Here’s How America’s CEOs Can Live Up to the Business Roundtable’s New Purpose Statement

With the recent release of the Business Roundtable’s statement about redefining the purpose of a corporation, there have been a range of responses, some skeptical, on how companies can turn this lofty statement into a tangible reality. While initially it may seem challenging, it is an attainable goal if companies take concrete steps to invest in our nation’s future leaders.

The statement’s opening line focuses on an economy that allows each person to succeed. In order do so, all companies need to invest not only in their current employees, but in the rising talent sitting in America’s high school classrooms – especially in communities that lack access to opportunity. This will lead to greater value for customers, increased employee engagement, a diverse workforce, stronger communities, and long-term shareholder value.

Some simple but impactful ways to get involved include participating in work-based learning activities with local high schools, such as sharing your industry expertise through guest speaking, informational interviews, and job shadows with high school students. Through this partnership, companies will begin to benefit from their creativity, native understanding of technology, and innovative solutions for problem-solving. To increase impact, companies can hire paid high school interns who can contribute work of value and are eager to strengthen their skillset. Together, we can ensure that our schools have the tools and resources they need to support an economy that allows each person to succeed.

Every business, education, and community leader should take this new purpose statement to heart and hold each other accountable in embedding these principles into the fabric of every company, so that we may enjoy a better and brighter world for generations to come.

Signatories to the Business Roundtable statement who are working with NAF to shape their future workforce include: AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, KPMG, SAP, Mastercard, United Technologies Corporation, World Wide Technology, and more.