"The optimistic expectation of the authors is that eventually, for the betterment of society and the environment, the major business model will incorporate the principles and practices of 'Conscious Capitalism.' Hard data shows that, in the long run, conscious businesses outperform traditionally run companies by a wide margin. In fact, through all the practical advice and insight proffered from successful and compassionate entrepreneurs and businessmen, Conscious Capitalism demonstrates conclusively that in business, nice guys don’t always finish last. They may finish first."

"Those looking for rigorous analysis and informed inspiration will be disappointed. Conscious Capitalism speaks some truths that are too often left unsaid. But the book falls prey to the same fatal flaw of other business books and CEO treatises: namely, promotion of an oversimplified framework that ignores the complexities of the real world. [...] The starting premise of Conscious Capitalism will be enough to turn off many: that business is 'fundamentally good and ethical.' It is true that economic development has lifted millions out of poverty. But business has also harmed individuals and communities around the world [...] if business was inherently good, why should it matter whether its leaders are enlightened or not?"

"Conscious Capitalism is a book, but it is also the name of a nonprofit organization --perhaps even an ashram somewhere dedicated to being a pacean for free-market capitalism. As Jerry Seinfeld would have said, and this reviewer would concur, not that there is anything wrong with that. In fact, there is a lot to be said for it, and the volume's subtitle, Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business, certainly conveys that unabashedly pro-business message. Whole Foods cofounder and CEO Mackey and marketing professor Sisodia (Bentley Univ.) have teamed up to produce a feel-good, how-to volume for 'with it' (or wannabe) business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors. Eighteen stand-alone chapters grouped in four sections or tenets--'Higher Purpose,' 'Stakeholder Integration,' 'Conscious Leadership,' and 'Conscious Culture and Management'--spread the gospel about how to develop a prosperous business that also benefits society. The book contains many examples of successful companies that employ these tenets in their business operations, e.g., Southwest Airlines, Google, Patagonia, and UPS. Decent notes and index. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers and practitioners."