How to make a profit while making a difference | Audrey Choi

Can global capital markets become catalysts for social change? According to investment expert Audrey Choi, individuals own almost half of all global capital, giving them (us!) the power to make a difference by investing in companies that champion social values and sustainability. "We have more opportunity today than ever before to make choices," she says. "So change your perspective. Invest in the change you want to see in the world."

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[boundsuccess]

I've made it my mission that before I leave this world I get a chance to talk on TED. I have a life story I would love to share.

[chromanin]

Wake up folks, what good is 'sustainable investing' if our debt economies are themselves unsustainable?

[mithulanaik]

If you observe yourself while listening to this talk you will figure out if you are innately an optimist or pessimist.

[tarekabuaita]

fantastic speech and awesome subject to be discussed with the listener.

[tylerguitar]

Profits already make a difference - businesses are built, jobs are created, new things invented, all for the sake of the individual. Nothing more is needed except more freedom for achievers to achieve.

[carpo]

The reason we cannot trust institutions like big corporations is because they answer to share holder, NOT to the people. The customer may have a say in what is created, but very little, as many corporations have enough money to convince people they need crap they never knew they wanted.
The bigger they get, the less they have to answer to bad dealings. They can push it off onto a ;board of directors' or claim that the shareholders wanted it, etc. But if profits are down (Even if it is for a good cause) there is no room to say 'oh well, we are doing the right thing'. Capital becomes the primary driver, because they have to hold all their expenses together.
Small business tries to help, but many entrepeneurs are struggling just to make enough to live, and have little to give in the way of help to the people. I think all large companies should be obligated to contribute back to the society that funds them; and not just cheap gimmicks or prideful fundraisers, aimed at MORE business. It's a circle

[Rcmathis]

Feeding the homeless videos (GONE SEXUAL) will make profit and feed your ego

[kinsmed]

I understand sometimes we need to focus the spotlight on under-served causes.
But I'm glad TED Talks is finally getting back to its basics.

[NightRider]

Isn't her mother, author Choi Sook Nyul? I loved her books so much in elementary. I read them again as an adult and they have a new meaning. Thank you so much, Choi Sook Nyul-nim. :)

[emielle____]

that was a good talk, and her mother's story is very inspirational, love

[MrMikeyBatz]

Any smart investing will lead to good return. Sounds like a case of correlation is not causation.

[theskv]

Invest in worker owned cooperatives. Wish she had mentioned that.

[SS-uile]

One of the best talks on TED. This video makes it easy to see how we do not need to reinvent capitalism to make the world safer for our children. The first step is to change our perception!

[EebstertheGreat]

The claim that "one third of capital belongs to individuals" is so vague as to be almost meaningless, but even if it is true, most of those individuals own only a small piece of that capital, with a few very wealthy individuals owning the rest.

[aukevanleersum]

At 5:54 it shows 71% but the graphic itself is incorrect. This is more likely showing 78%. If you want to be smart while presenting on TED, make sure your graphics are correct. Just saying.

[ashleydias]

Would love to see Matthew Kelly give a ted talk!

[snetsjs]

There is a fatal flaw in this argument: we don't own the capital markets; that
ship has sailed. The capital markets are owned very a tiny, tiny, fraction of the
world's population so essentially the capital markets own themselves; and
the goal of the markets is, only, make more money, for the owners.

[scatton]

I have heard this story over and over again

[hayleylongster]

Except Burt's Bees now tests on

I'd hardly call that retaining its 'ethical

[LeonidasGGG]

The title should be: "How to make a diference and still make a profit".