Can’t Eco and Socially Just Gifts Cost Less?

On September 27, Sami Grover wrote about Elegant Roots on Treehugger.com.  Sami’s headline is “Elegant Roots: Green Doesn’t (Always) Come Cheap“.

Apparently, having been burned repeatedly by criticism of the “pricey-ness” of some green products, Sami felt compelled to an anticipatory rant in response using, as her subject, our $69 handmade, organic stuffed Penguin.

Sami concludes: “It seems to me that if someone is going to spend $60 on toys, then buying one or two well-made, safe and sustainable items beats filling up the toy chest with lead paint and plastic crap. (Not to mention there are plenty of ‘luxury’ toys out there that don’t carry such green credentials…)”

We, at ElegantRoots.com, agree wholeheartedly and appreciate greatly Sami’s endorsement. And we agree emphatically that people should Buy Less But Buy Better. As she suggests, there may be some “green” alternatives in a lower price range. But there are other issues at play here.

Social Justice and soulfulness. We offer things that are handmade — touched by the hand and spirit of the artisan. No machine-turned-out toy can match the feel. And, unlike the Wal-Mart ilk, ElegantRoots.com does not squeeze price concessions from the artisans. A fair price for a handmade item is what we’re all about. If a handmade, organic stuffed animal were to sell for half the price, who would bite it on that transaction? The artisan.

I guarantee a “similar” toy can be made in a sweatshop factory in China for a lower price. And who bites it on that transaction. The sweatshop indentured servant.

ElegantRoots.com exists to help create and sustain a market for artisan products that use traditional skills to create marketable designs (Penguins are not a traditional subject in Kenya). If there is no market for these products, traditional skills become economically nonviable. Traditional lifestyles are lost as people are forced to overcrowded cities to join the ranks of the displaced, dependent on sweatshops.

So, when people complain about the prices, what do they really want? Do they want social enterprises like ElegantRoots.com not to exist? Do they want the artisans in developing economies to get squeezed to the bone on prices in order to try to compete with sweatshops? Do they want only “cheap” plastic stuff that winds up in the dump?

Bottom line, you get what you pay for. If you want a product created by hand by some one person with pride and care, working in a joyful community of women receiving fair trade prices, a Penguin from the Critter Knitters of rural Kenya is the perfect choice.

The same applies within the borders of the US. If you want a limited edition Kimochi “emotions” doll made by hand in the US by a noted doll artist, Cody Thompson, shop at ElegantRoots.com.

You’ll be glad you did. So will the artisan somewhere (and we tell you where) who, because a market exists, can pursue his/her art and be independent.

And it all comes wrapped in our nonpareil, signature, and COMPLIMENTARY, eco-conscious gift wrap.

Later.

via 3blmedia.com

How to Leverage Citizenship to Improve Your Reputation

Canadian Business Blogs

by Paul Klein

My last post included highlights of the 2009 State of Corporate Citizenship in the United States. One of the findings that struck me as being remarkable was that 70% of corporation cited reputation as a key driver for corporate citizenship.

I agree that reputation should be a key driver of corporate citizenship and that CSR can have a very positive impact on how corporations are seen in the minds of employees and external stakeholders. However, in spite the findings in the report, I don’t think that many corporations are actually known for what they do in this area. (There’s also an irony here because there’s now much more emphasis on communicating CSR-related initiatives.) And, if stakeholders aren’t of what corporations do to be good corporate citizens, the impact of these activities on reputation must not be significant.

Yesterday, I met with a large Canadian corporation that has a long history of corporate citizenship and for whom this area is very important at a cultural level. They also communicate what they do in this area in a way that is both conspicuous and appropriate.  However, their reputation has been suffering – perhaps due to the recession’s impact on many public companies (see Edelman Trust Barometer).

What’s the best way to improve your company’s reputation by leveraging it’s commitment to being a good corporate citizen? Here are three ideas:

1. Start Inside: Employees are the best citizenship ambassadors and very often they aren’t familiar enough with or engaged in what their own companies are doing.

2. Operationalize: Develop products or services that reflect your company’s CSR strategy.

3. Leverage Partners: Communicate with and through non-profit partners. This adds credibility and creates interest among people who might not otherwise pay attention.

These approaches work best when they’re integrated. For example, while it’s clear that Starbucks’ commitment to CSR is reflected in its selection of fair trade coffee, it isn’t clear who it’s non-profit partners are or in what ways its employees are involved. Would the company’s reputation be positively influenced if more people knew about these these things? I think so.

