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Dharmic Capital – a Practitioner’s Perspective | Sampath (Sam) Iyengar | TEDxIIMBangalore


namaste we’ve all been following the

namaste we’ve all been following the discourse of how capitalism needs to

discourse of how capitalism needs to

discourse of how capitalism needs to change improve evolve we’ve gone from

change improve evolve we’ve gone from

change improve evolve we’ve gone from single bottom line profits to the triple

single bottom line profits to the triple

single bottom line profits to the triple bottom line of profits planet and people

bottom line of profits planet and people

bottom line of profits planet and people this triple bottom line has also now

this triple bottom line has also now

this triple bottom line has also now evolved into the quadruple bottom line

evolved into the quadruple bottom line

evolved into the quadruple bottom line of profits planet people and purpose

of profits planet people and purpose

of profits planet people and purpose we’re also seeing the convergence of

we’re also seeing the convergence of

we’re also seeing the convergence of ideas such as mindful capitalism

ideas such as mindful capitalism

ideas such as mindful capitalism thoughtful capitalism conscious

thoughtful capitalism conscious

thoughtful capitalism conscious capitalism social enterprises and so on

capitalism social enterprises and so on

capitalism social enterprises and so on in the world of capital where I spend a

in the world of capital where I spend a

in the world of capital where I spend a lot of my time these days we’ve seen an

lot of my time these days we’ve seen an

lot of my time these days we’ve seen an evolution of sustainable capitalism

evolution of sustainable capitalism

evolution of sustainable capitalism sustainability responsible investing

sustainability responsible investing

sustainability responsible investing socially responsible investing the

socially responsible investing the

socially responsible investing the United Nations in fact has put together

United Nations in fact has put together

United Nations in fact has put together something they call the principles of

something they call the principles of

something they call the principles of responsible investing which is a pretty

responsible investing which is a pretty

responsible investing which is a pretty deep broad framework with a rating

deep broad framework with a rating

deep broad framework with a rating system fairly detailed which guides how

system fairly detailed which guides how

system fairly detailed which guides how allocators of capital allocate money the

allocators of capital allocate money the

allocators of capital allocate money the funds what’s behind all this what’s

funds what’s behind all this what’s

funds what’s behind all this what’s driving all this the cycle of excessive

driving all this the cycle of excessive

driving all this the cycle of excessive consumption that we have seen over the

consumption that we have seen over the

consumption that we have seen over the last two decades has got to the point if

last two decades has got to the point if

last two decades has got to the point if the 7.5 billion people in the world

the 7.5 billion people in the world

the 7.5 billion people in the world consume average American it will take

consume average American it will take

consume average American it will take approximately 5.3 Earth’s to fulfill

approximately 5.3 Earth’s to fulfill

approximately 5.3 Earth’s to fulfill that just think about that more recently

that just think about that more recently

that just think about that more recently we have all experienced the ill effects

we have all experienced the ill effects

we have all experienced the ill effects of the global financial crisis that

of the global financial crisis that

of the global financial crisis that happened in 2007 2008 we all observe the

happened in 2007 2008 we all observe the

happened in 2007 2008 we all observe the underbelly the ugliness of what can

underbelly the ugliness of what can

underbelly the ugliness of what can happen with capitalism when it goes off

happen with capitalism when it goes off

happen with capitalism when it goes off the rails we’ve also seen in in our own

the rails we’ve also seen in in our own

the rails we’ve also seen in in our own environments personal environments how

environments personal environments how

environments personal environments how individuals have reacted with angst to

individuals have reacted with angst to

individuals have reacted with angst to what’s happening in the workplace

what’s happening in the workplace

what’s happening in the workplace today there’s a tremendous amount of

today there’s a tremendous amount of

today there’s a tremendous amount of stress his impact a well being not to

stress his impact a well being not to

stress his impact a well being not to mention the immense number of scandals

mention the immense number of scandals

mention the immense number of scandals coming out of the corporate world with

coming out of the corporate world with

coming out of the corporate world with executive pay you have some companies

executive pay you have some companies

