In the news like in advertising and in entertainment, constant appeal to negativity, fear, violence and conflicting thoughts is often the go-to technique. And there is both a neurological reason and a business reason for it: it works. Problem is, it is actually hurting people mentally and sometimes even physically at the same time. The good news is that recent science and business studies demonstrate that positivity is actually incredibly good for business, in terms of performance, sales, profitability and motivation. So now you can have your cake and eat it too, while being kind to your customers. Why does negativity stick? Most neuroscientists will tell you that negative thoughts appeal to the human brain faster and stick better than positive ones. And it shows in many ways: In relationships, [...]

In this second article of our series about The Rise of the Conscious Consumer (and what it means for your brand), I would like to get further into drawing the profile of the new player I call The Conscious Consumer, its behaviors and expectations toward brands. While Milton Friedman famously argued that “There is one and only one social responsibility of business – to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game” and went on to win a Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. Well… Friedman is dead.  And so is his doctrine. Friedman is Dead, Long Live Purpose - Indeed, according to a 2018 Cone/Porter Novelli Purpose Study, 78% of Americans now believe companies must [...]

In this first article of our series about The Rise of the Conscious Consumer (and what it means for your brand), I would like to introduce you to a new player, whose profile we were able to draw from our research, based on more than a dozen recently published studies by leading business and academic organizations. Out of many they are ONE Environmentally conscious consumers—whom Unilever says represent over $1 trillion for brands willing to make their sustainable credentials clear—have become the majority in most economically developed countries. Everywhere we looked, research shows that a large majority of consumers believe positive environmental and social impact are important, even very important. At least 2/3 of respondents—sometimes even up to 8 out of 10—are prioritizing environmental and social matters in their expectations [...]

A white paper and article series – by Thierry Daher & Positive Solutions As we went through 2018, it gradually appeared to me that beyond the evident conflicts  and divisions that seem to dominate our world, and cluster the news media headlines, there is in fact a deeper, powerful and more conscious reality that is starting to emerge. As we are now taking our first steps into 2019, I would like to point out an alternative trend to the relentless tech-accelerating, attention-grabbing, consumption-driven spiral we often seem to be sucked in. One that I believe is emerging everywhere in the economically-developed world, growing and expanding its social and economic power. To the point where brands are starting to notice, and start to abide by, the hopes and expectations of this [...]

We are very proud to have interviewed Jeffrey Sachs for this 6th episode of our short film series "Climate . Change". Jeffrey Sachs is a University Professor at Columbia University and Sr Advisor to the United Nations on Sustainability. He exposes here the rapid downward spiral into extreme and violent climate conditions for decades to come, unless all of society unites in the fight against global warming, now. https://youtu.be/SiJ2u_fy9YQ "Climate . Change" is a short documentary series directed by Thierry Daher & Julie Benasra and produced by Positive Solutions (www.positivesolutions.net) with the support of Solutions & Co by Sparknews (www.solutionsandco.org) #positivesolutionsagency #COP24 #climateaction #climatechange #changingtogether #Ideas4Climate #Climate #JeffreySachs #UN

We feel inspired to release Episode 5 of our short film series "Climate . Change" in which José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO of bound4blue, explains how his Barcelona startup has developed a collapsible mast and rigid sail system that will enable existing or upcoming merchant ships to use wind and save both significant money on gas and reduce toxic gas emissions into the atmosphere. A 1% penetration rate in the maritime industry of bound4blue technology is equivalent to eliminating 4 million diesel cars off the roads. https://youtu.be/pYkzhkozoXc "Climate . Change" is a short documentary series directed by Thierry Daher & Julie Benasra and produced by Positive Solutions (www.positivesolutions.net) with the support of Solutions & Co by Sparknews (www.solutionsandco.org) #positivesolutionsagency #COP24 #Katowice #climateaction #climatechange #changingtogether #Ideas4Climate #Climate #JoseMiguelBermudez #Bound4Blue

In Episode 4 of our short film series "Climate . Change”, Dr Elizabeth Latham, PhD, Founder of Bezoar Laboratories, presents her patented innovation: a probiotic formulation fed to cows that reduces by 50% their daily emissions of methane, which is responsible for no less than 25% of Climate Change. An amazing discovery that also makes meat and milk safer and cheaper to produce. https://youtu.be/QR77Zq5Uofc "Climate . Change" is a short documentary series directed by Thierry Daher & Julie Benasra and produced by Positive Solutions (www.positivesolutions.net) with the support of Solutions & Co (www.solutionsandco.org). #positivesolutionsagency #COP24 #climateaction #climatechange #changingtogether #Ideas4Climate #Climate #ElizabethLatham #BezoarLaboratories

We are proud to release Episode 3 of our short film Series "Climate . Change", featuring Alzbeta Klein, Global Head of Climate Business at the IFC - International Finance Corporation / The World Bank, who unveils the $23 trillion opportunity that climate change represents for tech companies, startups and financiers. https://youtu.be/T-SPpIkNvmw "Climate . Change" is a short documentary series directed by Thierry Daher & Julie Benasra and produced by Positive Solutions (www.positivesolutions.net) with the support of Solutions & Co by Sparknews (www.solutionsandco.org) #positivesolutionsagency #COP24 #Katowice #climateaction #climatechange #changingtogether #Ideas4Climate #Climate #AlzbetaKlein #IFC #Worldbank

In Episode 2 of our short film series "Climate . Change", Anjuli Pandit, Head of Corporate Sustainability at BNP Paribas in the UK, guides us through the mechanisms of climate change, and outlines the doom scenario we all face unless we, as consumers and business people, do not start to act and consume more consciously and responsibly. https://youtu.be/AodOXPfVVm0 "Climate . Change" is a short documentary series directed by Thierry Daher & Julie Benasra and produced by Positive Solutions (www.positivesolutions.net) with the support of Solutions & Co by Sparknews (www.solutionsandco.org) #positivesolutionsagency #COP24 #Katowice #climateaction #climatechange #changingtogether #Ideas4Climate #Climate #AnjuliPandit #BNPP #CSR

The COP24 has started. Positive Solutions is glad to release Episode 1 of our short film series "Climate . Change”, with Bertrand Piccard, Initiator & Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation, who shares his insights on today's environmental trends and the risk that businesses incur if they do not adapt to the new climate crisis situation. Tremendous opportunity or certain doom...? Such seems to be the binary choice we face. https://youtu.be/jJYQDv1r2-0 "Climate . Change" is a short documentary series directed by Thierry Daher & Julie Benasra and produced by Positive Solutions (www.positivesolutions.net) with the support of Solutions & Co by Sparknews (www.solutionsandco.org) #positivesolutionsagency #COP24 #Katowice #climateaction #climatechange #changingtogether #Ideas4Climate #Climate #BertrandPiccard #SolarImpulse