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3M Applies Science and Purpose to Life

August 20, 2020
Hosts: Carol Cone
Panelists: Gayle Schueller, Michael Stroik

3M — the company behind Command Strips, Post-Its, and thousands of other consumer and industrial products — has a profound commitment to purpose and innovation. The company’s tagline “Science. Applied to Life.” captures 3M’s massive R&D investments, vibrant culture, and comprehensive community engagement efforts, including a signature focus on STEM education and equity.

Joining Purpose 360 to speak about 3M’s purpose is Gayle Schueller, PhD, VP and Chief Sustainability Officer, and Michael Stroik, VP, 3M Foundation and Director, 3Mgives Community Relations.

Listen for Gayle and Michael’s insights on:

How 3M engages its people via community engagement programs, concretely linking employee skills and roles to opportunities to help youth succeed in STEM and beyond
The role of innovation in 3M’s operations, culture, and approach to community engagement and giving
3M’s COVID-19 response, from ramping up mask, face shield, and N95 respirator production to philanthropic giving and enabling e-volunteering and engagements
How 3M inspires people to join them in creating a more positive world through science

Links & Notes

(00:00) – Welcome to Purpose 360
(00:44) – Introduction to 3M
(02:30) – The Numbers
(05:37) – Gayle Schueller
(07:11) – Michael Stroik
(08:18) – Bringing 3M’s Purpose to Life
(12:06) – The Importance of Science
(15:56) – Differentiating Within Stem Field
(17:18) – Working Through the Pandemic
(19:39) – Sustainability and the N95 Mask
(22:08) – Making Sure Products Get to the Right People
(24:06) – Employee Engagement
(27:46) – Flexibility for Volunteering
(29:05) – 3M Impact Stories
(30:13) – Sustainability Stories
(35:33) – Science for Circular, Climate, and Community
(38:17) – Developing the Framework
(40:45) – Personal Insights in the Framework Development
(44:49) – Adding a Director of Social Justice Strategies & Initiatives
(47:21) – Located Close to Where George Floyd Was Killed
(51:46) – Living Authenticity
(54:46) – In Closing

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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.