Several years ago, I read a book titled "Saving the World at Work" by Tim Sanders. The basic premise of the book is that you don't necessarily have to sacrifice your moral compass in order to be conventionally successful in the business world, just as you don't have to give up on "doing well" at work if you want to "do good" in the world too. These objectives are not necessarily in direct opposition or conflict with one another. You just need to think about them in the right sort of way.

For the most part, people tend to look at the world of technology through the lens of commerce. They look at humble tech startups and multinational corporations in much the same way. How can they make money? How can they be profitable? While this is a perfectly valid way to consider a technology business or platform it also can be used to advance social justice initiatives and elevate humanitarian efforts to higher levels of visibility and effectiveness.

An incredible example of this was with the Arab Spring a few years ago. If it were not for Twitter, that remarkable revolution may not have been possible. Organizers were able to communicate with one another in unprecedented ways, giving real-time updates and information to all those involved in a decidedly efficient and expedient manner. The rallying cries of the revolutionaries could not only be heard in Tahrir Square in Egypt, but also all around the world, gaining a level of prominence and visibility that may not have otherwise been possible without Twitter.

Regardless of how you might feel about him from a political or ethical standpoint, it's undeniable that Julian Assange and WikiLeaks had a dramatic impact on how information can be quickly and easily disseminated over the Internet. This is incredibly empowering because it means that everyone has a voice online (for better or for worse) which can be heard by millions or even billions of people around the globe. Technology in the right hands can help to save the world.

For instance, while high-end smartphones now cost upwards of $1,000, many entry-level handsets with surprisingly high levels of functionality are now available in developing countries for as little as $100. Indeed, for many people living in these areas, their smartphones function as not only as their main form of communication with a lack of a landline but also as their primary computer. This access to the internet and the wealth of tools and information can empower the masses to do a lot of good.

Indeed, advancing technology and the increasingly widespread accessibility and adoption of it has had a democratizing effect on the world. While the playing field isn't perfectly level, there are now legitimate opportunities for low budget small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and non-profit agencies to enact influence. But in order to have the impact that they desire, companies and organizations must first start with strong branding. The accessibility of technology is a double-edged sword, in this way. Because everyone has a voice, it can be a challenge to stand out from the crowd and get recognized. When you don't have a big budget to spend on visibility, branding, and marketing, what can you do?

Again, rapid advancements in technology can provide the tools and platforms to move toward gaining prominence and getting noticed. You may have heard about some of the developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This isn't just a theoretical conversation about how mega-corporations can leverage the technology for profit. It's already being used by organizations of all sizes to get ahead.

For a brand to stand out and get their message across, there is a need for a strong social media presence, ideally on more than one platform although many businesses have focused only on one and have seen positive results. For businesses looking to get a short, powerful message across, I recommend using Instagram because I have found it to be the most effective in maintaining a relationship with your audience and sending here you can build an across your message in a clear, attractive format.

From there, a number of activities, tactics, and strategies can be employed to gain followers on Instagram, reach new audiences on Twitter, expand a presence on Facebook, and truly move toward changing the world for the better. It's about finding a way to connect with the right people, sharing the right message, on the right platform at the right time and in the right way.

Strong ideals and a desire to make the world a better place are admirable traits, but they are not enough to actually enact the necessary change. Thankfully, increasingly powerful forms of technology are increasingly accessible to everyone regardless of geography or budget. The road isn't smooth and it won't be easy, but with the right tech, almost anything is possible.