Unilever CEO Polman Says Capitalism Must Learn Social Values

Unilever CEO Paul Polman said capitalism must evolve when he spoke at an advertising conference hosted by the Indian Society of Advertisers. During his speech, Polman discussed three global trends that corporations need to consider and deal with while operating their business. Corporations have to be aware of the “emergence of a new Asian hemisphere.” As the United States increasingly focuses its attention more on its domestic affairs, it becomes apparent that countries, such as India and China, are not yet ready to become the new America. Businesses also have to deal with the connected consumer, empowered by the Internet and mobile technologies enough to topple dictators and irresponsible companies. Finally, according to Polman, global politics and businesses cannot ignore the “end of the era of abundance.” Corporations cannot afford extreme consumerism and the effects of global warming, Polman added.