First Coined In 2020 · Megatrend

Purposeful Profit

As consumers and employees demand more sustainable and ethical practices from businesses, companies respond by adapting products, taking stands on issues, and putting purpose first.

One of the ten megatrends from Non-Obvious Megatrends, the #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling finale of the trend series, distilled from a decade of research.

Non-Obvious Megatrends, where the Purposeful Profit megatrend was first coined

First published in Non-Obvious Megatrends (2020) →

The Evolution · 6 past trends led to this megatrend

How Purposeful Profit Evolved

2013 Heroic Design

Design takes a leading role in the introduction of new products, ideas, and campaigns to change the world.

2015 Branded Benevolence

Companies increasingly put brand purpose at the center of their organizations to show a deeper commitment to doing good as a part of business.

2017 Moonshot Entrepreneurship

Our tendency to celebrate visionary entrepreneurs inspires a new generation of startup founders to think beyond profit and consider how their businesses can make a positive social impact and even save the world.

2018 Brand Stand

Reacting to a polarized media atmosphere, more brands feel compelled to take a stand and highlight their core values rather than try to be all things to all people.

2018 Enlightened Consumption

Empowered with more information about products and services, people are choosing to make a statement about their values and the world today through what they buy, where they work, and how they invest.

2019 Good Speed

The urgency of the problems facing humanity is inspiring corporations, entrepreneurs, and individuals to find ways of doing good (and generating results) faster.

→ Became The 2020 Megatrend Purposeful Profit

As consumers and employees demand more sustainable and ethical practices from businesses, companies respond by adapting products, taking stands on issues, and putting purpose first.

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One of the 10 megatrends.

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