Alone Quote by Paul Polman
“I actually am a capitalist, and I believe in shareholders. But I believe in them as a result of what I do, not as a reason for what I'm doing. The same with profits - profits alone cannot be an objective. It has to have a purpose.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: World Economic Forum, 2018
He argues that shareholders and profits should serve a higher purpose, not be ends themselves.
In simple terms: Shareholders need purpose.
Key Takeaway
Align profit with purpose.
Themes
business ethics
purpose
shareholder value
profitability
corporate responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- strategic planning
- corporate governance
- investment decisions
- social impact
- product development
Key Concepts
Stakeholder theory
sustainable capitalism
value creation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can companies embed purpose into profit goals?
- What metrics balance profit and societal benefit?
A Different Perspective
Profit focus alone can ignore social and environmental costs.