More on this topic tomorrow. (Also, as always examples of best practices and of others that need to be impr0ved).

via blog.canadianbusiness.com

Positive Influences Abound for Influenial Hispanics

The October 100 Influentials issue offers once again, as it has for the past 27 years, an admirable array of interesting and talented people. They come from all regions of the country and from a variety of national origins. They share some basic things in common: they view themselves ethnically as U.S. Hispanics and they’re all achievers. There are differences among them of course. Yet the dynamic between differences and similarities is creative, adding to the diversity of the group. Besides their Hispanic ethnicity, the reality is that all of them have excelled in the field of education and hold the experience of learning dearly. They’re all highly educated individuals driven by a very strong achievers’ and leadership gene. They’re bright, articulate and, one assumes, empowered with excellent people skills, which after all transform into a critical asset in the game of life. Because they’re American Hispanics differentiated by generational status, they’re not quite the same as all other Hispanics on the globe. Th e American experience makes them different, yet they can most certainly reach out to others far away whether they’re Hispanic or not and communicate and relate with, one would think, excellent results. They are people who understand the culture of influence. In the many years we have been producing this story for our readers – some 27 years having launched the story in 1983 – we have seen it become, at least for some, a badge of recognition. What gives the list such a shine comes from the fact it is the product of a major research endeavor and the list goes through many iterations and filters. Especially exciting every year is the community of excellence and achievement, which emerges as the data is pushed and pulled. Slowly the community of influentials emerges. Ultimately the list is a remarkable portrait from our vantage point of new, emerging American leadership. This year’s 100 Influentials story comes to you, our readers, with a special focus on Washington, D.C. Th e special emphasis points to the growing influence of U.S. Hispanics in the nation’s capital. Th at influence extended for the fi rst time this year to the Supreme Court. But Hispanic influence on Capitol Hill continues to grow, as it has on President Obama’s cabinet. With this issue we also spread, for the first time, the 100-story presentation among print and online platforms. One-half of the 100 Influentials story appears in the magazine, the full l00 appear on HispanicBusiness.com as well as in the magazine’s digital edition. Readers are able to appreciate the more static, informational and branding presentation in print and contrast it with the more graphically active, fully charged, hyperlinked presentation in digital. We encourage readers’ comments; we want to receive a quick online note from you as to whether you approve or not the way we have for the first time presented this iconic story. Source: HispanicBusiness.com (c) 2009. All rights reserved. via hispanicbusiness.com

Watch the season finale of PCI Media drama “Magic Touch.” – Gender Equity through Entertainment Education

The final episode of the popular Ecuadorian soap opera, ”Toque Mágico” (Magic Touch) will be released Wednesday, September 30, on PCI-Media Impact’s YouTube Channel.  PCI-Media Impact, co-producer of “Magic Touch,” is a not-for-profit organization that uses Entertainment Education to support social change movements in developing countries.

“Magic Touch” was first broadcast in 2008 in partnership with Colectivo Pro Derechos Humanos, a community organization specializing in human rights in Ecuador. The show educates youth by promoting gender equity, elimination of discrimination and the prevention of violence against women. In June of this year, PCI-Media Impact began the global re-broadcast this popular series, via the internet.

Tune in to PCI Media Impact’s YouTube channel on September 30 as the season comes to an end.  To catch any episodes you might have missed or watch the entire season from the beginning, visit <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/pcimediaimpact.

http://www.youtube.com/user/pcimediaimpact.</p>

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How nonprofits can get into the script of Hollywood’s big new campaign about volunteering

With the Obamas volunteering on MLK Day, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game video with five living Presidents, United We Serve, and the first-ever 9/11 Day of Service, it’s already been an historic year of promotions about making a difference.

But the exciting dénouement comes next month, with the Entertainment Industry Foundation arranging for 60 TV shows to work service into their scripts.

Here’s an easy way for America’s nonprofit organizations to participate.

Click here to read more…

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Nike at CGI: Helping Girls and Women Achieve their Potential and Change the World

I have admired Maria Eitel since I met and interviewed her at last year‘s CGI. Talking with her again this year reminded me why. Imagine that just a few years ago, she was asked to create a purpose and a plan for the Nike Foundation. What she presented to the Nike Board of Directors was The Girl Effect– the idea that when you invest in girls, you change the world. Eitel explains: “A girl is the mother of every child who is born into poverty, and a girl will determine the future of the next generation. The Girl Effect: you don’t just transform her life, but the family’s, the community’s, the nation’s.”

As you saw in my Genzyme and Goldman Sachs posts from CGI, and previous posts on firms like Clifford Chance, these are the innovators that identify needs and opportunities. They also consider the resources they can offer to make a meaningful contribution, and build a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy that’s aligned with the corporate mission. They envision the greater potential for the community and the world, and how their company can help make it possible in a way that makes sense for the business.

For continuation, go to http://3bl.me/4qqz4p

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Genzyme at CGI: Global Problem-Solving Gives You a Competitive Advantage

If your corporate social responsibility (CSR) program is ancillary to your corporate strategy, it’s on the chopping block–or already in the waste bin. This is especially true in today’s economy. On the flip side, you have a chance to gain a competitive advantage by creating a unique approach to making the world a better place.

Say the CEO or the board asks why the company is spending money on a particular CSR program. You need to have an answer ready, but you should also see it as an opportunity to make the case for a sustainable, strategically integrated CSR program.

Twenty years ago and earlier, with rare exceptions, the only corporate charity was a bit of gifting by the CEO, perhaps to the arts. Ten years ago, corporate philanthropy and volunteerism became popular as an a la carte add on. In these posts from the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), I’m turning the spotlight on the avant garde of CSR: companies that make community and global problem-solving part of their business platform, thus making “doing good” sustainable.

