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Dear colleagues [ apologies for cross-posting]

I am happy to invite you to an exploration of the power of :

Happiness/Well-being as business purpose.

A conference co-hosted by the Humanistic Management Network and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

November 7, 2014 in Paris at OECD headquarters.

Featuring a trialogue of leading academics, practitioners and policy makers, including representatives of HEC Paris, John Lewis Partnership, Ashoka, B-Lab, B-corporations, CSV initiative (Michael Porter), Common Good Economy, Danone (tbc), OECD, and many more

For more detail here: http://www.amiando.com/ORBCTAW

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In recent years well-being has occupied a central role not only in the popular press but also in the statistical and policy agenda of many countries of the world. So far most of the efforts to provide better measures of well-being or to implement policies for well-being have been confined to academic and policy circles, while the corporate sector has been less involved in this discussion as well as in implementing this agenda. However, firms have a key role in shaping people's well-being, as they produce most of the goods and services that individuals enjoy. In addition, firms provide the social environment for many employees and the quality of the working environment has a capital influence on people's quality of life.

On the other hand, business as usual is facing a legitimacy crisis as their traditional purpose of maximizing profits or shareholder value is deemed insufficient for current times. Corporate Social Responsibility measures are aiming to increase lost legitimacy, but they seem to be only partly successful. At this Conference, we will examine whether well-being of stakeholders can become an alternative business purpose; one that legitimizes business activity within society AND with other stakeholders including investors. 

Such a focus would represent a paradigm shift in how we think about the purpose of business. Serving the common good requires firms to ensure that they can balance a multitude of stakeholders' not only in financial terms but also in psychological, social and environmental terms. In this Conference, we especially wish to explore opportunities and the potential of business to deliver on well-being at societal, organizational and individual levels. These opportunities may positively affect the sustainability of business models and allow firms to grow and prosper faster and longer over time.

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The Conference program is geared towards a balance of interactive elements and presentations to facilitate the exchange between management practitioners, policy makers and academics. The day will see key note speeches, panel discussions and highly interactive breakout sessions to form an informative and engaging program.

For more information on program and registration go here: 

http://www.amiando.com/ORBCTAW

Please do not hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions or comments.

For the OECD, Romina Boarini,

For the Humanistic Management Network, Michael Pirson