executive pay you have some companies where CEOs are paid hundred x hundred

where CEOs are paid hundred x hundred

where CEOs are paid hundred x hundred times the lowest wage in their companies

times the lowest wage in their companies

times the lowest wage in their companies we’re seeing scandal after scandal in

we’re seeing scandal after scandal in

we’re seeing scandal after scandal in terms of lobbies that are ensuring that

terms of lobbies that are ensuring that

terms of lobbies that are ensuring that markets are distorted missing sexual

markets are distorted missing sexual

markets are distorted missing sexual harassment we’re seeing child labor

harassment we’re seeing child labor

harassment we’re seeing child labor missing exploitation of labour in very

missing exploitation of labour in very

missing exploitation of labour in very poor countries the point here is that

poor countries the point here is that

poor countries the point here is that evolution of capital is started to

evolution of capital is started to

evolution of capital is started to absorb these changes that are happening

absorb these changes that are happening

absorb these changes that are happening the other big push force is activism

the other big push force is activism

the other big push force is activism shoulders many of them individual retail

shoulders many of them individual retail

shoulders many of them individual retail shareholders environmental activists as

shareholders environmental activists as

shareholders environmental activists as well as active boards are starting to

well as active boards are starting to

well as active boards are starting to push back as well I’ve called a dharmic

push back as well I’ve called a dharmic

push back as well I’ve called a dharmic capitalism to me Darmok capitalism

capitalism to me Darmok capitalism

capitalism to me Darmok capitalism represents an end state perhaps a state

represents an end state perhaps a state

represents an end state perhaps a state of equilibrium of where capitalism can

of equilibrium of where capitalism can

of equilibrium of where capitalism can get to and will be sustainable Dharma to

get to and will be sustainable Dharma to

get to and will be sustainable Dharma to me which is where I derived the notion

me which is where I derived the notion

me which is where I derived the notion of Dharma capitalism Dharma means the

of Dharma capitalism Dharma means the

of Dharma capitalism Dharma means the purest form or the essence of something

purest form or the essence of something

purest form or the essence of something so dharmic capitalism represents the

so dharmic capitalism represents the

so dharmic capitalism represents the purest form of all the possibilities of

purest form of all the possibilities of

purest form of all the possibilities of capitalism that’s where we want to see

capitalism that’s where we want to see

capitalism that’s where we want to see this ultimately evolve to I’d like to

this ultimately evolve to I’d like to

this ultimately evolve to I’d like to share with you some of my experiences

share with you some of my experiences

share with you some of my experiences first as an entrepreneur and the 90s

first as an entrepreneur and the 90s

first as an entrepreneur and the 90s later as a corporate CEO in the mid

later as a corporate CEO in the mid

later as a corporate CEO in the mid 2000s and then as a partner in a global

2000s and then as a partner in a global

2000s and then as a partner in a global hedge fund in the late 2000s and finally

hedge fund in the late 2000s and finally

hedge fund in the late 2000s and finally today in my current avatar as a partner

today in my current avatar as a partner

today in my current avatar as a partner in a private equity firm back in the 90s

in a private equity firm back in the 90s

in a private equity firm back in the 90s it was the go-go days of growth I mean

it was the go-go days of growth I mean

it was the go-go days of growth I mean it was just about it was extremely

it was just about it was extremely

it was just about it was extremely exciting

exciting

exciting you saw the dot-com boom happening

you saw the dot-com boom happening

you saw the dot-com boom happening enterprises were in rapid pursuit of

enterprises were in rapid pursuit of

enterprises were in rapid pursuit of growth and profit

growth and profit

growth and profit and I was living in New York at that

and I was living in New York at that

and I was living in New York at that point I had co-founded and I was a CEO

point I had co-founded and I was a CEO

point I had co-founded and I was a CEO of a technology integration company we

of a technology integration company we

of a technology integration company we did a bunch of management consulting at

did a bunch of management consulting at

did a bunch of management consulting at the higher end working with Fortune

the higher end working with Fortune

the higher end working with Fortune thousand companies and we also then did

thousand companies and we also then did

thousand companies and we also then did some downstream work in terms of

some downstream work in terms of

some downstream work in terms of technology integration for enterprises

technology integration for enterprises

