On the 22nd of September 2016, Conscious Capitalism Australia (CCA) partnered with Mezzanine and launched CCA in the Hunter region. Local businesses were invited to join in on the night through a common purpose, to see their business take part in the greater good of this world.
Conscious Capitalism is a not-for-profit organisation that originally took form in the US, with CCA finding its beginning in 2011 with a few volunteers who organised the annual summit in Sydney. It was worth the push to bring the movement to Australia because CCA is about the ‘business world’ catching up to where the rest of society is going, with the meaning of success being redefined and becoming more about the influence you have as a business to touch the lives of the people around you.
The brand and memberships were established within the time between then and now, leading onto the decision to knuckle down and cast vision over the future of CCA and what role it would play in the everyday lives of these values-led businesses.
Within the co-working space INNX on the West end of Newcastle, the night began with a delicious spread of food, accompanied with a glass of champagne or a bottle of some local Imbibe Living Water Kefir – the founder being one of the panellists.
Other local names on the Q&A panel were CCA’s Executive Director Siobhan Doran (who Skyped in), Mezzanine’s Directors Luke Burrell and Nikki Wright, New River Leadership’s Naomi Nash, Common Cause Australia’s Eleanor Glenn, UQ Power’s Heidi Pollard, Imbibe’s Felicity Evans and OzHarvest Newcastle’s Neil Slater. Personal business journeys were shared with a side of insight into what it means to be a conscious business, the microphone was passed around to guests who wanted to unpack Conscious Capitalism’s four principles further (Conscious Leadership, Stakeholder Orientation, Conscious Culture and Higher Purpose). The new membership program was also introduced, with guests and panellists alike left to mingle for the rest of the night.
CCA Hunter’s next get together is on Friday 30th September at 8am, meeting at The Edwards on Parry Street in Newcastle West. The purpose is to discuss ideas and plan collectively for CCA’s next chapter. If you’re a leader who wants to see your business make a stand for good, join us.
