BOLDtalks's video: The Business Case for Purpose - Christos Tsolkas - BOLDtalks Innovation 2017

Christos tells the story of how his own personal experience leading an organization through crisis inspired him to pursue an exploration of the powerful impact of purpose on teams and organizations. Along the way, Christos gained deeper insights through his research and hands-on experience that helped him see strong connections between purpose, innovation, economic growth and positive societal impact. As an illustration of this theory in action, Christos talks about his own company’s shift toward “harm reduction” as an organizational purpose, manifested in the launch of an innovative series of new products. Christos Tsolkas is the Vice President of Global Sales Strategy for Philip Morris International. Previously, he led Philip Morris Ukraine, Caucasus and Moldova and before Philip Morris Greece as Managing Director. Christos has had the unique opportunity to lead organizations in the midst of extreme crisis not once but twice; he was present when the Greek Economic Crisis of 2010 unfolded rapidly and also when the Ukrainian Crisis of 2013/14 devolved into a geopolitical conflict. In both cases, Christos stabilized business operations and maintained the morale and security of personnel and he led essential for growth brand portfolio initiatives. Most importantly he leveraged the opportunity to catalyze the development of his management teams, enabling the organization to weather those storms and thrive. Before Philip Morris and the tobacco industry, he spent a bit less than a decade doing Consumer and Trade Marketing, Sales and Key Accounts Management for DIAGEO, the world leader in the alcoholic beverages category. Christos is a turnaround practitioner, a creative thinker, and keen on internal startups, and digital, driven by the possibility of new ideas to transform businesses, grow markets and inspire people. An author, blogger and passionate speaker, Christos was born in Athens, Greece and has lived, and worked across Europe. He currently resides in Lausanne.