Comments on: 10% Solution™: Certified Social Responsibility http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/03/10-solution%e2%80%9an%c2%a2-certified-social-responsibility/ Business, Better. Since 2005 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:33:24 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Nick Aster http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/03/10-solution%e2%80%9an%c2%a2-certified-social-responsibility/comment-page-1/#comment-8954 Nick Aster Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:59:34 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/wordpress/2009/03/10-solution%e2%80%9an%c2%a2-certified-social-responsibility/#comment-8954 Well said Gennefer. I think you're absolutely right about companies not surviving with a "me only" attitude. What I fear is that if we don't get companies to see outside their edges, it'll bring down the whole economy... wait, didn't that just happen? :-) Well said Gennefer. I think you’re absolutely right about companies not surviving with a “me only” attitude. What I fear is that if we don’t get companies to see outside their edges, it’ll bring down the whole economy… wait, didn’t that just happen? :-)

]]> By: Gennefer Snowfield http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/03/10-solution%e2%80%9an%c2%a2-certified-social-responsibility/comment-page-1/#comment-8953 Gennefer Snowfield Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:45:21 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/wordpress/2009/03/10-solution%e2%80%9an%c2%a2-certified-social-responsibility/#comment-8953 Dave, Thanks so much for your comment, and feedback on the post. I am in agreement that profit and good can -- and should -- happily co-exist, and the point of the statement you highlighted about "serving the greater good versus their own self-interests" was meant to illustrate that point. <p>Paying lip service to social responsibility as a tactic for elevating your brand [without putting the action behind it] is in direct opposition to the concept of conscious and sustainable business where people and planet <em>both</em> benefit. And in a market where companies continue to green- and causewash their brands, it's difficult for consumers to see the net social good of those efforts, or distinguish those who are actually committed to positively impacting the world instead of using it as a PR play. <p>The fact of the matter is that the companies who continue to <em>solely</em> serve their own self interests will not survive in a changing landcsape where consumers and stakeholders demand that businesses operate responsibly, and will financially support the ones who do. <p>There is absolutely nothing wrong with making a profit. But when it's made at the expense of the environment or fair trade practices or has a negative impact on its employees, our society -- or the world -- it is not only bad for the greater good, but it will ultimately be bad for their business in the long term.</p></p></p> Dave,
Thanks so much for your comment, and feedback on the post. I am in agreement that profit and good can — and should — happily co-exist, and the point of the statement you highlighted about “serving the greater good versus their own self-interests” was meant to illustrate that point.

Paying lip service to social responsibility as a tactic for elevating your brand [without putting the action behind it] is in direct opposition to the concept of conscious and sustainable business where people and planet both benefit. And in a market where companies continue to green- and causewash their brands, it’s difficult for consumers to see the net social good of those efforts, or distinguish those who are actually committed to positively impacting the world instead of using it as a PR play.

The fact of the matter is that the companies who continue to solely serve their own self interests will not survive in a changing landcsape where consumers and stakeholders demand that businesses operate responsibly, and will financially support the ones who do.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with making a profit. But when it’s made at the expense of the environment or fair trade practices or has a negative impact on its employees, our society — or the world — it is not only bad for the greater good, but it will ultimately be bad for their business in the long term.

]]> By: Dave Shires http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/03/10-solution%e2%80%9an%c2%a2-certified-social-responsibility/comment-page-1/#comment-8952 Dave Shires Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:27:49 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/wordpress/2009/03/10-solution%e2%80%9an%c2%a2-certified-social-responsibility/#comment-8952 "serving the greater good versus their own self interests" ... I think this is too polarizing of a statement and shows where "cause" folks often miss the point as much as the corporations do. It's not about "versus", it's about simultaneously serving their own self interest and that of society and the environment at large - this shouldn't be thought of as a conflict. Rather it should be a puzzle - how can you make sure what companies do isn't hurting society? If a company is doing something harmful (take the extreme example of a landmine manufacturer) what can you do to transition that company into something less harmful? I'm much more impressed by a company that treats employees and customers well, has a small impact on the environment and is open and innovative than I am by a company sending x% of their income to some charity. Anyway, I'm rambling, but I think point #5 above starts to get to what I'm alluding to. “serving the greater good versus their own self interests” … I think this is too polarizing of a statement and shows where “cause” folks often miss the point as much as the corporations do. It’s not about “versus”, it’s about simultaneously serving their own self interest and that of society and the environment at large – this shouldn’t be thought of as a conflict. Rather it should be a puzzle – how can you make sure what companies do isn’t hurting society? If a company is doing something harmful (take the extreme example of a landmine manufacturer) what can you do to transition that company into something less harmful?
I’m much more impressed by a company that treats employees and customers well, has a small impact on the environment and is open and innovative than I am by a company sending x% of their income to some charity.
Anyway, I’m rambling, but I think point #5 above starts to get to what I’m alluding to.

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