over three venues - BAaD, St Lukes and Backyard - in one day and features a highly interactive, action-orientated programme. 

Bored of event catering? At Impact Summit we're hosting a street food market, so you can choose to eat from a range of incredible local traders during registration, breaks and lunch. We're also throwing an outdoor after party so you've got more time to catch up with your fellow attendees - and enjoy the amazing food, drinks and music on offer.

So what are we trying to achieve? In the short term, we want to ignite a new way of thinking when it comes to our big challenges and unite a movement of citizens behind a common goal of building an economy that holds profit and social progress in balance. 

We already know, from countless reports (read EY Beacon Institute, SAID Business School and Harvard University report) and our own experience of working with over 5,000 entrepreneurs worldwide, that businesses which are purpose and mission-led outstrip their competition and build more resilient businesses:

? Purpose-oriented employees are high performers who are satisfied and more engaged at work.

? Purpose attracts the best talent in the market

? Having a strong purpose strengthen the effectiveness of marketing and helps companies to build the public’s trust and business stability

? Companies fuelled by purpose have outperformed the S&P 500

? They have a higher level of strategic alignment

? They are more resilient during economic downturns

(Statistics from Beacon Institute report)

Our ambition over the long-term is to see all companies adopting this approach to business and in turn all citizens being active ambassadors and participants in a more sustainable, long term and purpose driven economy.

On the fringe of Impact Summit we're hosting the first Virtuous Economy Leaders Forum (VEL Forum) as a high level retreat for some of the most innovative entrepreneurs, foundations, investors, policy makers and social innovators from around the world. 

The forum will explore how we build long-lasting international partnerships and launch a movement towards a more virtuous, sustainable and purpose driven economy, where profit and purpose compare in equal measure. 

If you want to be part of the movement that builds highly innovative companies, systems and structures that will improve the way we live, learn, work and play, then join us in the Barras in Glasgow on 9th May for IMPACT SUMMIT.

Be the change.