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Businesses like to devote part of their marketing and public relations budget to promote how they are giving back to society . We are not just about profits, they try to say. And the message is arguably true, not just propaganda, as far as it goes. Fink, from BlackRock.com But we are starting to hear a different kind of message from business people, and it goes like this: "Around the world, frustration with years of stagnant wages, the effect of technology on jobs, and uncertainty about the future have fueled popular anger , nationalism , and xenophobia . In response, some of the world�s leading democracies have descended into wrenching political dysfunction, which has exacerbated, rather than quelled, this public frustration. Trust in multilateralism and official institutions is crumbling. " -- Larry Fink, (emphasis mine) Business people will have to fill the gap left by polarized and paralyzed national governments: this is the message of Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock ...

Vucinic, photo by Ted.com Many media investors see disaster everywhere they look, as traditional media lose audience, revenues, and relevance. Sasa Vucinic, co-founder and co-managing director of North Base Media , sees great investment opportunities, especially in developing markets, such as Central Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. "We invest in serious digital-only media oriented toward the younger audience that can disrupt their markets. And we think it�s a phenomenal business that will bring great financial returns." Vucinic, who began his journalism career in Serbia, has been a crusader for media organizations that tell the truth about corrupt, oppressive regimes. I reached him via Skype in South Korea, where he was looking at investment opportunities. I wanted to ask him about social purpose investing , where investors direct their money toward organizations that not only give a financial return but also have a positive impact on society. Versi�n en ...