In order to make change happen in the workplace, companies and individuals need to shift their ideas about what work is, and what a job entails.
One company that is trying to enable this change is http://www.justmeans.com/
Why is Just Means important?
The goal of JustMeans is to question the assumptions behind how we have traditionally thought of value. Both how organizations create value and also what we value in our lives. Our goal is to showcase the organizations, ideas, people, and collaborations that are shaping the future of business. In providing a platform where thousands of individuals and companies trade knowledge, we hope to exponentially lower the transaction cost of doing business in the world of social responsibility. Only then will we be able to create the sustainable future and lives that so many of us want.
We call JustMeans the trading floor for social responsibility. In the old days, trading floors were established to drive down the transaction costs of trading commodities and equities. Lower transaction costs meant that more deals could be done, more goods traded. Back then, value was defined by a price. Today, it is as well, but there is much behind that price. If you create a $0.79 pork burrito, does that price accurately reflect the externalities on the environment, labor, or our health care system? In our own neighborhood in Harlem, 125th street is lined with every fast food restaurant where a full meal can be bought for $5. As Amartya Sen has pointed out, the average longevity of a resident of certain poor neighborhoods in New York is lower than that of an average citizen in Bangladesh.
What are the main types of jobs on your site?
JustMeans is different from other platform in that we believe that you can create change in all three sectors (non-profit, for-profit and government). Companies that use JustMeans to find talent include entrepreneurial non-profit organizations, clean technology firms, socially responsible venture capital firms, Fortune 100 companies, small to medium growing businesses, and development project management positions. Most people that use JustMeans have a real skillset, like marketing, finance, or engineering and are looking to implement that skillset to help grow a business or department.
Why did you start Just Means?
After studying economics at the University of Chicago, I was concerned about the lack of focus on externalities/public goods in the curriculum. Value was defined by short term financial gain and this definition shaped my colleagues perception on the role of business in society. A successful business was one that created short term financial value at all costs, a successful career was defined by the size of your paycheck.
As a result, I created StartingBloc, a non-profit organization that educates, empowers and connects emerging leaders to drive positive social change across sectors. The organization started with a $1,000 grant from the University of Chicago and I continued work on it for over four years. The idea was to create a competitive leadership development program for undergraduates and young professionals. In partnership with leading business schools, we showcased the people, organizations and models of change that were driving the fields of social enterprise and sustainability forward. Running the organization was tremendously rewarding but I felt that we needed a place where these ideas could be showcased to many more people.
The companies that use your site include Timbaland, Jumpstart and MBAs without Borders. What do companies like these have in common?
They all share an understanding that there are many groups that companies/organizations should be accountable to beyond just investors/donors. These groups include current and potential employees, customers, vendors, suppliers, communities, journalists (both old and new), and the environment.
Do people who work for a meaningful purpose enjoy their jobs more than other people?
Yes. I think this is just human nature. People are inherently good. If you are working on something that you are passionate about and also has a positive impact on the world, you are going to feel like you are an active participant in shaping your reality. Paulo Freire, author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed, discusses how the lack of meaningful work is one form of oppression. Through work, people become active participants in creating their world. If you do not enjoy your work or find freedom through it, you are essentially oppressing yourself.
What is your number one tip for being fulfilled in your job?
Figure out what you are passionate about. The money will follow.
If you are interested in finding out more, check out http://www.JustMeans.com
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