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Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Leaders Build Purpose-Driven Organizations That Invest In Community
Anyone who has worked under an uninspired or narrowly focused leader understands that true leadership transcends boardrooms, dashboards, and quarterly earnings. It is not confined to metrics or shareholder returns—it is a human endeavor that radiates outward, shaping the culture of organizations and the communities in which they operate. Holistic leaders recognize that the ultimate success of their enterprise is inextricably linked to the depth of purpose they help cultivate across every level of the organization. And this begins with a bold and often overlooked truth: people want to belong to something bigger than their job descriptions. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, eight out of ten small businesses actively find ways to give back to their communities. But the most transformative leaders do more than give—they design companies that integrate service, meaning, and community connection into the very architecture of their operations. In doing so, they unlock deeper employee engagement, trust, and long-term resilience—not as a bonus, but as a byproduct of building organizations that matter. Community investment is not charity—it is a declaration of values. It signals what a leader and an organization stand for. In an era increasingly defined by transparency and meaning, high-performing cultures are no longer sustained by incentives and KPIs alone. They are held together by a shared sense of identity and contribution. And when leaders prioritize community as a core element of strategy, they send a clear message: we're not just here to extract value—we're here to create it. 'Being involved in the community isn't just about building a brand,' explains Thomas J. Henry, founder of the forthcoming Thomas J. Henry Center for Philanthropy in Corpus Christi, Texas - a close-nit community my aunt lived in for many years. 'It's about being part of something greater than yourself and your business.' Indeed, trust—arguably the most valuable currency in leadership—is built not by rhetoric, but by visibility, humility, and consistent action. When leaders show up at local schools, mentor entrepreneurs, or help restore community spaces, their influence deepens. Over time, that influence becomes credibility—earned, not manufactured. People no longer just want jobs. They want meaning. They want to grow, to connect, and to see the impact of their effort beyond a task list. Holistic leaders understand this and intentionally create environments where employees can find purpose through multiple pathways—whether it's through mentorship programs, volunteering, innovation projects, or community partnerships that align with their personal values. 'When a leader models service-oriented behavior,' says Henry, 'it creates ripple effects. Employees start to see their own work as part of something bigger, more human, and more enduring than profit alone.' That sense of shared mission is a cultural force multiplier. It boosts morale, enhances retention, and fosters teams rooted in mutual respect and aspiration. Organizations that embed purpose into their fabric don't just keep talent—they elevate it. No business exists in a vacuum. The long-term sustainability of any organization is tightly woven into the health and resilience of its broader ecosystem. Better schools produce stronger talent. Safer neighborhoods enable more focused teams. Vibrant local economies create a stronger customer base. 'The reality is that powerful communities are not just alive and well—they're evolving,' note Jeffrey Bussgang and Jono Bacon in a recent HRB article. 'They may be organized differently, but they present profound opportunities for companies to engage, co-create, and lead.' Leaders who see the connection between community vitality and organizational health don't wait for crises to respond. They invest proactively, ensuring that their organizations grow in step with the world around them—not at its expense. Leadership is not about control—it's about coherence. The strongest leaders create alignment between what they say, what they do, and what they build. They don't just articulate values—they embody them. They don't just promote culture—they shape it, intentionally and consistently. 'Spending time in the community where your employees and customers live doesn't just drive goodwill,' writes BizJournals. 'It creates a feedback loop of trust, understanding, and loyalty—fueling both purpose and performance.' Moreover, when leaders engage deeply with their communities, they shift the very definition of success—from status to significance. They begin to lead not only with ambition but with compassion. Not only with a vision, but with stewardship. The greatest leaders of the modern era will not be remembered solely for their innovations or profits—but for how they elevated people. For how they built companies that were not just efficient but meaningful. For how they made the workplace a place of purpose, not just productivity. The question, then, is not whether to invest in your community—it's how to design your organization so that every employee, at every level, sees that investment as part of their own story. Because when individuals find purpose in their work, and that work connects meaningfully to the outside world, you don't just build a company. You build a legacy. And legacy, after all, is the most enduring form of leadership there is.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Iran & Uzbekistan are Driving South-South Investment