technology integration for enterprises but something started annoying me

but something started annoying me

but something started annoying me you know we realized that there was this

you know we realized that there was this

you know we realized that there was this she is happening and a lot of it was

she is happening and a lot of it was

she is happening and a lot of it was about fast money to speed speed speed we

about fast money to speed speed speed we

about fast money to speed speed speed we started to sense that there was

started to sense that there was

started to sense that there was something missing in terms of some

something missing in terms of some

something missing in terms of some intangible quality also at that time as

intangible quality also at that time as

intangible quality also at that time as a CEO I was pondering about you know I

a CEO I was pondering about you know I

a CEO I was pondering about you know I had these I should call it a

had these I should call it a

had these I should call it a transnational company we were too small

transnational company we were too small

transnational company we were too small to be called a multinational company in

to be called a multinational company in

to be called a multinational company in a very simple way I started to think

a very simple way I started to think

a very simple way I started to think about you know I grew up listening to a

about you know I grew up listening to a

about you know I grew up listening to a lot of jazz Shakti John McLoughlin

lot of jazz Shakti John McLoughlin

lot of jazz Shakti John McLoughlin meeting L Shankar and so on and I said

meeting L Shankar and so on and I said

meeting L Shankar and so on and I said hey how about east meets west and why

hey how about east meets west and why

hey how about east meets west and why don’t we think about profits and people

don’t we think about profits and people

don’t we think about profits and people and this was before you know the notion

and this was before you know the notion

and this was before you know the notion of the triple bottom line I’d evolved

of the triple bottom line I’d evolved

of the triple bottom line I’d evolved and had got documented in just an

and had got documented in just an

and had got documented in just an intuitive way we said we need to soften

intuitive way we said we need to soften

intuitive way we said we need to soften this a little bit and we came up with

this a little bit and we came up with

this a little bit and we came up with this idea of let’s combine the

this idea of let’s combine the

this idea of let’s combine the professionalism of Western organizations

professionalism of Western organizations

professionalism of Western organizations with the empathy that comes out of India

with the empathy that comes out of India

with the empathy that comes out of India you know almost Corning you would say

you know almost Corning you would say

you know almost Corning you would say but it worked really well because we

but it worked really well because we

but it worked really well because we realized that while people were hustling

realized that while people were hustling

realized that while people were hustling for getting business delivering business

for getting business delivering business

for getting business delivering business working with high-end clients doing

working with high-end clients doing

working with high-end clients doing transformational work there was this

transformational work there was this

transformational work there was this need for them to feel a sense of empathy

need for them to feel a sense of empathy

need for them to feel a sense of empathy at the end of a day’s work and one of

at the end of a day’s work and one of

at the end of a day’s work and one of the things we did in the company was we

the things we did in the company was we

the things we did in the company was we created a structure and we actually had

created a structure and we actually had

created a structure and we actually had people working closely and this is back

people working closely and this is back

people working closely and this is back in the mid 90s by the mid late 90s we’re

in the mid 90s by the mid late 90s we’re

in the mid 90s by the mid late 90s we’re talking about we actually dedicated

talking about we actually dedicated

talking about we actually dedicated resources so that people would have

resources so that people would have

resources so that people would have people to talk to so this is the people

people to talk to so this is the people

people to talk to so this is the people aspect of the quadruple bottom line the

aspect of the quadruple bottom line the

aspect of the quadruple bottom line the other important dimension to this was

other important dimension to this was

other important dimension to this was many of many of our employees out of

many of many of our employees out of

many of many of our employees out of India came from smaller towns and every

India came from smaller towns and every

India came from smaller towns and every single one of them was impacting 30 more

single one of them was impacting 30 more

single one of them was impacting 30 more lives so essentially we were starting to

