A Better World, Inc. by Alice Korngold Summary

A Better World, Inc. argues that multinational corporations can drive global problem-solving while generating profits, focusing on sustainability, ESG (environmental, social, governance), and corporate-NGO partnerships. The book illustrates how businesses address challenges like climate change and inequality through case studies, emphasizing board governance and metrics for impact. Korngold positions companies as critical agents of change where governments fall short.

This book targets executives, board members, CSR professionals, and policymakers seeking strategies to align profit with social impact. It’s also valuable for nonprofit leaders exploring corporate partnerships and students studying sustainable business models. Readers gain actionable insights into governance frameworks and cross-sector collaboration.

Yes, for its evidence-based approach to corporate social responsibility. The book blends academic rigor with real-world examples, offering a roadmap for businesses to tackle global issues like poverty and climate change. Reviewers praise its practicality for leaders aiming to balance profitability and purpose.

Korngold redefines governance by linking it to sustainability and ESG outcomes. She advocates for boards to prioritize long-term societal impact alongside shareholder value, using tools like diversity initiatives and stakeholder engagement metrics. The book highlights governance as a lever for systemic change.

Key frameworks include:

• Three-Step Model: Identify global challenges, align corporate assets, measure outcomes.
• Cross-Sector Partnerships: Blueprints for corporate-NGO collaboration.
• ESG Integration: Embedding sustainability into core business strategies.

Korngold uses case studies from companies like HP and American Express, demonstrating successful CSR initiatives. She also cites decades of research on board governance and leadership development, drawing from her consulting work with Fortune 100 firms.

Nonprofits are depicted as essential partners for corporations, offering expertise in social and environmental issues. The book stresses the importance of board diversity and strategic alignment to maximize collective impact.

Korngold positions climate action as both a moral imperative and business opportunity. She urges companies to invest in renewable energy, reduce supply chain emissions, and collaborate with NGOs on climate resilience projects.

While praised for its vision, some note the book assumes corporate willingness to prioritize ethics over short-term gains. Critics suggest deeper analysis of regulatory hurdles and competing stakeholder interests.

Compared to Leveraging Good Will (2005), this book expands from nonprofit engagement to global systemic change. It integrates newer concepts like ESG metrics and emphasizes multinational corporations as central actors.

With rising ESG reporting mandates and climate urgency, the book’s strategies for sustainable business models remain critical. Its focus on measurable impact aligns with current trends in corporate accountability.

• “Profit and purpose are mutually reinforcing, not opposing forces.”
• “The most resilient companies solve problems governments cannot.”

These lines encapsulate Korngold’s thesis on capitalism’s potential for societal transformation.