10 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Change the Social & Economic Story

Men and women who create for-profit and nonprofit new ventures can and should do things of the kind that politicians often neglect, negate, or avoid. Entrepreneurs can quietly change the story, one organization at a time, whatever governments may, or may not do.

Here are ten ways venture founders can alter the course implied by what we know of Donald Trump's intentions. They are all within our own authority, not those of government. We can:

• actively appreciate the economic and social needs of disadvantaged groups and consider how our own organization can make a difference—or start a new one that can; at least ensure that our own organization does not contribute to disadvantage;
• be inquisitive about rural and underserved populations adversely impacted by political, economic and tech change—and examine ways that our organization can make a positive contribution, including the offer of products, services or employment;
• create employment inclusive policies on gender, race and religion; offer all employees dignity and respect, by providing healthcare, parental leave, clear policies on sexual harassment, and the opportunity for participation in decision-making and sharing organizational success;
• take the opportunity to participate the life of local communities to mutual advantage, through direct civic engagement, as well as supporting employee volunteering; become involved in community supported enterprises;
• evaluate all practices of the organization that may contribute directly or indirectly to climate change—and introduce ways that will reduce pollution; seek to be powered by clean energy and move to zero waste;
• ensure that the pay ratio between the highest and lowest paid members of the organization does not exceed 20:1 (as it was in 1965) to reduce financial inequity, given that the ratio between average American CEO pay and worker pay is now 303-to-1;
• re-examine the consequences of all purchasing decisions, in order to avoid pain and hardship, either in supplier organizations or the local and global community; research supplier behaviors on socio-economic parameters;
• commit to support the lifelong learning of all members of the organization, regardless of where they are starting or what position they hold—through internal development programs and external qualifications;
• employ socially responsible financial policies that do not disfavor any stakeholder, either close at hand or nationally, as well as avoiding immoral or self-serving practices, such as the avoidance of repatriating foreign profits;
• build a widely communicated progressive corporate story that is reflected through the behaviors of everyone in the organization and enshrined in all official organizational procedures; regularly monitor its reality.

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