Prioritise impact over profits: Margins ID Group CEO tells youth

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Margins ID Group, Moses Baiden Jnr, has urged young people to look beyond personal wealth and focus on the broader impact they can make on society, both locally and globally.

Speaking in an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Mr Baiden said business should be viewed as a powerful tool for transforming society, empowering people and contributing to national development.

“…Business has its impact in transforming society and empowering people to learn and advance, and also providing resources to impact the economy and people’s lives,” he said.

He stressed that many successful global business models were built with long-term societal transformation in mind rather than short-term profit.

“But the fast food story is 150 years old. That’s actually to transform a nation. The examples that have gone before that we try to repeat are to encourage people to be that enlightened, to go beyond self and profits, and to think about the impact that they’re making internationally. And that’s why I said that the fast food job is the most important job, in terms of its impact,” he added.

Mr Baiden encouraged the youth to embrace values such as service, resilience and productivity, noting that success should be measured by impact rather than wealth alone.

“It’s your impact that matters,” he said. “You can be a billionaire, and if you value that, that’s fine. You can also be an excellent teacher, pastor, or political activist. What counts is the effect you have on society.”

He also highlighted the importance of what he described as “holistic education,” which combines knowledge, character development and mentorship to prepare young people for national development.

“I use education in a holistic sense. I don’t mean academic education. Character, training, values, and the pursuit of enlightenment,” he explained.

According to Mr Baiden, productive sectors of the economy require individuals with discipline, skills and experience, not just academic qualifications. He noted that mentorship and rigorous training help shape strong work ethics and long-term focus.

“If you are used to waking up at a certain time and working 14 hours a day, and you are enthused about the work. You don’t feel the pain of it,” he said, adding that people without purpose are more likely to feel overwhelmed by work.

He urged young people to pursue goals and values that prioritise social impact, stressing that such an approach delivers benefits far beyond personal gain.

“It’s not just about yourself or profits,” he said. “It matters in the end game.”