25. Oct, 2010 •
Categories: Commercial & Nonprofit Partnerships, Rants & Raves, Trends •
by Olivia Khalili
Coke, it’s everywhere. It’s in communities without electricity, running water or proper nutrition. Why? Because it’s an innovator in distribution, consumer analysis and marketing. What can the social impact sector (nonprofits, social enterprises, the public sector) learn from Coke that will allow us to save more lives? Melinda French Gates asked this question during a TEDxChange [...]
2 Comments
04. Aug, 2010 •
Categories: Cause Marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Rants & Raves, Trends •
by Olivia Khalili
I’m not the first to make the case that crowdsourced social good contests should retreat quickly into the night. They’re inefficient at creating change; Their current popularity has diminished the value they bring to companies and brands; Consumers are fed up with them (how many vote-for-me solicitations do you get a week that make you feel [...]
3 Comments
13. Jul, 2010 •
Categories: Businesses, Cause Marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Interviews, Podcast, Trends •
by admin
This was one of the most educational interviews I’ve done. Mike is able to admit when he’s wrong, to explain the internal motivations and strategy behind his company’s social responsibility programs and to go beyond corporate sound bites. Click the player to listen to our conversation. Prefer MP3? Right-click and download. [Audio clip: view full post to [...]
0 Comments
09. Jul, 2010 •
Categories: Corporate Social Responsibility, Rants & Raves •
by admin
On a wall in Honest Tea’s office is a Chinese proverb that cautions Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. It’s a prescient warning given the story I’m about to tell, but the lesson I want to highlight is that when you invest in sustainability as an image [...]
4 Comments
17. Jun, 2010 •
Categories: Consumer Behavior, Micro-lending, Web/Tech •
by admin
Are you letting me know why I should make a donation, sign a petition, cast a vote or buy what you’re selling? It’s an obvious statement, but one that’s not always executed on, despite perception. Kiva.org has faciliated more than $100 million in loans in a few short years. Really outstanding, except it could be [...]
3 Comments
15. Jun, 2010 •
Categories: Business Models, Businesses, Employee Involvement •
by admin
The principle of the following story is so simple and effective that it’s a wonder we ever conjured up advertising to sell our wares. Take your largest and most expensive asset, your employees, and use it to build your business. During an interview last week with enlightened entrepreneur Chip Conley he mentioned that his company, [...]
1 Comment
03. Jun, 2010 •
Categories: Rants & Raves •
by admin
What distinguishes your company from your competitors? How are you sharing what makes you unique? Did you know Sprint has a buy-back program that’s kept more than 20 million cell phones out of landfills since 2001? Did you know it has a new phone, the Reclaim, made from 80% recycled plastics? That it aims to recover [...]
0 Comments
21. May, 2010 •
Categories: Build a Purpose-driven Business, Tools •
by admin
This point is often overlooked. Your do-gooding and good deeding aren’t a substitute for marketing. Customers can’t love you for what you do if they don’t know you. At this point you might be thinking: But Wait! One of the benefits of a social mission is the visibility it brings to my company. I’ve even [...]
2 Comments
20. May, 2010 •
Categories: Cause Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Corporate Social Responsibility, Trends •
by admin
Smart business talk today revolves around meeting stakeholder interests. But it can be daunting for companies to do that. Whereas before they were primary liable to shareholders, they’re now pressed to satisfy consumer demands for products that are sustainable as well as affordable and durable; they’re expected to take the environment and the community and [...]
5 Comments