Today's consumers are eager to become loyal fans of companies that respect purposeful capitalism. They are not opposed to companies making a profit; indeed, they may even be investors in these companies - but at the core, they want more empathic, enlightened corporations that seek a balance between profit and purpose.

The United States is at a critical juncture in time. Our government is riddled with historic debt, and the limited resources of philanthropic and non-profit efforts cannot meet the scale of social challenges we face with necessary force.

Social media is not about the exploitation of technology but service to community.

Find the human in the technology. The currency marketers trade in has not changed even if the methods have. Emotion is what we exchange.

Consumers desiring a better world have already achieved some successes in this regard, helping to transform several industries from the ground up.

The question remains: which brands will commit to creating a private sector pillar of social change, and which will become casualties of their own outdated thinking?

Since most corporate competitors have the same problems with sustainability and social reputation, it's worth trying to solve them together.