BRANDSTALK #13
Alice Schmidt
Global Adviser on Sustainability
and Social Impact
It is my pleasure to start my 1st BrandsTalk podcast episode this new year with Alice Schmidt who talks about sustainability in a post-COVID world and how companies can future-proof their brands.
Before diving deep into sustainability and how it impacts branding strategies, Alice Schmidt sets the term straight; she defines sustainability and what it means to her as this term is used in diverse contexts.
She talks about her role as a Senior Global Health Adviser to the European Commission, being Chair of the Board of Endeva, her own company AS Consulting, and the current global health, sustainability, and social impact issues and challenges she is dealing with!
As COVID has recasted the relationship between organisations and people, she gives insights on how brands can deliver on the expectations of customers now have. Given the impact of COVID on the society, people deeply reflect their consumption choices and are demanding more of the businesses they buy into! Ultimately, how these will influence the way brands move forward!
From her perspective as a sustainability expert she gives advice on brand building essentials for someone who wants to start a business and build a purpose/impact—driven brand. Furthermore, how to grow and scale such a brand globally.
Very interesting is also her advice for companies entering less developed markets, specifically engaging with the base of the pyramid.
We also addressed some companies’ practices of greenwashing and the negative consequences in every respect.
About Alice Schmidt
Alice Schmidt is a global advisor on sustainability and social impact. She has been engaging at the intersection of social, environmental and economic issues for more than 20 years.
In addition to advising the European Commission on Global Health and directing her own consulting firm AS Consulting, Alice Schmidt is an MIT Climate Ambassador and Chair of the Board of Endeva e.V., a not-for-profit focusing on inclusive innovation and social business.
Besides other engagements, Alice Schmidt has been teaching courses for BA and MBA students from around the globe on Sustainable Business and Management for the Future.
Alice Schmidt is a systems thinker and never losing sight of the bigger picture.
