In the rapidly evolving business world marked by reputational crises, waning trust, and growing scrutiny, business leaders are advised to engage closely with their stakeholders to comprehend their needs and strengthen relationships. This is the overarching theme unraveled by thought leaders in “Social Capital Matters,” the innovative podcast series presented by Asia-Pacific’s strategic communication consultancy, Baldwin Boyle Group.
“Social Capital Matters” – Unraveling the Dynamics of Business World
The podcast series lays out an explorative journey into how businesses can cultivate trust, retain cultural significance, and balance the varying interests of employees, customers, communities, and investors. Guided by Kylie Taylor, the group managing director at Baldwin Boyle Group, each episode introduces change-makers from diverse regions discussing how businesses can function with integrity while confronting a spectrum of issues, from social and environmental concerns, cultural disputes, generational power shifts, stakeholder activism, to an indifferent workforce.
The Imperative of Open and Honest Engagement
Kylie Taylor emphasized the increasing accountability organizations are facing, magnified through social media’s powerful lens. “Increasingly, organisations are held accountable, and we are seeing this more through the power of social media. This signals that the need to engage with people openly and honestly has never been more important,” she said.
She further stated, “Successful businesses are those that are building social capital by communicating authentically and meaningfully with stakeholders at every level, whether it’s rallying behind a corporate purpose that resonates with them, or ensuring feedback channels are in place to bring the stakeholder perspective into the organisation. To credibly build social capital requires acute cultural literacy, a willingness to really listen to your stakeholders and a commitment to being transparent about your achievements and challenges.”
An Insightful Journey Across Six Episodes
The first season of “Social Capital Matters” encapsulates six enriching episodes:
- “Redefining Boundaries: East & West, Left & Right” with David Black, CEO of Blackbox.
- “Transparency: The Imperative Media Sees Through” with Sharanjit Leyl, renowned international journalist.
- “Sustainability: A Non-Negotiable Aspect of Business” with Dr. Darian McBain, CEO of Outsourced Chief Sustainability Officer Asia.
- “Workplace Power Shifts: Employees Calling the Shots” with Sue Stoneman, founder of NKD.
- “Purpose Beyond Profit: Solving Real-World Problems” with Christian Ihre, co-founder of Lynxeye.
- “Cultural Literacy: A Key to Success Amid Distrust” with Melissa O’Neill, senior group director, Corporate Affairs, Worley.
Changing Dynamics: Millennial Impact and Shift in Power Paradigms
The series also sheds light on generational changes breaking down traditional social and political norms, primarily driven by Millennials and Gen Z. Sue Stoneman noted the younger generation’s profound influence in reshaping work cultures globally and holding employers accountable for actions incongruous with their values. Similarly, David Black highlighted the shifting understanding of ‘left’ and ‘right’ among the younger generation, replacing these dichotomies with success or failure.
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Understanding and Addressing Stakeholder Concerns
Kylie Taylor emphasized the need for businesses to grasp issues affecting stakeholders across the political and social spectrum. This demands collaboration and co-creation that leverage several disciplines – from research, brand, risk management, sustainability, PR, corporate communications, to employee engagement and media relations, she explained.
“Social Capital Matters” – A Thought-Provoking Series
While “Social Capital Matters” does not profess to have all answers, the series aims to provide listeners with more profound insights through engaging dialogues with insightful individuals.
You can catch all six episodes on their website, www.baldwinboyle.com, or your favorite podcast platform.