People walk past shops in the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on March 3, 2025. Iran's parliament sacked the country's finance minister on March 2 after impeaching him over soaring inflation and a plunging currency, state television reported. As the global economic order continues to shift toward multipolarity, strategic cooperation among emerging markets is taking center stage. Within this context, the growing economic engagement between Iran and Uzbekistan, now both BRICS+ members involved in the BRICS+ cooperation frameworks, demonstrates the increasing importance of South-South collaboration. A Bold Economic Turn At the Iran-Uzbekistan Business Forum held in Tehran on 11 May 2025, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov announced a sweeping incentive: full exemption from taxes and customs duties for Iranian investors operating in Uzbekistan. This signals a strong commitment by Tashkent to attract Iranian capital and expertise. The two countries already boast over 210 joint enterprises in sectors like construction, petrochemicals, textiles, and agriculture—double what they had five years ago. Aripov emphasized Uzbekistan's goal to grow its GDP to $160 billion and cited the $70 billion in foreign investment it attracted in 2023 as a sign of the country's potential. Despite a stable $500 million annual trade volume, both sides view this as far below potential. Iran's Chamber of Commerce is pushing to double trade to $1 billion immediately and $2 billion long-term. Plans include removing visa requirements for Iranian businesspeople, preferential trade agreements, and leveraging Iran's key transit position through the International North–South Transit Corridor (INSTC). Building the Foundation for Long-Term Trade To remove trade and customs bottlenecks, Iran has proposed joint roadmaps and infrastructure upgrades. Uzbekistan has launched a Trade House in Tehran and is backing an Iranian sales office in Tashkent. Iran also suggested a bilateral investment fund via its National Development Fund to finance joint ventures, particularly in energy, petrochemicals, and technology. In 2023, Iran exported $368 million worth of goods to Uzbekistan, compared to imports of just $81 million. Iran sees strong export potential in construction materials, food-processing equipment, and pharmaceuticals. As the Middle East's top steel producer and tenth globally, Iran also offers mining and metallurgical expertise that aligns well with Uzbekistan's development goals. A Comprehensive Strategic Alliance The partnership is expanding beyond trade. Joint tourism, healthcare, and cultural projects are on the table, supported by Iran's robust medical and pharmaceutical sectors. Hassanzadeh emphasized Iran's healthcare strengths and called for reciprocal visa waivers to boost people-to-people ties. Culturally, Iran and Uzbekistan share deep Persianate and Islamic heritage. This opens up opportunities for cultural diplomacy, joint exhibitions, academic exchange, and tourism. In the BRICS context, their collaboration sets a strong example of South-South cooperation. With Iran as a member and Uzbekistan a partner, both countries stand to benefit from BRICS-led infrastructure projects and trade corridors, while reducing reliance on Western-dominated systems. Written By: *Dr Iqbal Survé Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN *Chloe Maluleke Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group Russian & Middle Eastern Specialist **The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL. ** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE ** Follow @brics_daily on Twitter for daily BRICS+ updates
CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
App made in Sudbury, Ont., promotes deals at chamber of commerce businesses across Canada
An app designed in Sudbury, Ont., that connects people with businesses that are part of the local chamber of commerce is now available in 56 cities across Canada. Karen Hastie came up with the idea for the Chamber Perks app when she heard about the struggles some chambers of commerce were facing trying to show value for their members. Anyone can download the free Chamber Perks app, which provides discounts with businesses that are members of their local chamber of commerce. "The only businesses that can be featured on the app have to belong to local chambers of commerce across Canada and that consists of over 200,000 businesses," Hastie said. By working directly with chambers, Hastie said it provides a built-in audience for her app. "Creating an app, anyone can do that," she said. "Getting people to download it, that's a lot tougher of an ask. So the cool thing about us is having a pre-made network of chamber businesses. It makes it easier for those businesses that belong to a chamber to get their employees, their families and friends to download it." Hastie said the app is a way to encourage people to support local businesses and buy Canadian goods and services, either in their own city or if they are visiting from out of town. She said it's also a way for businesses to get other messages to the public. "So they might be advertising 'We're hiring, we're relocating, we just won an award, we've got a sale on' So it really becomes a local communication tool for those businesses," Hastie said. To participate, chambers of commerce pay her a subscription fee, but she said it benefits them since it brings in more customers to member businesses. Hastie said the app is expanding into more cities, including a move to connect with more chambers of commerce in Quebec. This is a second career for her, after spending the past 30 years running a fitness equipment store in Sudbury. "I love helping small businesses, I mean that's been my passion. This to me was a natural fit," Hastie said.
