Rise Up
How to Build a Socially Conscious Business
The goal of Rise Up is a noble one—to teach business executives “how to build a socially conscious business.” Russ Stoddard, who founded such a business himself and now builds brands for purpose-driven companies, provides the ingredients for success in a book that is brief and easy to read, yet deeply meaningful.
Rise Up begins with an overview of the social enterprise and a discussion of the “purpose-driven movement.” Then the author methodically steps through the key elements of building a socially conscious business: developing a purpose statement, defining values, creating the appropriate corporate structure (including a comparison of Benefit Corporations and Certified B Corps), hiring and managing coworkers rather than “employees,” and telling the corporate story.
The last section includes enough detail to act as a valuable communications road map. Stoddard also discusses how companies can achieve a balance between “people, planet, and profit,” sharing brief case studies of five purpose-driven companies to illustrate their altruistic approach to business.
One of the more captivating chapters, “The Road Ahead,” presents the author’s “six predictions for the future” of the purpose-driven movement. These predictions, which include wide acceptance of corporate certifications, and activist companies that invest in similarly purpose-driven startups, offer real insight into the fundamental transformation that may take place in the future world of business.
Rise Up is essential reading for entrepreneurs who want to start their own purpose-driven businesses, as well as senior business executives who aspire to lead their organizations to become more socially conscious.
Reviewed by
Barry Silverstein
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
