• Bob Forrester

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  • About Me

  • Bob Forrester worked in the philanthropic world for 50 years. Newman's Own, Inc. and its parent, Newman's Own Foundation, hired him as CEO in September 2008. Paul Newman had been CEO of the food company and its parent for a long time.

    It was Bob Forrester's job to lead this unique business and philanthropic organization from 26 years under its well-known, inspirational Founder to a future where it could thrive as an impactful independent organization based on its founding values.

    Bob Forrester was CEO of Newman's Own for six years. During that time, the company's profits grew at a rate of 10% compounded annual growth, while its competitors were only growing at a rate of 5% or less.

    Bob Forrester was CEO of the parent company for 10.5 years. During that time, Newman's Own gave away more than $286 million in profits to charities, more than 10 percent more than they had given away in the previous 26 years.

    As President of the Newman's Own Foundation, Bob Forrester came up with ways to encourage philanthropy around the world, help kids with life-limiting illnesses, veterans and their families, and help people overcome barriers to their potential. Bob's leadership in the sector was based on his belief that everyone should have the same opportunities, hope, and dignity, and that we should all care for the planet we all live on.


    Newman's Own faced a unique, life-or-death problem when it had to move from the Founder's era to the modern era. Newman's Own had to split up by the middle of November 2018 because of an unintended side effect of a tax law from years ago.


    Bob Forster was able to get bipartisan legislation passed and signed into law in February 2018 after nine years of personal work and as many as 200 meetings about it in a single year. This new business model, called the "Philanthropic Enterprise," was created. Newman's Own was able to stay in business thanks to this groundbreaking law. It also allowed dozens of other social entrepreneurs to start businesses based on a promise to donate 100% of their profits.


    Bob Forrester was the founder and CEO of Payne Forrester, LLC, a well-known international consulting firm that worked with non-profits on planning, management, fundraising, communications, and governance issues from 1980 to 2008. During Bob Forrester's time as CEO, the company worked with more than 500 people.


    American University of Beirut, the United Nations Foundation, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, 13 international therapeutic camps for children with life-limiting medical conditions, and the South African Free Election were some of the projects that Bob Forrester worked on during his time in Lebanon. Bob Forster worked at New York University and the University of Hartford from 1969 to 1980.


    People who have worked with him have been on the boards of Newman's Own Foundation, CECP, Serious Fun Children's Network, Safe Water Network, Re-Center, Re-Center (formerly the Discovery Center), Dukes County Cable TV, and FM radio station WMVY (founding director).


    There are a lot of people who work for Newman's Own: the University of Hartford Regent; Hartford Art School; the Connecticut Council of Philanthropy; Green Mountain Forest Corp.; the Mark Twain Memorial; Westport Country Playhouse; and The Alford Group.


    As an Army officer in Vietnam, Bob Forster was given a Bronze Star by the UNESCO Chair and Institute of Human Rights for his service. Mount Holyoke College and the University of Hartford also gave him Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees.


    Avon, Connecticut and Edgartown, Massachusetts, are two places where Bob Forrester and his wife and partner have lived. He has a B.S. in Psychology and has lived there with Linda. He still gives back to the community by serving on boards, doing a lot of volunteer work, writing, speaking, and giving pro-bono consulting advice.

  • Blog

  • On Becoming Philanthropic Rather Than Just Charitable

    Published on: 04-25-2022
  • In Bob Forrester’s opinion, getting started in charity isn't always easy. The first step to becoming a philanthropist is to choose a goal. What is it about charity that inspires you? What is the best way to discover a reputable charity? Are you interested in collaborating with others on a common project? The information in this guide is meant to assist you in making an informed decision. Charities that might benefit from pooling resources include the following.

    For philanthropy to be effective, a company's initiatives must be incorporated into the process on a more systematic level. In order to do this, the CEO must guide the whole management team through a philanthropic process and develop a corporate giving strategy aimed at enhancing the environment in which the firm works. As part of this process, business units should be consulted, and their input should be included in the selection of contextual investments.

    Bob Forrester pointed out that a company's competitive environment may be improved by altering the context. If you want to better the environment in which you operate, you may tap into the resources of organizations and other institutions. In this way, the corporation will be able to maximize its own profits while also making a positive impact on society. As a result of this form of giving, the organization will get more awareness and trust.

