Customer Reviews

The High-Purpose Company: The TRULY Responsible (and Highly Profitable) Firms That Are Changing Business Now

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I am a professional in the Corporate social responsibility field who has been very disturbed by the tendency in the field to focus upon right and wrong, good and bad companies while seemingly missing a critical point- businesses are in the business of pleasing shareholders. Ms Arena's book opened up a rare vantage into the CSR filed by demonstrating the business case for CSR and in addition inspiring me by the stories of tremendous good that these very same financially successful firms were achieving.
I beleive that we are seeing a revolution in Capitalism of revival of the interconnections between the common good and the good of the company- Christine has built the foundation for seeing first hand how financial success and doing good are interdependent.
I am very excited by what I have read and individually inspired to pass the word on to colleagues about her book- it is highly readable- well written unlike many business books and full of juicy tid bits about companies i have both admired like Toyota and also those that I would never have thought were worth admiring.

If you have gotten cynical about corporate social responsibility - this is the book for you! Very hopeful and accessible, even inspiring!

Christine Arena paints a whole different picture of socially responsible companies - they are making money BY being socially responsible, not IN SPITE OF it.

It's research, but not stuffy or academic. The case studies make for a great read - I highly recommend The High Purpose Company.

This is a great book for those who are just learning about CSR as well as those with more experience. The author does a great job of illustrating both successes and failures and asks the readers to really examine the subject of corporate responsibility. Readers learn to explore if companies are just putting on a good act or really making significant, positive strides in their business practices.

"A well-written and engaging book that offers a new perspective on corporate social responsibility. Arena clearly presents her points and methodology, alternating between compelling case studies and tightly defined frameworks."
- Liz Maw, Executive Director, Net Impact

"Kudos to Christine Arena for daring to challenge sound-bite thinking! She asks important questions and requires the reader to take a fresh look at what it means for companies to be responsible."
- Sue Mecklenburg, vice president sustainable procurement practices, Starbucks Coffee Company

"Arena cuts through the hype and de-mystifies what can seem like a very complex field. This book is a must read for CEO's and future leaders of firms of all sizes."
- Linda Dunkel, President & CEO, Interaction Associates

"Arena strikes a healthy balance by looking at what's right and wrong with the CSR movement. She manages to inspire without ignoring the challenges ahead."
- Mats Lederhausen, managing director, McDonald's Ventures

"An important and much-needed book. Arena unlocked the secret at the heart of business - that companies that say "it's only business" may be abandoning the maximized profit they so monomaniacally seek."
- Gil Friend, CEO, Natural Logic