Going hand in hand

THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: How can profit and purpose be strategically aligned in Singapore's competitive business environment?

Lauren Sorkin Managing Director, Asia Pacific 100 Resilient Cities

Companies need to think beyond corporate giving. To align profit and purpose is to understand how your business operates and contributes to the community, city, country. It's more important to align corporate behaviour and policy behind the opportunities and challenges in your operating environment and understand that as a company, you are part of a bigger system. In Singapore, this means understanding the role your company can play in supporting Singapore's changing demographics and diverse population - are you providing opportunities for older workers? Are you empowering female leadership? And also understanding how your organisation contributes to and will be impacted by climate change - do you have policies that will help your employees cope in a heatwave or a flood? Is your operation energy efficient? Only by thinking holistically in this way will you build stability and resilience into your business and contribute to the resilience and well-being of the country overall.