Show cover of The Make Good Project with Sandra D'Souza

The Make Good Project with Sandra D'Souza

Join Sandra D'Souza and her guests as they explore the people/trends that are shaping the purpose driven landscape. Running a profitable business and doing good does not have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, the more money you make, the more good you can do in your local communities and beyond. Each week, we will chat with influencers and leaders in this space that are making a difference in their communities and the world, where business is a force for good and where profit meets purpose.

Tracks

We talk about purpose driven organizations all the time on this podcast, but how can a regular organization transition into a more purpose driven one? And how do you know when you have become a purpose driven organization? In this episode, I’ll be addressing this matter of purpose, becoming more purposeful and even how it relates to employee engagement and your effectiveness as a business. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3xUHNKl 

6/28/22 • 10:31

Does your business or organization have what it takes to keep employees around long-term? This is a really important topic to discuss, especially in today’s job market where more and more people are resigning and changing jobs for something that feels “right”. In this episode, I’ll share some key points that will affect your staying power and what you can do to keep (the best) employees working for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3mGBV20

6/14/22 • 09:15

I read a few things recently that raised some interesting questions regarding corporate activism. Increasing numbers of people seem to be showing that they expect CEOs to help shape policy discussions and speak out about controversial issues, so today, I’ll share how things are changing in business and activism. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3LG80kH

5/24/22 • 06:01

For those feeling burnt out, unfulfilled, and lacking in purpose, a move into the non-profit sector often seems like a positive shift. I have talked with a few senior people in my network lately who have been considering new opportunities in this sector, and in this episode, I’ll be sharing about that. Regardless of your motivations for wanting to transition from corporate to non-profit, there are some important things to know and keep in mind before making the leap. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3L7rmzI

4/26/22 • 08:15

How do we create workplaces that people want to be part of? LinkedIn Talent Solutions recently published a report on the Reinvention of Company Culture as part of their 2022 Global Talent Trends series, and in this episode, I’ll go over the three main things impacting company culture. I also cover how we can use this information to create more successful and impactful companies. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3jh4zVG

4/12/22 • 10:13

Fraud and misrepresentation are unfortunately common problems in the social purpose space. As we wrap up Fraud Awareness month in Canada, I think it’s important to touch on how to better ensure that companies are actually doing the social or environmental things they claim to do. The popularity of social purpose in business has brought a lot of great changes—and it has also turned into a marketing ploy, so it’s important that we know how to tell who is legit. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3NiOz3i

3/29/22 • 08:24

This year, as of January 31st, it was reported that $34 million has already been lost to fraud—just here in Canada! Given this staggering statistic (and that it also happens to be Fraud Prevention Month), I want to share some ways that small businesses can set themselves up to minimize the risk of fraud in their organizations. Anyone can be affected by fraud, so listen in to hear what you need to be aware of on both a personal and professional level. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3I9zq0h

3/15/22 • 08:05

As we witness the trucker convoy happening, the strong views on all sides, and the issues arising over monetary or vocal support, it’s evident that things like this have an effect on reputation. So, in this episode, I’ll discuss how a business or social enterprise can avoid or minimize reputational risk. From assessing the situation to putting in place procedures, I’ll share some tips on how to not get caught up in something that could negatively affect your business. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3JWkwfj

3/1/22 • 06:57

I started a discussion about The Great Resignation back in June, and today I'll be continuing that conversation with some new updates. If you missed the first one, be sure to go back and check out episode 19 to get the big picture of this issue. This time, I’ll share some more current data with you and the changes that have been affecting both the workers who left and the workers who stayed. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3uOoHpa

2/15/22 • 14:52

Is purpose-driven capitalism worth it? Will pursuing a purpose for your business beyond profit make a difference? I recently read two interesting articles that argued the opposite sides of these questions, and I wanted to bring that discussion to you today. It’s truly an interesting dilemma when purpose seems to be able to make or break a business. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3reJujq

2/1/22 • 08:43

I don’t usually talk much about my day job on this podcast, but given the time of year and some of the discussions I have been having over the last few weeks, I thought it would be worthwhile to do a quick episode on how to work with me—or with recruiters in general—from both the employer/client perspective and from the employee/candidate perspective. If you’re interested to hear how a recruiter could help you find the best options out there, then this episode is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/33AIVqI

1/18/22 • 15:26

A pandemic project took me out of my comfort zone and helped me chase some important goals. That project just so happened to be this podcast! So, in this first episode of the new year, I'm going to review 2021 and the incredible lessons I learned alongside the inspiring and uplifting guests who joined me on the show. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3EQLZfx

1/4/22 • 09:41

At the end of the year, I usually sit down and start working ahead at creating a new plan for the coming year. Many of us can benefit from a little more discipline, especially after the unpredictability we've seen due to the pandemic. So, in this episode, I’ll be sharing what an annual plan consists of, how to build your own annual plan, and tips for troubleshooting and moving forward with your plan effectively. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3p08LNc

12/21/21 • 12:27

How you handle change, uncertainty, and ambiguity has a big effect on your personal life and your business. So, in this episode, I'm breaking down the concept of the Adaptability Quotient (AQ) and how it can help us in all areas of life. Knowing how to determine your AQ—or someone else’s—and being able to develop and grow your AQ is extremely important in today’s world, so make sure to tune in. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3DvWR1O

12/8/21 • 08:35

This is an exciting week because the first ever Propelling Purpose Summit was held in Canada. This summit comes from The Social Purpose Institute and aims to focus in on learning about, growing, and building the social purpose movement in Canadian businesses. I will be sharing some exciting information and details on this new opportunity and my thoughts on where it’s headed. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/32efhXI

