“Accountable is striking in its clarity and insights born from the authors’ experience as investors on the front lines of capitalism’s excesses and potential. The case studies of some of the best-known companies and investors don’t pull punches while offering tangible examples of the changes in culture and rules of the game required for a new type of capitalism.”
—Daniella Ballou-Aares, CEO and cofounder of the Leadership Now Project
“If we don’t contend with climate change, inequality, and the generational challenges tearing at our democracy, we will destroy our economy. Accountable offers a different vision. Unwilling to settle for easy answers or superficial changes, O’Leary and Valdmanis push us all to ask more of our economic system.”
—Senator Michael F. Bennet
“If we want to save free-market enterprise economics and all the benefits it brings, we have to reform capitalism and the way corporations behave. This was a big part of the modern compassionate Conservative agenda I championed—and what this book is all about. The authors do a great job in explaining that this is not a wealth-bashing, negative agenda but a positive and exciting one. Businesses linking better with their communities. Impact investing to solve social problems. Companies stepping up and recognizing their wider responsibilities beyond simply maximizing profits. Business doing good is good business—and this book puts that beyond doubt.”
—David Cameron, former prime minister of the United Kingdom
“Solving our biggest social and environmental problems means reshaping the role that businesses play in our society. This informative book addresses the challenges we face in achieving this crucial transformation.”
—Sir Ronald Cohen, chair of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG)
“In today’s reality, business represents a picture of dysfunctionality, of excesses benefitting the few, of gross injustice. Tomorrow’s business leaders have an obligation to create a different reality reflecting our better hopes and inspirations. Accountable takes you on that journey. It’s a wonderful trip.”
—Peter Georgescu, chairman emeritus of Young & Rubicam
“For decades, the dominant view has been that the purpose of companies is to make money for their shareholders. No more. Combining compelling examples and analytical insights, O’Leary and Valdmanis explain why the world is changing, and provide a road map for how shareholders and citizens can and must transform the corporate landscape to save capitalism from itself.”
—Oliver Hart, Harvard University, 2016 Nobel laureate in economics
“Accountable reminds us that today’s short-termism is as dangerous for corporations as it is for the world and uses a combination of great stories and thoughtful analysis to suggest that we must find a way to change the purpose of our corporations if we are to build a society that works for all of us. I enjoyed it enormously.”
—Rebecca M. Henderson, John and Natty McArthur University Professor at Harvard University
“Accountable takes a fresh look at a fundamental question of capitalism—whose interests should corporations serve. Its call for collective action by consumers, workers, and investors to reorient corporate behavior may foretell the next decade.”
—Jonathan Levin, dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business
“Even most capitalists know that capitalism, as practiced in the United States in recent decades, has a lot to answer for. O’Leary and Valdmanis have given us thoughtful, well-researched, and compelling ways to rethink how to assure that prosperity and fairness are linked.”
—Deval Patrick, former governor of Massachusetts
“Accountable presents a fresh, balanced, highly readable, and deeply informed case for how the pursuit of sustained financial success and the exercise of social responsibility to employees, consumers, and society not only can—but must—go hand in hand if we are to have the world we seek in the future. Especially at a time when people’s trust in all institutions, including business, are at long-term lows, we must renew the purpose of business itself to recognize that it has a responsibility—and opportunity—to use its resources—money, people, and energy—for the long-term benefit of society as well as the company. As Accountable shows us, this will build increased loyalty and retention of employees and customers, keys to sustainable financial progress.”
—John Pepper, former chairman and CEO of P&G
“The issues posed could not be more topical or provocative. The coronavirus pandemic has catapulted capitalism into the future, where we need new and better answers to the crucial questions: ‘What matters most in our society? How should we organize work to support those priorities? What’s a fair way to pay people for their contributions?’ Accountable offers a fresh and compelling perspective on these questions.”
—David Roux, founder of Silver Lake
“Thought-provoking and insightful, Accountable offers a pragmatic and original road map to transform capitalism into a system that’s more inclusive, sustainable, and just. More than ever before, this is the book our economy needs.”
—Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, president of the Rockefeller Foundation
“For many years, the authors have been at the forefront of thinking on how markets and business can better serve society. Accountable captures not only the history that underpins modern-day corporate purpose, but its present and future. The central message—that capitalism can and must be part of the solution to society’s greatest challenges—has never been more important.”
—Martin Whittaker, CEO of JUST Capital