Genzyme, one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, is a good example.

For continuation, go to http://3bl.me/85c445

3blmedia.com

Research Points to Need for Sustainability and Innovation in Jewelry Sector

The jewelry sector is a $76 billion industry in the United States alone. Historically luxury goods have fared better in tough economic times than the economy as a whole. However, in the current economy, the old rules no longer apply.

Like the luxury goods market as a whole, the jewelry sector too has been hit hard by the recession. Many well-established retailers, such as Shane Co. and Finlay Enterprises, have been forced to file for bankruptcy protection. Shane Co., famous for its radio commercials in the Western U.S., owes more than $26 million to its top 20 creditors. Finlay, which operates 182 locations and is no newcomer to the business, having started in 1887, saw a first quarter loss of nearly $30 million despite sales growth of 12 percent.

The jewelry sector has existed with little change or innovation for more than a century. Even the décor of jewelry stores has hardly evolved with the times. Most still look like stale law offices, which are staffed by condescending people completely out of touch with today’s fashion. Indeed the sector prides itself on its long history of functioning in exactly the same way.

Two trends in consumer behavior that could possibly relieve much of the industry’s stress are being largely ignored by traditional jewelry retailers. The first trend points to better online options and the second to greater accountability and responsibility.

One of the primary contributors to the cash flow issues felt by many jewelry retailers is their inventory costs. Stores often hold millions of dollars of inventory, which forces them into a state of sales desperation. Much of that inventory is tied up in diamonds, which are not selling as well or at the price they once were.

Online shopping offers the opportunity for greater product selection while maintaining very low overhead costs. Additionally, online offers an unlimited consumer base. In the past two years, the percentage of the world’s population that has made a purchase over the Internet has increased by approximately 40%. Online U.S. sales in 2006 amounted to $146.4 billion and of that more than 40% was for clothing and accessories.

The younger generation has demonstrated a comfort in shopping online. The internet provides a private shopping experience, especially for larger ticket items, that consumers increasingly appreciate. While brick and mortar retailers still generate the highest percentage of jewelry sales, the internet is quickly gaining market share.

Luxury and Social Responsibility

It is no secret that the diamond industry has a long history of devastating social and environmental consequences. Despite the industry’s culture of secrecy, the Internet has provided consumers access to information creating a growing trend away from diamonds and toward greater accountability and responsibility.

Today’s consumers recognize jewelry is meant to represent ones emotions and commitments. As such, consumers are increasingly seeking out brands and products, including jewelry, that allow them to share positive stories reflecting their own values.

The Luxury Institute says that the number of wealthy consumers preferring socially responsible brands increased by 12 percent between 2006 and 2007. François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of PPR, ­home to luxury brands such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Alexander McQueen ­ said recently that, “The luxury business does not escape the logic that human beings and the planet should be protected together. On the contrary, it should play an important part in achieving that goal, as a leader.”

The consulting firm BBMG’s latest consumer report released in 2009 found that nearly seven in ten Americans agree that “even in tough economic times, it is important to purchase products with social and environmental benefits.” Half of those surveyed said they are still willing to pay more for sustainable products.

Jewelry permeates almost every culture the world over. It is a repository of culture and art. The sector certainly isn’t in any danger of extinction, but it is those retailers who can adapt to trends in consciousness and buying behavior who are more likely to thrive as the economy improves.

Meghan Connolly Haupt, a frequent contributor to fairjewelry.org, is the founder and principal of C5 sustainable fine jewelry, offering custom design services and ready-to-wear pieces that you can feel good about. C5 jewelry is responsibly made in the United States from recycled precious metals and ethically sourced gems (both fair-trade and lab-created).

via fairjewelry.org

CSR Minute: September 30, 2009 – Newmont Mining + Dow Jones Sustainability Index; Greenergy 2030′s Business Alliance; China CSR Rankings

Corporate Social Responsible News: Newmont Mining + Dow Jones Sustainability Index; Greenergy 2030′s Business Alliance; China CSR Research Center’s Rankings

Good Business International, Inc. Joins the United Nations Global Compact

Good Business International, Inc., otherwise known as GoodB, has officially joined the ranks of the United Nations Global Compact. The UN Global Compact was formed in 2000 by former UN Secretary General Kofi Anan to join civil society, the business community, and the United Nations initiatives together for more effective action.

The United Nations is dedicated not only to world harmony, but has a strong mission under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – which the United Nations was founded upon – to champion human rights the world over.  The Global Compact has determined Ten Universal Principles that its programs are founded upon. Initiatives of the UN Global Compact include eliminating enslaved labor and child labor. The Compact endeavors to establish anti-corruption laws throughout the global community and to safeguard those who voices are often lost among the loud call for profit-at-any-cost.

The United Nations Global Compact is dedicated to establishing and developing fair labor and corruption-free business practices throughout the world, echoing the mission of Good Business International, Inc. GoodB is proud and honored to be part of that mission and to support the Ten Universal Principles of the United Nations Global Compact.

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