When you stand for something, you’re not supposed to please everyone. The misstep of trying to please everybody comes when we don’t stand for something, when we lack an internal drumbeat stronger than the chatter of the crowd. Most people know that the clothing company Patagonia* gives money to myriad environmental organizations. Fewer people know […]
Can Crowd-sourced Solution Campaigns Save The World?
Can crowd-sourced solution campaigns save the world? Yikes, I need a better name for the concept, but here’s what it means: an original body that sets up the framework and partnerships to drive a social solution. The betacup and WeCanEndThis.com are two campaigns I’ve been following. Each brings together corporate, nonprofit, media, technology and design partners […]
3 Tactics To Use Sustainability to Screw Your Competition
If you’re challenged by a boss, board or business partner who thinks sustainability is a luxury or a trend to revisit in three years, make the business case that doing environmental and social good means beating competitors. “It’s an imperative that your business start creating good, not just less harm,” says Seventh Generation co-founder Jeffrey […]
How Much Does a Business Need to Believe in Sustainability to Do It Well?
“If you’re pushing sustainability because you think it will enhance the company’s reputation, you’ll have a problem with authenticity, because they’ll be times when your reality doesn’t live up to your rhetoric. But if you’re into sustainability because you think it will drive innovation, then talking about it almost becomes irrelevant.” –Hannah Joes, Nike’s sustainability […]
Doing Good Isn’t Always Hard: How iStock Made An Easy Segueway Into Micro-donations
Get the Google Audio Widget widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Not seeing a widget? (More info) Click the player below to listen or right-click and save for the MP3. I spoke with iStockphoto to learn how it lobbied for and justified its new micro-donations platform to give customers and employees an easy […]
3 Things REI Should Do to Turn Its Social Programs Into a Social Mission
Dear REI, Your products are good, but you are missing a bit of edge. With you, I’m getting a durable jacket. With Patagonia, I’m getting a durable jacket and helping to save the planet. That’s how Patagonia makes me feel about their products. Pretty powerful, right? The thing is, you are doing good work […]
This Is What Customers Want to Know About Your Cause Marketing Partnership
It turns out customers are paying a lot of attention to the tizzy of cause marketing campaigns surrounding them. In fact, they are underwhelmed with information. Cone’s 2010 Nonprofit Marketing Trend Tracker shows yet another reason to report on your campaign or program results–because customers care. Astoundingly, not even half of consumers think companies and nonprofits […]
Air Miles for Volunteering: Oxymoronic? Cause-washing? Genius!
In my view American Express should get a handshake for its new initiative, but many think a slap on the wrist is more deserving. American Express is offering 500 points to members of its rewards program for every hour they volunteer. The program is capped at 10,000 points or 20 hours per year and volunteers must choose […]
Altruism May Be a Company’s Best Bet to Keep Customers Coming
If you give me an easy opportunity to do something good when I’m buying your product or even after I’ve taken it home, I’ll think better of you and I’ll likely share my positive feeling with the next person I come in contact with. I like to do good things. If your store gives me the […]
This St. Patrick’s Day, Be Good As Well as Green
Americans are renowned for needing little excuse to call it a holiday. But today, St. Patrick’s Day, is not a little excuse (says one-quarter of my blood, but two-thirds of my spirit). Admittedly this post is a bit cheeky, but no matter. I’m using today as an opportunity/excuse/reminder to do something good. I’ve decided to […]
I'm Olivia Khalili. I created Cause Capitalism to show you how to grow your business by incorporating a social mission. I've worked extensively with both nonprofits and for-profits. I found that when you combine the two, you grow your profits, impassion all your stakeholders and do good in the world. Read more. Email me.
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