The Purpose Dictionary: An Introduction to the Language of Impact

Want to work in impact but struggling to navigate the maze of terms? Whether it’s sustainability, equity, or anything in between, understanding these concepts is essential. But these words can be barriers rather than gateways to understanding. ‘The Purpose Dictionary’ is designed to break down these barriers.

‘The Purpose Dictionary’ is a comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide to all the terms. Created to be both authoritative and accessible, this guide offers clear definitions and insights into terms like ‘sustainability,’ ‘equity,’ and more. Whether you’re deeply involved in this field or just beginning your journey, this dictionary provides the information and context you need.

So, let’s dive in:

Community Engagement: Active participation in community activities and initiatives, contributing positively to the well-being of the local community. It’s also the process of working collaboratively with community members to address issues that impact them. It can involve partnerships with local organizations, participation in local events, or initiatives to support local economies.

Corporate Philanthropy: The act of a corporation donating resources, such as money, products, services or time, to support charitable causes.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): A self-regulating business model where companies aim to contribute positively to society, the environment, and the economy. CSR involves initiatives that benefit society, while also promoting the brand’s values and objectives.

Diversity and Inclusion: Encouraging diverse viewpoints and backgrounds within the organization, fostering a sense of belonging and equal opportunities for all employees.

Employee Engagement: The level of commitment and enthusiasm employees show toward their workplace and its values. Higher engagement levels can result in increased productivity and worker satisfaction.

Equity: People are provided the resources treatment, access, and opportunity they need to advance. All while identifying and eliminating barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups.

ESG Investment: Investments made with the intention to generate a measurable, beneficial social or environmental impact alongside a financial return.

ESG Reporting: The practice of disclosing a company’s impact on the environment, its social community, and its corporate governance practices.

ESG Risk Management: The process of identifying, assessing and managing potential ESG risks that could affect a company’s financial and operational performance.

ESG Strategy: An approach to business that takes into account environmental, social, and governance factors in decision-making processes, aiming for sustainability and ethical impact.

Ethical Partnerships: Business partnerships that are based on a commitment to ethical standards and practices, promoting shared values of integrity, respect, and transparency.

Fair Trade: A social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries achieve better trading conditions. Fair trade emphasizes dialogue, transparency, respect, and sustainable practices.

Green Buildings: Buildings designed to reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment, and improve the health and comfort of building occupants.

Healthy Buildings: A concept that places the health and wellness of building occupants at the forefront of design and operation considerations. Healthy buildings focus on factors such as indoor air quality, thermal comfort, natural light, noise levels, and biophilic design.

Materiality: This term refers to the process of identifying and assessing the key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues that significantly impact a company’s value creation.

Supply Chain Sustainability: Implementing sustainable practices across the supply chain, which could include environmentally friendly sourcing, fair labor practices, and transparent procurement processes.

Surveys: Research methods used to collect data from a predetermined group. Surveys can be used to gauge employee satisfaction, customer opinions, or the impact of specific company initiatives.

Workplace Wellbeing: The physical and mental state of employees in a work environment, promoting a supportive culture, stress management, and work-life balance.