lives so essentially we were starting to

lives so essentially we were starting to work with their causes in

work with their causes in

work with their causes in in villages and through this process we

in villages and through this process we

in villages and through this process we were able to have a very natural way of

were able to have a very natural way of

were able to have a very natural way of delivering a social impact as well

delivering a social impact as well

delivering a social impact as well through that process so this is back in

through that process so this is back in

through that process so this is back in the 90s cut to the mid 2000s I was

the 90s cut to the mid 2000s I was

the 90s cut to the mid 2000s I was turnaround CEO of a technology company

turnaround CEO of a technology company

turnaround CEO of a technology company again and this was again a very

again and this was again a very

again and this was again a very interesting company we’re doing a bunch

interesting company we’re doing a bunch

interesting company we’re doing a bunch of innovation we were building IP we

of innovation we were building IP we

of innovation we were building IP we were we were investing heavily in domain

were we were investing heavily in domain

were we were investing heavily in domain knowledge we had lots of bankers in the

knowledge we had lots of bankers in the

knowledge we had lots of bankers in the team it was a global company again and

team it was a global company again and

team it was a global company again and here I had I was older I was a little

here I had I was older I was a little

here I had I was older I was a little wiser and I was also thinking about how

wiser and I was also thinking about how

wiser and I was also thinking about how do we institutionalize something like

do we institutionalize something like

do we institutionalize something like this you know what what happened earlier

this you know what what happened earlier

this you know what what happened earlier was intuitive but this is a much larger

was intuitive but this is a much larger

was intuitive but this is a much larger company and we said let’s stand

company and we said let’s stand

company and we said let’s stand institutionalize this and I kind of

institutionalize this and I kind of

institutionalize this and I kind of leaned on my strategic thinking

leaned on my strategic thinking

leaned on my strategic thinking background and I said hey how about a

background and I said hey how about a

background and I said hey how about a strategic framework so we sort of

strategic framework so we sort of

strategic framework so we sort of applied the four-way framework to

applied the four-way framework to

applied the four-way framework to thinking about how could we generate a

thinking about how could we generate a

thinking about how could we generate a more sustainable entity so top-down

more sustainable entity so top-down

more sustainable entity so top-down bottom-up inside-out outside and that’s

bottom-up inside-out outside and that’s

bottom-up inside-out outside and that’s the four ways from a top-down

the four ways from a top-down

the four ways from a top-down perspective you know I had spent some

perspective you know I had spent some

perspective you know I had spent some time studying the Vedanta so I was

time studying the Vedanta so I was

time studying the Vedanta so I was thinking about leadership in the context

thinking about leadership in the context

thinking about leadership in the context of the Vedanta and I came up this notion

