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America is at a generational tipping point. The next five years will usher in a whole new class of leaders as powerful positions shift from one generation to the next. Leadership roles are transitioning away from baby boomers, whether they like it or not. Millennials and Gen Z are poised to rise in the ranks, however much of the business canon and available literature offers advice from an irrelevant worlda world before hybrid offices, social media, and kiss cams at Coldplay concerts. Leaders are navigating digital and IRL (in real life) challenges where the older generations leadership styles are incongruous with the current moments needs. So how does one navigate management and remain a values-driven millennial? Have no fear, a well thought out guidebook is here! Amanda Litmans new book When Were in Charge: The Next Generations Guide to Leadership thoughtfully shares advice collected from over 100 interviews with next-gen leaders across all industriesincluding Litmans own experience charting a path as cofounder of Run for Something. FILLING THE BUSINESS BOOK CANON GAP In her formative experience leading Run for Something as a 27-year-old, Litman was frequently the youngest person in the room. The business books she turned to did not teach how to assert authority in these situations, let alone how to craft her social media presence in harmony with her leadership style, or how to balance burnout while role-modeling a culture of balance (that still pursues profit). It was Litmans search for maternity leave options as a founder that sharpened her realization: The gap between the advice she was getting from boomers, and the world she was navigating, was widening. When Were in Charge highlights Litmans experience navigating maternity leave, alongside her many other experiences like implementing and protecting a 4-day work week, and even simply, figuring out how to dress professionally while being true to oneself. This book, with its collection of insights from founders across industries. It is especially useful for anyone thinking about moving into a leadership role in the near future when particularly tired of the always on management styles of previous generations. The book is clearly written for its audience, so boomers beware. And also note: If youre looking for advice on how to balance payroll with cashflowthis is not that kind of business book. WHY WORK SHOULDNT SUCK I had the opportunity to catch up with Litman about her book launch and its pivotal timing for those 40 and under. One way younger leaders can navigate the current climateand any climateLitman believes, is with a new set of values. That includes one distinct value that work shouldnt suck. Litman shares that, Misery is not inherently necessary for things to be good, or for things to be worth it. Suffering doesnt add value in the end. For anyone wondering what this looks like in practice, part two of Litmans book goes into detail on how to implement and protect things like a 4-day work week and a culture of work-life balance within your organization. Throughout the book, but this section in particular, are practical tips from non-boomer founders, managers, politicians, and leaders. Part two has a particularly helpful section on meetings, where millennial founder Danielle Kantor of Sticky Note Labs shares actionable tips on how to structure meetings and use the time effectively. Meetings arent the problemits how were using them says Kantor. Aside from the practical elements, Litman is thinking big, and remains optimistic about this generational shift. I think we can establish a new way of leadership that becomes systemic. Maybe I am a little too optimistic, but as the world burns, we get to decide how we want to rebuild it and we are not beholden to the way things were done yesterday, as we decide how the world is going to be tomorrow. We get a chance to do it differently, Litman says. And if youre wondering how to do this as a first-time manager or CEO, Litmans When Were in Charge offers both the practical tools and the generational mindset to lead differentlyand dare I say, better than before. Maureen Brown is CEO and cofounder of Mosie Baby.
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E-Commerce
Sustainability once sounded like the pinnacle of progressa badge brands wore proudly to signal responsibility on climate, health, and the environment. But for todays consumers, especially Gen Z, sustainable feels like standing still while the planet unravels. In the face of climate chaos, depleted soils, and vanishing biodiversity, maintaining the status quo is no longer enough. The call of our time is not just to sustain, but to restoreto repair whats been broken and restore whats been lost. I spoke with Gary Hirshberg, cofounder of Stonyfield Farm, about this new generation of consumers, the fundamental shift in product expectations, and the important role of agriculture. Q: Sustainability isnt enough anymore. Whats changing? Hirshberg: Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword. Todays younger consumers are not satisfied with talk and small token actions that commanded respect in the past. They actually know the difference between verbiage and meaningful action and are also far less inclined to applaud brands for simply reducing impacts. Instead, through social media and particularly influencers, they seek companies that are endeavoring to regenerate our planet by actively restoring the soil, rebuilding ecosystems, and strengthening local communities. And because they dont trust companies and institutions, they require third-party verification of these claims. Seventy-nine percent of shoppers consider sustainability before making a buying decision, according to a recent IPG study. But it doesnt stop there, with 63% of consumers willing to pay more for products with features like ethical sourcing or recyclable packaging. From groceries to skincare to clothing, eco-conscious consumers are driving change. According to the same IPG study, 92% of consumers want to know what brands are doing to fight climate change. Q: Why should agriculture lead this shift? Hirshberg: Agriculture is one of humanitys most significant contributors to climate change and is directly responsible for approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with some sources estimating it contributes up to 25% when including emissions from land use changes like deforestation and monocropping, and also the manufacture of inputs like nitrogen fertilizers. These emissions, which include methane and nitrous oxide, come from processes like livestock, soil management, and the energy used in farm operations and transportation. But thanks to Rodale Institute and numerous other scientific organizations globally, we now know that organic practices produce significantly and sustainably lower emissions. By