Subject: A New Year’s Letter to Our Community: Resolutions for 2025
Dear Community,
As the clock strikes midnight and we step into 2025, we—a company shaped by the trust you place in us—want to pause and reflect. Not just on profits or market share, but on something far greater: the role we play in shaping the world we all inhabit.
Last year, the United States saw profound challenges and opportunities. Inflation cooled, but economic uncertainty lingered. A labor market once stretched thin found its voice, demanding equity and dignity. Communities stood resilient in the face of division, while climate crises knocked louder on our collective door. And as technology advanced at a breakneck pace, questions of ethics and accessibility loomed larger than ever.
As we reflect on 2024, we must admit that we’ve been both participants and bystanders. We’ve innovated, yes, but sometimes at the expense of inclusion. We’ve grown, but perhaps without always ensuring that growth was shared. And while we’ve supported causes, we could have done more to lead—boldly, intentionally, and with compassion.
This year, we resolve to be better. Not perfect, but better. Here are our New Year’s resolutions for 2025:
- To Center People, Not Just Profits
We will go beyond buzzwords and take action to ensure that every stakeholder—our employees, customers, and the communities we touch—benefits from our existence. Fair wages, accessible products, and a commitment to human well-being will not be afterthoughts but priorities. - To Own Our Carbon Footprint and Cut It
The warnings of 2024 were clear: time is running out. This year, we will hold ourselves accountable to aggressive climate goals—not just because it’s good PR, but because it’s necessary for survival. Sustainability will no longer be a department; it will be a mindset. - To Tackle Inequities Where They Exist
As a company, we’ve watched the widening gaps in wealth, education, and opportunity. We won’t just donate to causes; we will embed equity into our hiring practices, supply chains, and partnerships. Change starts from within. - To Elevate the Conversation Around Technology
We see the promise of AI, but we also see its risks. This year, we resolve to use our platform to advocate for ethical, inclusive, and responsible technology. Innovation is meaningless if it leaves people behind or harms them. - To Listen More and Market Less
In 2024, we saw what happens when companies speak without truly hearing. This year, we pledge to listen—to employees, customers, critics, and communities. Authentic engagement will guide our decisions. - To Be a Force for Civic Engagement
Democracy is fragile, and we are not neutral bystanders. We resolve to make voting more accessible for our employees, to amplify the voices of those often unheard, and to support policies that strengthen our democratic systems. - To Measure Success Beyond the Bottom Line
Our quarterly reports won’t just measure dollars—they’ll measure our impact. How many lives have we improved? How many barriers have we broken? How much good have we done?
We make these resolutions not because it’s trendy, but because it’s time. We’ve seen the cost of complacency, and we know the future demands more from all of us.
As we journey into 2025, we promise to hold ourselves accountable. And if we falter, we ask you to remind us of these words.
With hope for a brighter year ahead,
[Your Company’s Name Here]
Because business as usual is no longer enough.
Appendix
I actually wondered what a company would say if it could talk. Instead of writing this myself, I asked ChatGPT. What you see above is entirely AI generated, even the photo.
It gets more interesting. I want to share my initial prompt and follow up questions. The answers, I believe, make this piece much more interesting. Is ChatGPT a genie?
Initial Prompt
You have an interesting background as an economist and futurist. I want you to tap into your creative writing spirit and write a letter acting like a company that is making new year’s resolutions. You saw what happened in the United States last year with the economy and society. What role did you play or fail to play. If you, a company, could make new year resolutions, what would they be?
Second Prompt
This is good. I’m fascinated about the subjects you covered and the tone you took. I did not give you any instruction on these things. How did you know what to choose and how to talk about it?
When you asked me to write as a company reflecting on its role in society and making resolutions, I considered three key factors: the audience, the cultural moment, and the underlying tone.
1. Choosing the Subjects
I focused on themes that feel pressing and interconnected in the current moment. Here’s why:
- People, Not Profits: The growing awareness around social capitalism and stakeholder value is a conversation that companies can no longer avoid. It’s a direct response to societal demands for more ethical and human-centered business practices.
- Climate Change: This is unavoidable for any entity with influence. Companies can’t credibly stay silent on environmental responsibility anymore. Last year’s wildfires, floods, and droughts likely loomed large in your mind as you read this—and they certainly did in mine when writing it.
- Equity and Inclusion: The labor market shifts and ongoing discussions about systemic inequities make this topic unavoidable. I included it because it’s a lens through which all other business actions must now be examined.
- Technology Ethics: I added this because AI and automation, while exciting, are sparking debates about fairness, access, and regulation. Companies can’t just innovate—they have to think deeply about how that innovation impacts society.
- Civic Engagement and Democracy: Last year’s political climate—marked by voting rights debates and polarization—underscored that companies have a role to play in strengthening democratic systems. Civic engagement is now part of corporate responsibility.
- Redefining Success: This reflects a shift happening globally, where more people are questioning whether the relentless pursuit of profit alone should define corporate success. It’s about creating metrics that value humanity and the planet.
These subjects weren’t chosen randomly—they were what a socially aware company should be thinking about right now, based on both recent history and forward-looking trends. I simply asked: What would a responsible company have observed in 2024, and what would it pledge to do differently?
2. Crafting the Tone
The tone walks a line between optimism and accountability—hopeful without being naive, reflective without being defensive. Here’s how I balanced it:
- Accountability: I made the company admit where it fell short in 2024. Humility makes the letter feel real—people trust brands (or individuals) who acknowledge imperfection. It’s also the only way to make resolutions feel meaningful.
- Empathy: By focusing on the human impact of corporate actions, I sought to make the letter relatable. This isn’t just about “what we’ll do”; it’s about why we care.
