(Michelle Nunn/Washington Post)
The Occupy Wall Street movement is largely fueled by a relatively small set of young people who view the protests as a fight for their future. The vast majority, however, are getting up and going to work every day — or wishing they could. These individuals are part of a less dramatic but, perhaps, equally powerful movement of Millennials shaping the future of business. As consumers, employees and entrepreneurs, Millennials are shifting the norms of corporate America’s conduct, ethical imperatives and purpose. In his book, “The Way We’ll Be,” pollster John Zogby documents how these “First Globals” are more conscientious consumers than their predecessors, demanding greater honesty and accountability from businesses.
Millennials are bringing their values into the career equation by placing a premium on employers’ reputation for social responsibility and the opportunities those companies and organizations provide their employees to make a positive impact on society. Sixty-one percent of 18- to 26-year-olds polled in a 2011 Deloitte Volunteer IMPACT survey said they would prefer to work for a company that offers volunteer opportunities. Over the past decade, this generational shift has pushed these programs to be more sophisticated, generating billions of dollars of pro bono support for nonprofits and activating millions of skilled volunteers. (Read more at the Washington Post)
OTHER HEADLINES:
- More Houston-Area Parents than Ever Opt Out of Child Vaccines (Houston Chronicle)
- The John O’Quinn Foundation plays Santa with $500,000 gift to the Children’s Assessment Center (Houston Culture Map)
- Couple Turns to Goodfellows as They Work Toward Better Times (Houston Chronicle)
- Marine’s Widow Surprised with Free House in Alvin at Texans Game (Your Houston News)
- Rash of Improper Influence over High-Dollar Contracts at Houston ISD — While Teachers are Cut and Schools are Closed (Texas Watch Dog)
OPINION:
- Book Review: Richard Branson’s “Screw Business As Usual, And Make Your (Huge Piles Of) Money By Doing Good” (Fast Company)
- Michael Shellenberger & Ted Nordhaus – A Boom in Shale Gas? Credit the Feds (Washington Post)
- William Brinkley & Peter Hotez – American Science Can Benefit From Texas Leadership (Houston Chronicle)