Masami Sato
Founder & CEO, B1G1
📍Singapore
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Idealist (and optimist).
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Because what we do to (and for) our word everyday will definitely come back to us and for the future of our next generations. The speed of the direct return of our deeds is getting faster as well. We now have no excuse not to work together for a better future.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
Everything we do here at B1G1 is actually an act of social contribution. We also link many of our business activities to global high-impact project activities, giving 1% of our revenue to charity organizations and social impact activities as well. But the true purpose of our work is to help many businesses in the world to take actions regardless of the type, size and stage of their businesses. If every business took small actions but did them together, we can make enormous impact collectively.
Two videos below conveys the vision, mission and methodology our work and journey.
What’s the best piece of advice you've ever received?
My mentor, Paul Polman said to me: "always ask for an action, keep it simple but clear."
Here is our recent conversation.
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
We actually found women get things done differently (different brain-wiring?) and their contributions are also crucial in creating sustainable, long-term success of companies. It's important that we create changes in our companies in inclusive ways so every person gets respected and inspired to take part in uplifting our collective vision and actions (rather than judging and blaming one another).
When businesses truly understand the value of female leadership and its contribution to the sustainability of their business (financially as well) and the world around us, there is no excuse for them to not provide the same or greater level of support and investment into female workers' development and advancement as leaders.
Change of mindset also can start from early age education where we teach and show children the importance of inclusive community and how we can all play a part in helping one another and making a difference for collective good. Providing access to inclusive childcare for working women is also important. In order for the workplaces to be truly inclusive (and not just saying it), families need to also understand the importance of education for girls and giving every child and every person (with other disadvantages) a choice for them to contribute to the society in their own unique ways.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Start small and simple, and keep going on your path with utmost authenticity and care. It's better to do what we can do today than wait for big moments in the future.
When you are doing what you truly believe in and taking conscious actions every day, you will make progress and impact, more than you can imagine.
"Start small and simple, and keep going on your path with utmost authenticity and care."
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Growing the impact and collaborating with many more like-minded change-makers.
