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Influencers are not only good for skinny jean and matcha recommendations. Now, they can advise you on where to invest your money. Founded by 23-year-old Steven Wang, Dub is an influencer-driven marketplace where users can now copy the entire portfolios of the likes of Rep. Nancy Pelosi or billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman for just $9.99 a month or $89.99 a year. At the same time, retail traders accepted into Dubs top creator program will be paid royalties for users to access their model portfolio. I want the next five Warren Buffetts to be surfaced and famous on Dub, Wang told CNBC last month. If were really successful with the top creator program, the next generation of the best fund managers, the best traders in the world that people follow will rise from Dub. Rather than picking stocks, users just need to make sure they pick the right person (kind of like copying the homework of the smartest kid in class rather than actually doing your homework). These portfolios are tracked for changes over time, with any trades automatically copied, eliminating the human error of missing any trades. Dub is also focused on educating users and helps investors make informed decisions by displaying risk scores, risk-adjusted returns, and portfolio stability metrics all on the platform. Retail investing has changed rapidly over the past two decades. Now, almost half of Gen Zers invest in the stock market, according to the Oliver Wyman Forum survey. They are 45% more likely to start investing by age 21 than Millennials and two to four times more likely than Gen X and baby boomers. In for a penny in for a pound, Gen Z are also saving a sizable 14% of their incomes. At the same time, social media is reshaping how people, and Gen Z in particular, choose to spend, save and invest their money. Gen Zers are nearly five times more likely to say they get financial advice, including investing tips, from social media than those in their 40s or above. So Gen Z is going to take advice from anyone, might as well be from those who can put their money where their mouth is.
Category:
E-Commerce
Nearly half of Americans believe that we will see a civil war in the United States in our lifetime. As a corporate leader of a large, diverse team that operates across the United States, I am simultaneously horrified by this and hopeful that it will not come to fruition. The workplace gives me a window into the relationships that are at stake if our country further divides. It also gives me hope that relationships can hold us together, two people at a time. I met my colleague Ted last year. We are a generation apart. Im a city girl. Hes a country guy. Ive never voted Republican. I doubt hes ever voted for a Democrat. We both call ourselves Christian, while our similar faith identities guide distinct political choices. Ted and I met at a company-sponsored volunteer week, swinging hammers and painting bold yellow safety lines on the floor of a Habitat for Humanity warehouse in rural Kauai. Amidst bruised thumbs (mine) and splattered paint (also mine) we talked about our opposing views on social issues. We also shared tears about loved ones lost and pride for the purpose of our company, Thrivent, where Ted is a 41-year veteran financial advisor, and I am a relatively new executive. Ted and I came away knowing that, despite differences, we have many more values that we share, including our passion for service and community-building among colleagues. Weve stayed in touch. Ted has both questioned and complimented my marketing teams work in how we are evolving telling Thrivents story in our advertising. Hes also graciously welcomed my family at corporate events. Post-election day On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, I knew it might be difficult for many colleaguesregardless of how they votedto show up for work the morning after the election. As soon as I arrived, an email came in from Ted. Good Mornin Sunshine!!! read the subject. One could bristle at seeing that, but I did not. Seeing this come from Ted is like seeing it come from my favorite uncle. I smile as I open the message. Ted was not writing to gloat. He didnt even mention the election. He was writing to offer thoughts on an article on Thrivents intranet site highlighting veterans work. He discussed Thanksgiving plans and wished my family well. He was making an authentic connection despite political divisiveness around us and demonstrating genuine care. In a world where we are increasingly sucked into echo chambers of our individual beliefs, the workplace remains a place where we can connect with people with different beliefs and recognize that it is possible not only to work together, but to do work together. For those of us lucky enough to work at a purpose-based and values-driven company, now is the time to lean into those strengths, focus on growth and the impact we have, even amidst differences. Everyone should belong at work Thrivent is a Fortune 500 financial services company whose purpose is to empower lives of service and faith. It is a unique organization that faces cultural challenges of divisiveness just like any large corporation today. Regardless of politics, I want Thrivent to continue to be a place where both Ted and I belong. I read Teds email and thought about this for a moment, and then about my team, and our upcoming daytoday of all daysof team building that had been on the calendar for months. I sent them an email with the subject Taking on the day. In it, I included the following: I am cognizant of how divisive our country is right now, and how divided we are, and how, regardless of the outcome of the election, we would all be among people who are hurting and worried today. I know you all care about this team just as I do. I was thinking about our shared values at Thrivent and how relevant they can be as guiding principles for how we get through tough days together: Empathyrecognize that we all have our own emotional journeys today and be there for one another Authenticitydont be afraid to be real with each other, and know that that realness will be met with empathy Commitmentkeep moving forward and look for opportunities to serve, and live into the community that we want to be a part of Impactrecognize the strength of our collective effort, and the good that we can do in the world when we focus our energy together Gratitudeeven on the difficult days, take comfort in all the gifts that we have, including the gift of each other These are Thrivents values. They are not the values of Republicans or Democrats, red states or blue. At workat my workthey rally us despite forces that could otherwise divide. There are many corporations whose purpose and values put them squarely on one side of a social issue. Most large organizations, though, do not have a purpose that puts them on one end of a political spectrum or another, and, therefore, can be a place where people can work together to have impact despite political differences. In the worldview that Ted and I share, our greatest role in work, and life, is to love one another. There is no room for civil war in this worldview. Using shared purpose and values at work is a unifier that helps us find love for all. Lets get to work. Carolyn Sakstrup is EVP and chief growth and generosity officer at Thrivent.
