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Improving Life at Home with Whirlpool

We use appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines daily to save time and improve our quality of life – often without recognizing their impact on our lives. Aside from noticing our monthly electric or water bills, we rarely think about the environmental impact of these appliances – but Whirlpool does.

Whirlpool and its portfolio of impressive brands like KitchenAid, Maytag, and Consul understand both the environmental and social impact of its products – and have for the past 111 years. From its net zero and energy efficiency targets to a 23-year long partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Whirlpool is committed to bettering the planet while producing quality products that improve life at home. Purpose is deeply embedded in the company’s operations, products, and community involvement so everyone – regardless of where they live or what they make – can have an improved life at home.

We invited Pam Klyn, Senior Vice President of Corporate Reputation & Sustainability, and Deb O’Connor, Director of Global Corporate Reputation and Community Relations, from Whirlpool to discuss the company’s legacy, its House + Home programs, and how Whirlpool balances environmental impact while still delivering a quality product.

Listen for more insights on:

How to bring environmental sustainability and social commitments under one umbrella.
How to communicate CSR accomplishments while maintaining humility and staying true to values.
Real challenges and lessons learned from working in and with local communities.
How to start and engage in effective internal mentoring.

Resources + Links:

(00:00) – Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:13) – Whirlpool
(03:35) – Pam’s Background
(04:49) – Deb’s Background
(05:48) – Learning from Dreams
(09:58) – Getting That First Job with Whirlpool
(13:35) – Historic Engagement & Sustainability
(16:00) – Corporate & Community Relations
(19:11) – Net Zero
(24:54) – Partner Relationships
(29:45) – Build Better With Whirlpool
(32:05) – Embedding
(34:44) – Generating Ideas
(35:56) – Working in Their Own Community
(40:20) – Dealing With Challenges
(42:46) – Newsroom
(44:45) – Embedding Purpose
(47:25) – Innovations in the Underdeveloped World
(50:12) – Mentoring
(54:05) – Last Words
(55:31) – Wrap Up

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Business is an unlikely hero: a force for good working to solve society’s most pressing challenges, while boosting bottom line. This is social purpose at work. And it’s a dynamic journey.

Purpose 360 is a masterclass in unlocking the potential of social purpose to ignite business and social impact. We illuminate the growing impacts of purpose, from engaging employees and fostering deeper consumer loyalty to inspiring product innovation and increasing market share.