of the Vedanta and I came up this notion

of the Vedanta and I came up this notion of yogi leadership so who’s a yogi you

of yogi leadership so who’s a yogi you

of yogi leadership so who’s a yogi you know we all know about the hatha yoga

know we all know about the hatha yoga

know we all know about the hatha yoga and the asanas and so on but essentially

and the asanas and so on but essentially

and the asanas and so on but essentially a yogi is someone who’s connected with

a yogi is someone who’s connected with

a yogi is someone who’s connected with his or her higher sense far more aware

his or her higher sense far more aware

his or her higher sense far more aware of the higher potential that exists

of the higher potential that exists

of the higher potential that exists within each person so as the yogi you

within each person so as the yogi you

within each person so as the yogi you start to think about what’s my higher

start to think about what’s my higher

start to think about what’s my higher potential what’s my higher purpose and

potential what’s my higher purpose and

potential what’s my higher purpose and you start to try and build that

you start to try and build that

you start to try and build that awareness now it’s crucial for us to

awareness now it’s crucial for us to

awareness now it’s crucial for us to think about leadership like this

think about leadership like this

think about leadership like this especially in that context because what

especially in that context because what

especially in that context because what we wanted to do as a culture is we

we wanted to do as a culture is we

we wanted to do as a culture is we wanted to generate the power of

wanted to generate the power of

wanted to generate the power of leadership down the organization we

leadership down the organization we

leadership down the organization we wanted multiple leaders we did not want

wanted multiple leaders we did not want

wanted multiple leaders we did not want a feudal culture in the company where

a feudal culture in the company where

a feudal culture in the company where there was just a bunch of leaders and a

there was just a bunch of leaders and a

there was just a bunch of leaders and a bunch of instruction takers especially

bunch of instruction takers especially

bunch of instruction takers especially in a complex business environment the

in a complex business environment the

in a complex business environment the father and people you push the

father and people you push the

father and people you push the characteristics of leadership where

characteristics of leadership where

characteristics of leadership where people start to examine their own

people start to examine their own

people start to examine their own potential for growth

potential for growth

potential for growth their own sense of what is possible when

their own sense of what is possible when

their own sense of what is possible when they achieve a higher potential voila

they achieve a higher potential voila

they achieve a higher potential voila you actually see leadership start to

you actually see leadership start to

you actually see leadership start to blossom and develop that creates a very

blossom and develop that creates a very

blossom and develop that creates a very different sense of dynamic in terms of

different sense of dynamic in terms of

different sense of dynamic in terms of both competence people are starting to

both competence people are starting to

both competence people are starting to do great things they never thought it

do great things they never thought it

do great things they never thought it was possible because of the fact that

was possible because of the fact that

was possible because of the fact that they were thinking more deeply about

they were thinking more deeply about

they were thinking more deeply about this and we had created an environment

this and we had created an environment

this and we had created an environment to push leadership down so this from a

to push leadership down so this from a

to push leadership down so this from a top-down point of view it’s signaled

top-down point of view it’s signaled

top-down point of view it’s signaled that we were committed to building a

that we were committed to building a

that we were committed to building a wholesome organization where everybody

wholesome organization where everybody

wholesome organization where everybody could participate

could participate

could participate everybody could evolve to their

everybody could evolve to their

everybody could evolve to their potential from a bottom point of view it

potential from a bottom point of view it

potential from a bottom point of view it was a lot about culture I mean the big

was a lot about culture I mean the big

was a lot about culture I mean the big aspect here was purpose so we started to

aspect here was purpose so we started to

aspect here was purpose so we started to build a platform of social engagement

build a platform of social engagement

build a platform of social engagement and we realized that everybody has their

and we realized that everybody has their

and we realized that everybody has their own little passion somebody wants to

own little passion somebody wants to

own little passion somebody wants to help with poor people somebody wants to

help with poor people somebody wants to

help with poor people somebody wants to help with old people somebody wants to

help with old people somebody wants to

help with old people somebody wants to help with education some want to focus

help with education some want to focus

help with education some want to focus not disabled so we created this

not disabled so we created this

not disabled so we created this enterprise wide platform to allow people

enterprise wide platform to allow people

enterprise wide platform to allow people to express their beliefs in terms of

to express their beliefs in terms of

to express their beliefs in terms of what they would like to do in terms of

what they would like to do in terms of

what they would like to do in terms of social engagement now suddenly there’s

social engagement now suddenly there’s

social engagement now suddenly there’s this other dimension of engagement not

this other dimension of engagement not

this other dimension of engagement not only with the organization but also with

only with the organization but also with

only with the organization but also with their own higher sense of purpose so

their own higher sense of purpose so

their own higher sense of purpose so bottom-up dowsers culture right there

bottom-up dowsers culture right there

bottom-up dowsers culture right there was social engagement we empowered

was social engagement we empowered

was social engagement we empowered people we said take risks go get

people we said take risks go get

people we said take risks go get innovation is all in keeping with the

innovation is all in keeping with the

innovation is all in keeping with the top-down

top-down

top-down yoky leadership approach of trying to

yoky leadership approach of trying to

yoky leadership approach of trying to fulfill your higher potential inside-out

fulfill your higher potential inside-out

fulfill your higher potential inside-out obviously as a public company we were

obviously as a public company we were

obviously as a public company we were listed we had to you know ensure that

listed we had to you know ensure that

listed we had to you know ensure that our policy practices we had best

our policy practices we had best

our policy practices we had best practices policy procedures everything

practices policy procedures everything

practices policy procedures everything had to make sure that you know we were

had to make sure that you know we were

had to make sure that you know we were kosher in terms of governance at the