11/23/21 • 12:23

November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada! On this podcast, I usually like to highlight business owners who believe business is a force for good and promote the message of profits and purpose, but today's episode is all about profits. The financial side of business is key to success, so I'm going to give you insight into how you can build and share financial literacy within your business and community. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/31HWlAx

11/9/21 • 09:37

October is small business month in Canada, so it’s a great time to recognize the contributions that the Canadian small business sector makes to the overall economy, as well as the local impact they make on their communities. In this episode, I’ll be taking you on a quick dive into the world of small business and how it has been such a pivotal part of Canada’s economy and culture. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3Ghurek

10/26/21 • 10:57

Today, you’ll get to hear from the awesome mother-daughter duo Kim Hickman and Katie Thompson, who are the masterminds behind DIOSA Designs Inc. They share their passion for supporting women and how they do just that with thoughtfully designed, multi-functioning backpacks specifically designed to serve women. They also share many of the lessons and insights they have gained through building the business and finding ways to make an impact on a global scale. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3iBU7IE

10/12/21 • 21:47

As an executive recruiter, I’ve been having a lot of conversations with parents who are worried about their kids and what the job market will look like for them. So, in this episode, I'm going to share my thoughts on the prospects for careers and the job market for Gen Z, including the paths I’ve seen people taking to succeed, the common themes amongst successful students, and the opportunities that I see opening up. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3nql5pP

9/14/21 • 06:50

Abygail and Ashleigh Montague are two of the three sisters who founded Blk Owned HAMONT, an open resource to find and support black-owned businesses in the Greater Hamilton, Ontario area. Their mission is to celebrate, showcase, explore, and support black-owned businesses by creating a sustainable and thriving black-owned economy. In this episode, we’re diving into what prompted the launch of Blk Owned HAMONT and how it has grown to go above and beyond just promoting black-owned businesses. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2WI7XRK 

8/31/21 • 19:56

Social procurement is something I’ve touched on before, but in this episode, I’ll be going into more detail about how it is done in various industries. You’ll get a glimpse of what social procurement looks like when it comes to different areas of business and get insight into how it can have a huge impact not only on your business, but also on the world. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3iPLHhn

8/17/21 • 10:32

Today, I am joined by the founders of SideBiz Studio, an online marketplace that showcases products and services offered by the Canadian Arts community. Kelsey Verzotti and Jacob Sheffield started SideBiz just over a year ago, and in this episode, they share how they are encouraging it to evolve as a marketplace and a business. Listen in as Kelsey and Jacob give some great insight into how they have navigated the hurdles of growing a new business during a pandemic. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2VjMfmj

8/3/21 • 18:05

There's a world of opportunity to rethink and redesign the way we make things. Unlike the current wasteful industrial model, a circular economy aims to redefine growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits. Basically, the idea is to eliminate waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the design stage. So, in this episode, I want to share with you some of my recent findings on the topic. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3hW2Hli  

7/27/21 • 10:56

Our guest today is Renee Devereaux, who serves as Executive Director at EDGE, the impact entrepreneurship hub at Sheridan College. EDGE, in collaboration with partners, provides new and growing ventures with mentorship, learning programs and support to access funding. In this episode, Renee discusses why she sees entrepreneurship as a powerful tool for shaping a more sustainable and prosperous society—and her advice for becoming a more impactful leader. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3ADvpPn 

7/13/21 • 33:13

While this podcast is typically focused on purpose driven, for-profit businesses, I am currently working on a project geared toward non-profit organizations, and the concept of purpose is relevant there, as well. I came across an article entitled “The Four Principles of Purpose Driven Board Leadership,” and one of the main questions asked is whether non-profit boards (as they exist today) are equipped to govern the social good organizations for which they are responsible. So in this episode, I will be going over the research I found in relation to this question so we can draw up a conclusion of our own. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3dDXGvh  

7/6/21 • 10:22

We often discuss finding purpose within your business, but what about the desire to find purpose in your personal life too? After the year we have had, a lot of people are re-evaluating what is important to them—where they want to reside, the kind of work they pursue, and the people they surround themselves with. So in this episode, I'll be discussing two articles I recently read that verbalize my own feelings about what I think will change in the coming years. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3vEtiqS  

6/22/21 • 08:58

As the world begins to come out of lockdown and things start opening up, it’s worthwhile to take a moment and think of all the local small or medium businesses that have struggled throughout these tough times. Now that we can actually go places again, at least in limited numbers, we need to make an effort to actively support these local businesses. So in this episode, I will be sharing how I have supported local businesses throughout this pandemic and how you can implement this into your daily life too. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3zjnwxN 

6/15/21 • 08:30

Big lofty goals to change the world are admirable, but if you aren’t creating a healthy workplace for your employees, does it even matter? Today we will be discussing how organizations can define purpose by creating a healthy workplace. To share her expertise in this area is Liza Provenzano, founder and principal consultant of SparkHR. In this episode, she will be describing steps your company can take now to make the biggest difference. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3urHm6k 

6/1/21 • 29:13

As I have mentioned before, I work as an executive recruiter. If there is one thing that is true for every position where you are working with people, it is that you can’t prepare for everything. However, with the right strategies in place you are more likely to attract the right candidates. So, in this episode, I want to share some insights for hiring and interviewing candidates as well as how to clearly define your expectations. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3brdekT 

5/18/21 • 09:32

Today we will be taking a different approach to this podcast. Tracey Bissett, President and Founder of Bissett Financial Fitness, the host of the Young Money podcast and my friend, is going to be interviewing me to get a better sense of who I am and how this podcast came to be. In this episode, you will hear me discuss everything from my favorite childhood memories to my most memorable academic accomplishment growing up. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3b4mr2C 

5/11/21 • 14:32