analyzing over a thousand soil samples organically and conventionally managed from across 48 U.S. states, The Organic Center and Northeastern University found that organic soils had 13% higher soil organic matter and 44% higher long-term carbon storage than conventionally managed soils. Recent studies by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and the Rodale Institute postulate that 30 to 40% of GHG emissions could be captured if cropland transitioned to organic farming. The solutions are at hand, and fortunately todays younger and better educated consumers are demanding them. I spent three decades growing Stonyfield Farm into one of the most trusted organic brands in America and the world, and I remain active with the company today. But our growth and loyalty are not just from what we sayour investments in advertising are a rounding error next to our conventional nonorganic counterparts. Instead, with social media and influencers, we have shown the dramatic climate and environmental results our farmers have achieved with significant increases in soil carbon, biodiversity, nitrogen reductions and retention, animal health, and other positive indicators. We have seen and shown first-hand that how we grow our food matters, and consumers are paying attention. Now, on the backs of decades of organic progress and results, we are witnessing increased interest in the notion of regenerative farming methods. But savvy consumers know that unless these systems are also organically certified, using the new Regenerative Organic certification, they are likely to be highly prone to greenwashing. Real climate progress can only be made when synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and the resulting dangerous nitrous oxide emissions are halted. And, true carbon sequestration requires soil ecology improvement below one meter of depth, as is the case with most organic systems. Regenerative Organic certified agriculture builds on the important foundation of USDA Organic standards by adding benchmarks for soil health and animal welfare, created to replenish our planet with nutrients for generations to come. Developed by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, this ensures farms are focused on contributing to ecosystem health by building topsoil, drawing carbon from the atmosphere, and investing in farm worker welfare. And because USDA certified organic standards require third-party inspections, verification, and reporting, consumers can have a far higher assurance that these practices are actually being used, versus simply depending on companies vague claims. Q: How should brands communicate the difference? Hirshberg: The market is saturated with vague sustainability claims and brands greenwashing, with terms splashed across packaging without clear definition of proof points. Organic brands across all sectors are growing faster than their conventional counterparts primarily because the emerging generation of younger, more educated parents and consumers are choosing to support verified practices. These consumers seek clarity and brands they can trust, and labels like Regenerative Organic Certified and USDA Organic are helping to cut through the noise and guide conscious consumers towards verified impact. Yet, theres still work to be done. IPG found that while 74% of people say certifications are important in buying decisions, many dont understand what these seals mean. Thats why education is criticalfor consumers and brands. According to a recent OTA study, consumers love free-from language or claims like no added hormones, but dont realize that organic certifications meet these expectations. Additionally, the study shares that the more consumers are familiar with specific characteristics like organic, the more likely they are to purchase. The label isnt enoughwe must tell the story behind it. Q: How are organizations like Stoyfield Farm helping consumers recognize and avoid greenwashing? Hirshberg: When we founded Stonyfield over 40 years ago, we learned that communicating the why behind organic was just as important as the what. And today, that is even more urgent. Consumers are hungry for stories of integrity, and regenerative organic agriculture offers a roadmap. Consumers are not just asking for change, theyre living it and demanding companies do the same. Jeff Tkach is CEO of Rodale Institute.
Category:
E-Commerce
It appears that day trading could get easier. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, known as FINRA, on Tuesday announced it had approved amendments that will replace the current day trading and pattern day trading rules, “including the minimum equity of $25,000 for pattern day traders.” The proposed change, if approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), would mean traders would no longer need to maintain a minimum $25,000 balance in a margin account to execute four or more day trades within a five-business-day period, CNBC reported. Here’s a quick breakdown of what that means. What is day trading? Day trading, as defined by FINRAs margin rule, refers to a trading strategy where an individual buys and sells (or sells and buys) the same security in a margin account on the same day, in an attempt to profit from small movements in the price of the security. FINRAs margin rule for day trading applies to day trading in any security, including options. Day trading in a cash account is not permitted. All securities purchased in the cash account must be paid for in full before they are sold. What constitutes a pattern day trader? According to FINRA rules, youre considered a pattern day trader if you execute four or more day trades within five business daysprovided that the number of day trades represents more than 6% of your total trades in the margin account for that same five business day period. Why the change? The changes come as part of FINRA’s attempt to adapt their rules for todays high-tech trading environment. The proposal incorporates feedback FINRA received from member firms, industry groups, and investors. The Boards recent approval and discussion of various rule proposals are a key part of FINRA’s ongoing efforts to enhance its regulatory effectiveness and efficiency through the FINRA Forward initiative, FINRA board chair Scott Curtis said in a statement. The Board and FINRAs leadership team will continue to prioritize helping enable member firms to better serve investors and facilitate strong and fair capital markets. FINRA announced that the move follows a retrospective review that considered input from brokerage firms, industry groups, and investors. If approved, it would be one of the most significant changes in trading rules since 2001, when the pattern day trading rule was put in place to protect less experienced investors from large losses.
Category:
E-Commerce
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