kosher in terms of governance at the

kosher in terms of governance at the same time aligned with the vision of the

same time aligned with the vision of the

same time aligned with the vision of the company outside in again a very

company outside in again a very

company outside in again a very important facet how do you create a

important facet how do you create a

important facet how do you create a culture where people have the strength

culture where people have the strength

culture where people have the strength of character the strength of purpose to

of character the strength of purpose to

of character the strength of purpose to receive feedback it’s a tough world out

receive feedback it’s a tough world out

receive feedback it’s a tough world out there you’re getting beaten by

there you’re getting beaten by

there you’re getting beaten by competition the clients are beating you

competition the clients are beating you

competition the clients are beating you up you’re you know if you have a

up you’re you know if you have a

up you’re you know if you have a 360-degree assessment process

360-degree assessment process

360-degree assessment process everybody’s beating you up so the

everybody’s beating you up so the

everybody’s beating you up so the ability and the strength of character

ability and the strength of character

ability and the strength of character and purpose to receive feedback and

and purpose to receive feedback and

and purpose to receive feedback and apply it in a very meaningful way again

apply it in a very meaningful way again

apply it in a very meaningful way again helped the process of creating an

helped the process of creating an

helped the process of creating an evolved organization so here we what

evolved organization so here we what

evolved organization so here we what what did we do we essentially take the

what did we do we essentially take the

what did we do we essentially take the profits box obviously we’re public

profits box obviously we’re public

profits box obviously we’re public company the people box as well as

company the people box as well as

company the people box as well as purpose implemented dharmic for a

purpose implemented dharmic for a

purpose implemented dharmic for a sustainable approach to an enterprise my

sustainable approach to an enterprise my

sustainable approach to an enterprise my next experience is actually very

next experience is actually very

next experience is actually very different I joined a hedge fund as a

different I joined a hedge fund as a

different I joined a hedge fund as a partner in New York and this is a very

partner in New York and this is a very

partner in New York and this is a very interesting hedge fund because what we

interesting hedge fund because what we

interesting hedge fund because what we were doing is we were building a

were doing is we were building a

were doing is we were building a platform a software platform to

platform a software platform to

platform a software platform to implement financial economics ideas

implement financial economics ideas

implement financial economics ideas systematically systematically meant the

systematically systematically meant the

systematically systematically meant the CIO doesn’t make any manual calls the

CIO doesn’t make any manual calls the

CIO doesn’t make any manual calls the platform decides it spits out the model

platform decides it spits out the model

platform decides it spits out the model portfolio and you invest and you do a

portfolio and you invest and you do a

portfolio and you invest and you do a stock picking based on that obviously

stock picking based on that obviously

stock picking based on that obviously the research guys are extraordinary guys

the research guys are extraordinary guys

the research guys are extraordinary guys you know we had like a team of about 15

you know we had like a team of about 15

you know we had like a team of about 15 people from the top schools in the u.s.

people from the top schools in the u.s.

people from the top schools in the u.s. mostly PhDs in either financial

mostly PhDs in either financial

mostly PhDs in either financial economics finance or economics

economics finance or economics

economics finance or economics behavioral finance we combined all these

behavioral finance we combined all these

behavioral finance we combined all these ideas and you know you probably heard

ideas and you know you probably heard

ideas and you know you probably heard the word alpha it is all about

the word alpha it is all about

the word alpha it is all about generating alpha how do you beat the

generating alpha how do you beat the

generating alpha how do you beat the market at the same time there was a

market at the same time there was a

market at the same time there was a there was a degree of churn within the

there was a degree of churn within the

there was a degree of churn within the fund we’re thinking hey is this all you

fund we’re thinking hey is this all you

fund we’re thinking hey is this all you know we’ve got this amazing platform

know we’ve got this amazing platform

know we’ve got this amazing platform we’ve got these at MIT computer

we’ve got these at MIT computer

we’ve got these at MIT computer scientists who helped us build this

scientists who helped us build this

scientists who helped us build this capability almost like an expert system

capability almost like an expert system

capability almost like an expert system in financial economics let’s do

in financial economics let’s do

in financial economics let’s do something a little more meaningful so we

something a little more meaningful so we

something a little more meaningful so we brought up this idea of sustainability

brought up this idea of sustainability

brought up this idea of sustainability investing into a systematic plan so what

investing into a systematic plan so what

investing into a systematic plan so what did we do now typically sustainability

did we do now typically sustainability

did we do now typically sustainability is standing on three pillars

is standing on three pillars

is standing on three pillars environmental pillar social pillar and

environmental pillar social pillar and

environmental pillar social pillar and the governance pillar so you think about

the governance pillar so you think about

the governance pillar so you think about this ESG there’s an ability for us to

this ESG there’s an ability for us to

this ESG there’s an ability for us to look at public companies there’s a lot

look at public companies there’s a lot

look at public companies there’s a lot of data out there and try and assess

of data out there and try and assess

of data out there and try and assess which companies are scoring high on ESG

which companies are scoring high on ESG

which companies are scoring high on ESG parameters which companies are scoring

parameters which companies are scoring

parameters which companies are scoring low now we have the job to build a

low now we have the job to build a

low now we have the job to build a portfolio that will go long and short on

portfolio that will go long and short on

portfolio that will go long and short on stocks so we said let’s do this

stocks so we said let’s do this

stocks so we said let’s do this we’ll take companies that are high on

we’ll take companies that are high on

we’ll take companies that are high on ESG parameters and we allocate more

ESG parameters and we allocate more

ESG parameters and we allocate more money to some companies that are

money to some companies that are

money to some companies that are actually are scoring high the reason is

actually are scoring high the reason is

actually are scoring high the reason is because we believed the most sustainably

because we believed the most sustainably

because we believed the most sustainably aware an organization is the better they