    Bob Forrester described that effective donors do more than just write cheques; they have an impact on the world around them. They're always looking for ways to improve themselves and their companies by collaborating with others. Donations are tied to personal aspirations and ideals. In the same way that grant recipients learn from their grantees, these leaders likewise do the same. Helping people who are less fortunate is the ultimate purpose of the organization.

  • Listed below are the top 15 characteristics of a successful business owner.

    Published On: 04-13-2022
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    In Bob Forrester's opinion, a number of characteristics distinguish successful businesspeople. One of these characteristics is their capacity to adapt to changing surroundings. The latter is particularly true in the corporate world, where one must constantly adjust to changing circumstances. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is essential since a firm cannot function in a static environment. A businessperson's ability to be nimble and adaptable is essential. This essay will discuss these characteristics as well as how to become a successful businessperson. This essay will also highlight the need of acquiring new skills in order to advance your career as a company owner or manager.

    An additional quality that makes an excellent businessperson is their honesty and reliability. These individuals must conduct themselves in an ethical and fair manner during all commercial interactions. They should also be open to learning from their mistakes and celebrating their victories as a learning experience. These characteristics are the building blocks of each successful businessperson. As a result, if you are contemplating establishing your own company, it is critical that you possess these characteristics. In addition to these, there are a number of additional characteristics that distinguish a successful businessperson from a decent one.

    Being a successful businessperson requires the ability to be self-assured as well. Individuals in leadership positions have the capacity to overcome anxieties and uncertainties, even in a challenging setting such as business. Confidence is also important since it inspires others to do their best. A lack of faith in a businessperson has ramifications for the team as a whole. As a result, it is critical to build confidence in order to prevent failure. The ability to learn on a continuous basis is essential for becoming a successful businessperson.

    A successful businessman should be able to demonstrate dynamic leadership abilities. He should be able to motivate his team and steer them in the proper way, as well. The effectiveness of a company's leadership is a critical aspect in its long-term survival and success. Many formerly lucrative businesses have collapsed as a result of bad management, while many others have successfully transformed a loss-making firm into a profitable one. If you want to operate your own firm or work for someone else, you should concentrate on improving your leadership abilities.

    Bob Forrester pointed out that, a successful businessperson must also be a dedicated worker. In order to achieve your goals, you must be a dedicated worker who does not allow setbacks to derail your progress. Hard work will pay off in the long term, so don't be afraid to put in the effort. Integrity will assist you in becoming a more successful businessperson. Getting other people to work for you will be difficult if you don't have integrity in yourself. That is why honesty and hard effort are crucial for achieving success in commercial ventures.

    Another important trait of a successful businessperson is his or her ability to be liked by others. It is a significant benefit in business to be well-liked, since people like and appreciate those with whom they can collaborate well. You will be more likely to get comprehensive cooperation as a result of this. You should be extra careful if you're attempting to impress others or establish professional contacts. Both staff and consumers should be treated with courtesy and courtesy should be shown to them. It will also boost the conduct of commercial transactions. Short-tempered individuals are often seen negatively in the corporate sector.

    Great businesses are always seeking to motivate and inspire their employees to work harder. People who are good at delegating responsibilities and motivating others to work together toward a shared objective are in demand. Learning marketing techniques is essential for achieving success in company. You may do this by consistent effort or by hiring a marketing staff. So, what characteristics distinguish a successful businessperson? Take these characteristics into consideration and work to develop yourself in order to become a better businessperson. It will be well worth it in the long term.

    Every businessperson has to be able to communicate effectively with others. Being able to communicate effectively in many languages is a huge asset, especially if you're representing a company outside of your own nation. The ability to reach out to colleagues and clients is also a need for effective communication abilities. This is critical for both internal and external communication, including business meetings, mailings, and other parts of company that take place outside of the office setting. Communication abilities are essential for success. However, kids should not limit themselves to language learning.

    According to Bob Forrester, a successful leader should exude charm and be approachable to his or her followers. As a result, it's critical that they be polite and accessible in order for customers to make purchases from them. Good leaders should have no trouble speaking in front of a group of people, whether it's at a meeting or when proposing a new concept to a large group of people. It is clear that many individuals would welcome the opportunity to conduct business with them. However, if they lack the necessary charm to accomplish so, it is time to look for someone with a new set of skills.

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