Minneapolis was abuzz with nearly 2,000 “change-makers” looking to solve some of the world’s biggest problems at the 2014 Net Impact Conference. Net Impact is a leading nonprofit that empowers a new generation to use their careers to drive transformational social and environmental change and Best Buy proudly boasts the second corporate chapter in existence, putting us right in the middle of the conversation.
The three days were full of meaningful dialog with peers, thought-provoking presentations from experts in all facets of sustainability and ideation sessions with the best and brightest business students.
The energy and positivity when this group of students and professionals converges is unmatched. Best Buy attendees, representing teams from across the company – from marketing to finance, were immersed in relevant interest tracks such as community development, energy and clean technology, social enterprise and corporate impact. The key takeaway was you don’t have to work in corporate responsibility to make a social and environmental impact at work.
The challenge now is: How do we take this experience back to our company, build on the momentum and engage our employees?
Because as one panelist so eloquently said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” On the heels of the conference, the Net Impact chapter at Best Buy will drive change in three ways:
- Engage employees in discussions around the largest global issues
- Maximize connections made at the conference to share best practices and increase our impact
- Give employees a forum to innovate around real problems within our business
It may sound cliché, but the Best Buy Net Impact-ers want to change the world. And we will.