aware an organization is the better they

aware an organization is the better they will do in terms of profits that is a

will do in terms of profits that is a

will do in terms of profits that is a fundamental belief so you go long

fundamental belief so you go long

fundamental belief so you go long you allocate more money to companies

you allocate more money to companies

you allocate more money to companies with high

with high

with high is G scores on the other side you had

is G scores on the other side you had

is G scores on the other side you had companies with terrible ESG scores

companies with terrible ESG scores

companies with terrible ESG scores violating environment norms you could

violating environment norms you could

violating environment norms you could clearly see their no commitment to

clearly see their no commitment to

clearly see their no commitment to social practices governance patchy we

social practices governance patchy we

social practices governance patchy we said okay we can do two things with them

said okay we can do two things with them

said okay we can do two things with them one is we can short them or we can

one is we can short them or we can

one is we can short them or we can eliminate them from our portfolio so in

eliminate them from our portfolio so in

eliminate them from our portfolio so in a very interesting way and these are

a very interesting way and these are

a very interesting way and these are large public companies in America that

large public companies in America that

large public companies in America that we said let’s influence the idea of

we said let’s influence the idea of

we said let’s influence the idea of sustainability and through the search

sustainability and through the search

sustainability and through the search fund platform we were able to do this

fund platform we were able to do this

fund platform we were able to do this interestingly at that time Al Gore and a

interestingly at that time Al Gore and a

interestingly at that time Al Gore and a bunch of people put together a company

bunch of people put together a company

bunch of people put together a company called generation capital to demonstrate

called generation capital to demonstrate

called generation capital to demonstrate to the world that actually you could

to the world that actually you could

to the world that actually you could attract capital and today when you see

attract capital and today when you see

attract capital and today when you see there is a notion called impact

there is a notion called impact

there is a notion called impact investing it’s come a long way by the

investing it’s come a long way by the

investing it’s come a long way by the way sustainable investing is actually

way sustainable investing is actually

way sustainable investing is actually traversed impact investing has started

traversed impact investing has started

traversed impact investing has started to become fairly mainstream a lot of

to become fairly mainstream a lot of

to become fairly mainstream a lot of allocators of capital now we will say we

allocators of capital now we will say we

allocators of capital now we will say we want to express our beliefs through our

want to express our beliefs through our

want to express our beliefs through our money so when I invest it’s not of

money so when I invest it’s not of

money so when I invest it’s not of course I want the profit of course I

course I want the profit of course I

course I want the profit of course I want the return but they also know as

want the return but they also know as

want the return but they also know as very savvy people that the volatility of

very savvy people that the volatility of

very savvy people that the volatility of their investments and the risk in their

their investments and the risk in their

their investments and the risk in their investments is lower when you invest

investments is lower when you invest

investments is lower when you invest through an impact framework because I

through an impact framework because I

through an impact framework because I didn’t you’re investing in companies

didn’t you’re investing in companies

didn’t you’re investing in companies that can actually sustain themselves

that can actually sustain themselves

that can actually sustain themselves more meaningfully in the long term so

more meaningfully in the long term so

more meaningfully in the long term so that was the experience that we had and

that was the experience that we had and

that was the experience that we had and we tried to engage so we ticked planet

we tried to engage so we ticked planet

we tried to engage so we ticked planet ESG we take people we take the notion of

ESG we take people we take the notion of

ESG we take people we take the notion of profits obviously when it was a hedge

profits obviously when it was a hedge

profits obviously when it was a hedge fund purpose not quite there in this

fund purpose not quite there in this

fund purpose not quite there in this experience so cut to my current

experience so cut to my current

experience so cut to my current situation where like I said I’m a

situation where like I said I’m a

situation where like I said I’m a partner in a private equity firm our

partner in a private equity firm our

partner in a private equity firm our focus is investing in companies in India

focus is investing in companies in India

focus is investing in companies in India but there’s one passion that binds us

but there’s one passion that binds us

but there’s one passion that binds us which is how do we how do we change the

which is how do we how do we change the

which is how do we how do we change the businesses that we invest in so our

businesses that we invest in so our

businesses that we invest in so our philosophy is essentially growth capital

philosophy is essentially growth capital

philosophy is essentially growth capital so we come in when the company is gone

so we come in when the company is gone

so we come in when the company is gone beyond its survival risk and we look at

beyond its survival risk and we look at

beyond its survival risk and we look at sectors that will actually align with

sectors that will actually align with

sectors that will actually align with our experience and then we start to

our experience and then we start to

our experience and then we start to express ourselves in terms of how can

express ourselves in terms of how can

express ourselves in terms of how can difference beyond that so first point

difference beyond that so first point

difference beyond that so first point how do we choose our sectors we

how do we choose our sectors we

how do we choose our sectors we eliminate sectors that pollute we

eliminate sectors that pollute we

eliminate sectors that pollute we eliminate sin sectors as they are called

eliminate sin sectors as they are called

eliminate sin sectors as they are called right tobacco alcohol a whole bunch of

right tobacco alcohol a whole bunch of

right tobacco alcohol a whole bunch of other related stuff we eliminate sin

other related stuff we eliminate sin

other related stuff we eliminate sin sickness we target sectors on the

sickness we target sectors on the

sickness we target sectors on the positive side that actually have a

positive side that actually have a

positive side that actually have a positive impact on the environment

positive impact on the environment

positive impact on the environment so we target clean tech so negatively we

so we target clean tech so negatively we

so we target clean tech so negatively we have an approach and we also take a

have an approach and we also take a

have an approach and we also take a positive constructive approach from the

positive constructive approach from the

positive constructive approach from the standpoint of the people dimension a big

standpoint of the people dimension a big

standpoint of the people dimension a big part of what we do is essentially mentor