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Backs GCC-Malaysia and GCC-ASEAN Free Trade Agreements in Kuala Lumpur
HRH Prince Salman and Malaysian Prime Minister Witness Signing of Major Agreements His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, met with Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, during his official visit to Malaysia. At the outset of the meeting, HRH Prince Salman conveyed the greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the Malaysian Prime Minister, who reciprocated with warm regards for His Majesty the King. Strategic Cooperation Across Key Sectors HRH Prince Salman emphasised Bahrain's commitment to deepening its partnership with Malaysia and advancing collaboration across a wide range of sectors. He highlighted the strong ties between both nations and the mutual aspirations that drive bilateral cooperation. The leaders discussed regional and international developments, reaffirming the importance of enhancing strategic dialogue and fostering joint efforts that serve the interests of both countries. Signing of Landmark Agreements The meeting culminated in the signing and exchange of several key agreements and memoranda of understanding, aimed at boosting political, economic, academic, and industrial cooperation: Political Consultation Mechanism An MoU between Bahrain and Malaysia establishing a formal framework for political consultations, signed by Foreign Ministers Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan. Civil Service HR Cooperation An MoU on human resource development in civil services, signed by Bahrain's Foreign Minister and the Director-General of Malaysia's Public Service Department. Chamber of Commerce Collaboration A partnership between the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), aimed at strengthening trade relations. Academic Exchange and Research A collaborative agreement between the University of Bahrain and Universiti Sains Malaysia to promote academic cooperation, including exchange programs and joint initiatives. Data Sovereignty Agreement An announcement granting Malaysia sovereignty over subscriber data held by Malaysian companies in Bahraini cloud computing centers. Sea-to-Air Logistics Partner Status Bahrain granted sea-to-air partner services status to Malaysia, enhancing logistics and trade flows between the two nations. Industrial Park Development An MoU on the joint development and promotion of industrial parks, signed by Bahrain's Minister of Finance and National Economy and Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry. Support for GCC-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement HRH Prince Salman reaffirmed Bahrain's full support for a Free Trade Agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Malaysia, as well as a broader GCC-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, noting its potential to boost trade, attract investments, and promote sustainable development. Focus on Regional Summits HRH also highlighted the importance of the upcoming Second ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, both hosted by Malaysia. He extended his best wishes for their success, describing them as pivotal platforms for enhancing regional cooperation and fostering strategic partnerships between the Gulf and Southeast Asia.
Saba Yemen
6 days ago
- Business
- Saba Yemen
Meeting in Sana'a discusses alternatives for poultry imports from boycotted companies
Sana'a - Saba: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the capital secretariat, discussed ways to enhance local poultry production , improve breeds of broiler chickens , layers to boost domestic output and stabilize markets. The meeting, attended by agricultural services sector official Dhyfullah Shumlan, agricultural production development official Eng. Samir Al-Hanani, and Chamber of Commerce head Ali Al-Hadi, along with several poultry importers and producers, reviewed investment opportunities in this field. Discussions focused on localizing the production of poultry breeds, especially those previously imported from boycotted companies, and finding suitable alternatives to ensure uninterrupted market supply. The meeting emphasized protecting traders affected by boycott decisions, calling for appropriate alternatives and mechanisms to safeguard their businesses and ensure continuity without harm. It was agreed to streamline procedures for registering alternative companies that meet technical and health standards as replacements for firms operating in boycotted countries. A list of affected European companies will be prepared, with approved alternatives proposed, while the General Department of Animal Health oversees this process. Additionally, the meeting stressed the need to establish mechanisms to compensate for previously imported quantities from targeted countries by relying on new sources and expanding localization efforts in this sector. This meeting aligns with efforts to ensure market stability and enhance self-sufficiency in poultry products through new import sources that guarantee quality and sustainability. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
