From prioritizing our stakeholders to understanding the benefits of purpose, there is a growing body of research and thought supporting the pursuit of a purpose-driven brand. Here are five posts that delve into the subject - check them out:

• One Employee Question That Leaders Can't Afford to Ignore – a good post from the ever-reliable Gallup. Here’s a taste: "The focus of corporations has shifted from shareholders to stakeholders"

• The limits of the pursuit of profit – a worthwhile read from the Financial Times: “Businesses that combine profit with a wider purpose will benefit from the reinforced commitment of employees and customers. Those that fail to do so will not survive to become the companies of the future.”

• ESG: Why purpose drives returns - not the opposite – an interesting post from the investment post that points to the need for clarifying a purpose: "Establishing a corporate purpose can motivate employees to be part of a greater mission."

• As corporate philanthropy and marketing stunts converge, who is actually benefiting? – a smart post from Fast Company: “One of the signature questions asked by plutocrats and big companies in the age of capital is: ‘How can I do more good?’ And one of the most neglected questions, the question they really should be asking is: ‘How can I do less harm?'“

• Brands have never been more pressured to lead with purpose: report – a helpful post from PR Week that illustrates the importance of bringing a purpose to life: “Brands must prove they understand their customers as human beings, and that they’re doing good in their communities and in the world at large. Brands that do this can build a new, deeper brand loyalty based on mutual respect.”