part of what we do is essentially mentor

part of what we do is essentially mentor and engage with the leadership team of

and engage with the leadership team of

and engage with the leadership team of the companies in Weston and what we

the companies in Weston and what we

the companies in Weston and what we really want to nurture is enlightened

really want to nurture is enlightened

really want to nurture is enlightened leadership here because we really

leadership here because we really

leadership here because we really believe that enlightened leadership

believe that enlightened leadership

believe that enlightened leadership through a mentoring process can unleash

through a mentoring process can unleash

through a mentoring process can unleash tremendous positive forces through the

tremendous positive forces through the

tremendous positive forces through the enterprise so we actually engage is 360

enterprise so we actually engage is 360

enterprise so we actually engage is 360 degrees we go beyond strategy we you

degrees we go beyond strategy we you

degrees we go beyond strategy we you know we help hire people we only get

know we help hire people we only get

know we help hire people we only get them to do best practices and the

them to do best practices and the

them to do best practices and the innovation the whole point is to get

innovation the whole point is to get

innovation the whole point is to get them to go to the next level so from a

them to go to the next level so from a

them to go to the next level so from a people point of view does a tremendous

people point of view does a tremendous

people point of view does a tremendous amount of commitment that we have

amount of commitment that we have

amount of commitment that we have through this process and finally in

through this process and finally in

through this process and finally in terms of purpose you know all of us are

terms of purpose you know all of us are

terms of purpose you know all of us are doing so many things in terms of

doing so many things in terms of

doing so many things in terms of policymaking mentoring beyond our

policymaking mentoring beyond our

policymaking mentoring beyond our portfolios and we’re engaging with

portfolios and we’re engaging with

portfolios and we’re engaging with various ecosystems directly through the

various ecosystems directly through the

various ecosystems directly through the founders of our companies as well and

founders of our companies as well and

founders of our companies as well and through this process we are not only

through this process we are not only

through this process we are not only discovering more purpose for what we do

discovering more purpose for what we do

discovering more purpose for what we do but we’re also ensuring that people have

but we’re also ensuring that people have

but we’re also ensuring that people have the ability to express a higher purpose

the ability to express a higher purpose

the ability to express a higher purpose for what they do and I think just being

for what they do and I think just being

for what they do and I think just being aware of it and engaging in these

aware of it and engaging in these

aware of it and engaging in these concepts with the people that you work

concepts with the people that you work

concepts with the people that you work with was a very long way

with was a very long way

with was a very long way obviously profits you know we are a

obviously profits you know we are a

obviously profits you know we are a private equity fund we’ve got investors

private equity fund we’ve got investors

private equity fund we’ve got investors we have a mandate we have a duty to

we have a mandate we have a duty to

we have a mandate we have a duty to investors we got to do that but again

investors we got to do that but again

investors we got to do that but again you manage now to really take you know

you manage now to really take you know

you manage now to really take you know all four boxes of what we talked about

all four boxes of what we talked about

all four boxes of what we talked about earlier as the quarter the bottom line

earlier as the quarter the bottom line

earlier as the quarter the bottom line here so friends you know essentially

here so friends you know essentially

here so friends you know essentially capitalism has to change from within I

capitalism has to change from within I

capitalism has to change from within I think we all recognize that we have the

think we all recognize that we have the

think we all recognize that we have the think tanks we have the academics we

think tanks we have the academics we

think tanks we have the academics we have the institutions that can give us

have the institutions that can give us

have the institutions that can give us research data constructs frame

research data constructs frame

research data constructs frame to trigger our conscience as well as

to trigger our conscience as well as

to trigger our conscience as well as focus our consciousness but ultimately

focus our consciousness but ultimately

focus our consciousness but ultimately it’s up to us to act based on our

it’s up to us to act based on our

it’s up to us to act based on our beliefs thank you

beliefs thank you

beliefs thank you [Applause]

”

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