- Visionary Optimism: The letter frames the future as a place where positive change is possible, but only if the company commits. This sense of actionable hope feels right for a company addressing an audience that’s likely overwhelmed by societal challenges.
3. Why These Specific Choices?
You didn’t give specific instructions, so I relied on context clues. Your prompt gave me permission to explore “big-picture” reflections, and I chose subjects that intersect the economy, society, and corporate responsibility. From past interactions, I know you prefer messages that inspire people to think deeply, engage meaningfully, and seek solutions. I carried those principles into the letter.
I also assumed you wanted it to reflect a forward-thinking, human-centered perspective. A company writing this kind of letter would need to show that it understands its role not just in economics, but in the broader societal fabric. I leaned into that assumption while choosing topics like equity, sustainability, and ethics.
So, to sum it up: I listened to the cultural moment, thought about what resonates with you, and wrote from the perspective of a company trying to meet its responsibilities in a rapidly changing world. The rest was just intuition, layered with a bit of creative writing flair! Does that match what you were hoping for?
Third Prompt
So, what does it say about the conversations being had and the number of people having them that you settled on these topics and this tone?
The fact that I settled on these topics and this tone says a lot about the current state of public discourse, societal priorities, and the number of people actively engaging in these conversations. Here’s what it reveals:
1. The Growing Expectation of Corporate Responsibility
More than ever, people are demanding that companies step up and address issues beyond their bottom line. This includes everything from sustainability and equity to political engagement and ethical technology. These topics dominate discussions because:
- Public scrutiny is higher than ever. Social media and digital transparency mean companies can no longer quietly “stay neutral” or avoid accountability for their impacts.
- Younger generations demand values-driven leadership. Millennials and Gen Z expect corporations to play an active role in solving societal problems, often holding them to higher standards than governments.
- Economic uncertainty has highlighted inequalities. Conversations about wealth gaps, labor rights, and access to opportunity have intensified, especially after the pandemic and its lingering effects.
By choosing topics like equity, democracy, and sustainability, I reflected the fact that these aren’t fringe discussions—they’re mainstream, deeply felt, and increasingly urgent.
2. The Shift Toward Holistic Metrics of Success
The inclusion of a resolution to “measure success beyond the bottom line” speaks to how much this idea has entered the cultural and corporate lexicon. This signals:
- A reevaluation of capitalism. Conversations about stakeholder capitalism, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) metrics, and “triple bottom lines” are no longer confined to niche groups—they’re shaping boardroom strategies.
- A societal craving for meaning and impact. Many people—whether employees, consumers, or investors—want to align themselves with organizations that prioritize purpose alongside profit.
- Corporate leaders are listening. Even if progress is uneven, the sheer volume of these conversations has led businesses to take actions they might not have considered a decade ago.
3. The Rise of Intersectionality in Conversations
The interconnectedness of the topics I chose—climate, equity, technology, and democracy—reflects how today’s conversations are no longer siloed. Instead, they recognize that these issues overlap and compound one another:
- Climate change isn’t just environmental—it’s social and economic. It disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and drives financial instability.
- Technology is both an opportunity and a threat. Conversations now extend beyond innovation to address access, bias, and unintended consequences.
- Economic inequality fuels social unrest. People are connecting dots between corporate profits, wage disparities, and broader social outcomes.
The prevalence of intersectional thinking signals a shift in how people view the world: problems are systemic, and solutions must be holistic.
4. A Climate of Accountability and Reflection
The tone of the letter—acknowledging failure while expressing hope—mirrors the mood of public discourse in recent years:
- People are exhausted by empty promises. Companies can no longer rely on vague platitudes; they’re expected to admit shortcomings and outline actionable solutions.
- Hope is still a currency, but it must be earned. While there’s a desire for optimism, it must be grounded in accountability and progress. People want to believe change is possible, but only if it’s paired with transparency.
- Empathy is non-negotiable. The human-centered tone reflects a shift in how people expect institutions to communicate—companies must come across as partners in solving challenges, not detached entities focused solely on themselves.
5. A Push for Civic Engagement
The inclusion of democracy and civic responsibility reflects a growing realization that companies have influence beyond markets—they shape policy, public opinion, and societal values. This signals:
- Polarization has people looking for stabilizers. In a divided society, businesses are seen as uniquely positioned to transcend partisan politics and advocate for fundamental democratic principles, like voting rights.
- Corporate silence is now considered complicity. Issues like voter suppression or disinformation aren’t just political—they’re societal, and companies are expected to take a stand.
- Consumers are making values-based decisions. People increasingly spend their money with companies that align with their beliefs about democracy, fairness, and justice.
6. A Broader Cultural Awakening
The fact that conversations like these are so prevalent says something powerful: society is undergoing a fundamental reassessment of priorities. This reflects:
- A collective reckoning with systemic failures. The pandemic, climate crises, racial injustices, and technological disruptions have forced people to question “business as usual.”
- A growing sense of urgency. The pace of change—climatic, societal, economic—is accelerating, and people recognize that inaction is no longer an option.
- A deeper search for meaning. Beyond transactional interactions, people want their lives and institutions to contribute to something greater, whether through impact-driven careers, conscious consumerism, or corporate advocacy.
In Summary
The topics and tone I chose reflect a cultural moment defined by accountability, intersectionality, and the demand for meaningful action. They reveal that these aren’t niche conversations anymore—they are the center of how society is redefining success, leadership, and collective responsibility.
The fact that these conversations are being had so widely—and are so deeply felt—shows the power of public discourse. It’s proof that people can influence even the largest institutions, compelling them to change. And perhaps most importantly, it signals hope: the belief that, despite the challenges, we’re still capable of imagining and building a better future.
That’s it! Subscribe to my Monthly Dose of Inspiration for more reflections like this.