Why Macrons Matter

So, let’s get straight to the point

Wow. We launched this fresh look newsletter a couple of weeks' back and the reception was fantastic. Nearly 600 new subscribers and some amazing feedback too.

Thank you to everyone who has got on for the ride so far and joined The New P&L global movement. We look forward to hearing about what you love/hate/feel a bit meh about when it comes to this newsletter, so we can always keep improving.

What is this newsletter all about again??

A couple of times a month we’re going to bring you concise and creative insights into the power of principled leadership and purpose-led business.

No jargon. No wasting your time. Just getting to the point.

We’re going to base each newsletter’s theme on our latest podcast (which you should definitely listen to by the way), and explore it from a global perspective.

Some important news before we jump into everything

Are you looking to create a purpose-driven legacy in your business?

If you are, we wanted to let you know that in early October, we’re officially launching our flagship 'Legacy in Leadership' programme and we’ve got an exclusive preview of this programme (and an exclusive offer) later in this newsletter.

Okay, so let’s dive straight into this week’s theme …

Why Macrons Matter...

As you all know, a macron is a straight bar placed above a letter, usually a vowel, to change the emphasis, pronunciation and definition of the word it appears in.

But what’s this got to do with purpose-led business?

Well, earlier this month on The New P&L podcast, we got to speak with Dan Te Whenua Walker - Global Co-Chair of Indigenous at Microsoft. You can check out the episode here.

Dan is based in Aotearoa/New Zealand and is of Māori heritage. In his role as Global Co-Chair of Indigenous at Microsoft, he is responsible for helping to honour, share and celebrate indigenous cultures within the organisation, as well as harness indigenous knowledge and wisdom to shape inclusive technologies that will empower future generations.?

We discussed with Dan two important initiatives he had helped initiate at Microsoft over the past couple of years that aimed to reflect, represent and amplify indigenous cultures within Microsoft. And, it is the second of these initiatives that led to the subject of the The New P&L episode and this newsletter: Why Macrons Matter. ?

Macrons are used frequently in Te Reo Māori – the indigenous language of Aotearoa New Zealand - one of its two (along with English) official languages. However, up until recently, anyone wishing to write on a laptop or computer in Te Reo Māori had a problem: there was no Te Reo Māori keyboard available, so laborious and time-consuming workarounds were needed to insert the required macrons.

A small thing you might think? At worse, an inconvenience? No!?

Why? Because context is everything, and in a world where indigenous languages are disappearing at a staggering rate - one dying every two weeks according to the United Nations - real and definitive action really matters.

So, Dan and his team designed a keyboard specifically for Te Reo Māori. It's been a huge success and an amazing example of how businesses can make a genuine and real difference, not at a performative level, but in a truly practical and powerful way – when the commitment, passion, resources and innovation needed come together. It is real evidence for us of principled leadership and powerful purpose in action. Listen to the full conversation with Dan here.

Here’s three stories you should read this week

Patagonia’s radical business move is great – but governments, not billionaires, should be saving the planet

This story has dominated news cycles over the past couple of weeks and has thrown the issue of corporate responsibility into the spotlight. This is just one opinion piece of many, with views ranging from cynical tax avoidance accusations to declarations of the end of capitalism. But this is not a PR stunt born from nowhere. Patagonia has been committed to purpose-driven initiatives on both the ‘grand’ and ‘granular’ level for years now. This latest stance is the culmination of that journey, not a one-off. But as this opinion piece asks, where does responsibility ultimately lie when tackling the big issues of today?

A Māori lens on AI: how indigenous cultures can help keep us grounded

As we build the technology that will underpin society going forward, AI continues to play a critically important role. But are we doomed to make the same mistakes as the past when old biased philosophies become the de-facto culture guiding our technological progress? This article, written from a Māori perspective for the World Economic Forum, raises the issue of bias being baked into AI, creating a second form of cultural colonialism.

Why the triple bottom line is important for every startup – even in a recession

The three Ps of sustainability and ethical business – Planet, People, Profit, continue to dominate conversations. But, as this article explores, what happens when the looming recession and cost-cutting exercises start to spook shareholders? Instead of backing off and reducing actions, organisations need to double down on their sustainability efforts if they want to come out the other side stronger.

As promised, drum roll please....

Now for our sneak preview and exclusive offer for ‘The Point’ readers.?

In early October, we’re launching our flagship: ‘The New P&L – Legacy in Leadership?’ Leader Development Programme.?

What is it?

Well, just before we answer that, maybe you can answer a quick question first.

What’s the legacy you’re trying to build? Not only in your business and career, but with your employees and customers as well?

It’s an important question to ask. Because with everything happening in the world right now, it's perhaps more critical than ever to understand the power and privilege we have as leaders today, and as a result, the responsibility we also have to create the right legacy for the future.

‘The P&L – Legacy in Leadership?’ programme has been specifically designed for leaders – present and future - who want to start building a legacy that will make a real difference – to them, their employees, their stakeholders and this planet.

Aimed at CEOs, MDs, senior leaders and managers right through to the next generation of leaders, the programme covers the six core components of creating a powerful legacy for your leadership and your business.

It draws on practical insights, evidence, experience and inspiration from across the business world, as well as our own proprietary MANTRA Principle leadership framework and the curated knowledge and wisdom of the global business leaders and entrepreneurs we have spoken to on the 200+ episodes of The New P&L – Principles & Leadership in Business podcast.

We’re kicking off the programme with three distinct offerings:

●?????‘The New P&L – Legacy in Leadership?’ introductory workshop (half day)?

●?????‘The New P&L – Legacy in Leadership?’ two-day intensive executive programme (limited to 10 delegates) – first one to go live in January 2023 (venue TBA but will be in greater London)

?●?????‘The New P&L – Legacy in Leadership?’ 3-month intensive 1-2-1 Leader Development programme

As an exclusive offer for ‘The Point’ newsletter readers, if you book one of the above before the end of October 2022, you will receive 20% off. To receive more information or discuss the programmes in more detail, please email [email protected], with 'Legacy In Leadership Offer' in the subject header.

One final thing before you leave

At The New P&L, we are building a global movement for more principled leadership and more purpose-led business and we need your help to grow this movement and spread the world. So, we invite you to take a moment to share The New P&L podcast link to you colleagues, friends and professional associates - https://podfollow.com/1484290569

Thank you in advance for your support and your ongoing belief in us.

Here's to leading with principle and growing with purpose,

The New P&L team