Analysis
Multiple publicly available transcripts and video recordings show Benioff using this exact phrasing in speeches and interviews. In his 2020 World Economic Forum appearance, he said, “The business of business is to improve the state of the world.” The same wording appears in Salesforce’s 2020 Dreamforce keynote and in several media interviews where he discusses the company’s purpose. The statement accurately reflects Benioff’s expressed mantra.
Background
Marc Benioff, founder and CEO of Salesforce, has positioned the company’s mission around a broader social purpose, emphasizing stakeholder capitalism. Since 2010, Salesforce has promoted a “1‑1‑1 model” of philanthropy and regularly cites improving global well‑being as its core purpose. The phrase has become a hallmark of Benioff’s public messaging.
Verdict summary
Marc Benioff has repeatedly said that “the business of business is improving the state of the world,” including at the World Economic Forum in 2020.