Category:
E-Commerce
The connection between innovation and climate action has never been more vital. As the urgency of global climate goals intensifies, industries are being forced to rethink old methods and adopt bold, forward-thinking solutions to drive real progress. At the same time, more than 60 recent and upcoming global elections, including the return of a Trump administration in the U.S., could signal major shifts in federal climate policies. Yet one thing remains certain: Businesses and investors are not waiting for governments to take the lead. Sustainability is still a priority, pushing companies to focus on transparency and take tangible steps to meet climate challenges head on. So what does it take to navigate these complexities? I spoke with Erik Saito of Workiva, a cloud-based financial reporting platform, to explore the importance of data transparency and how integrated reporting can create a singular story about impact. How can innovation help tackle issues like inconsistent standards, scattered data and complex regulations, bring everything together to drive real change? Innovation is key because it lets us tackle challenges with fresh perspectives and practical solutions. It helps break down barriers, sparks new ideas, drives smarter processes, and enables technologies that help us reduce emissions, use resources more efficiently, and discover sustainable solutions we couldnt have imagined just a few years ago. But perhaps most importantly, innovation brings people and ideas together, empowering us to address these challenges collaboratively and create meaningful, lasting change. Its the driving force that turns sustainability goals into real, impactful action. What sparked Workivas move toward sustainability? The shift was really a natural evolution. As more companies recognized the importance of sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG), there was a clear need for delivering the same transparency and accuracy in financial reporting to this space. We saw an opportunity to help companies navigate these evolvingand oftentimes challengingnew requirements, making their ESG data just as reliable and actionable as their financial data. The shift wasnt just because of customer demand; it aligned with our mission, which is to power transparent reporting for a better world. Were there any themes at Novembers COP29, the United Nations Climate Change conference, that stood out as especially promising or transformative? To no surprise, a large focus of this years event was on the need for standardization in sustainability reporting. I think that can be reflected by how financial reporting went through the same process as it matured, with stakeholders recognizing that consistency, transparency, and comparability are essentialsomething we’re now seeing in the ESG field. The EUs Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, or CSRD, is a great example of the push for standardization, and it was a hot topic at COP29. The CSRD significantly expands the number of companies required to report on ESG metrics and it uses detailed, standardized guidelines to ensure consistency. This kind of uniformity is helping organizations and investors get a clearer picture of ESG risks and opportunities, which is driving it deeper into core business strategies. I see regulations like the CSRD as a real opportunity for companies. Its a chance to drive meaningful change, invest in sustainable practices, and create long-term value. Its also a way to build resilience and lay a strong foundation to weather the kind of volatility were seeing in todays macro environment. Do you think companies will continue retreating from their sustainability commitments or even abandoned them altogether, either due to investor pressure or the current economic and political landscape? Are there risks in doing so? Weve been tracking this sentiment through surveys over the past few years, and the data tells a different story. In our 2024 Executive Benchmark on Integrated Reporting, not only did 82% of institutional investors report that they havent changed how they make investment decisions despite recent criticism of ESG, but 91% of executives also agreed that integrated financial and ESG reporting offers a more holistic view of performance. Companies that step back now risk damaging their reputation, losing investor confidence, and falling behind in a world thats increasingly focused on ESG. Customers, investors, and regulators are all demanding more transparency, not less. Those who dont keep up could find themselves struggling to compete. In 2025, I think well see more companies adopt tools and strategies that help them stay on track, even in tough economic or political environments. The shift were seeing is clearsustainability isnt just good for the planet; its good for business. Given the uncertainty of the evolving climate landscape, what advice do you have for companies reporting on ESG factors? You need to invest in innovation. I think a lot of us are used to doing manual, time-consuming work because thats how its always been done. But today, technology has advanced to the point where we dont have to settle for business as usual. Technology allows businesses to integrate financial, ESG, sustainability, compliance, and risk management into a cohesive frameworkone that tells a powerful, unified story to stakeholders. Technology strengthens your business value by demonstrating measurable impact, enhancing transparency, and enabling smarter decision making. Organizations that prioritize unifying these areas through innovation dont just stay competitivethey build trust, drive sustainable growth, and future-proof their business in an increasingly complex world. Celia Jones is global chief marketing officer of FINN Partners.
Category:
E-Commerce
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