Is this the green 'tipping point'?

Great 'blog entry shows a huge leap in the number of people searching for global warming. If you like this blog entry you can hugg it.

Retailers stampede for "green pound"

The Scotsman reports that retailers are rushing to capture the consumer's green pound. In the UK, New Consumer reports that Marks and Spencer ranks above other food retailers Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Asda and Morrisons according to the Ethical Index. But the supermarkets are investing a lot in trying to catch up. But, some supermarkets are sending confusing messages. While there corporate sites are declaring their green credentials, in store customers are incentivised with 2 for 1 offers. Could they be accused of encouraging over-consumption?

Strategic corporate social responsibility

Strategic corporate social responsibility takes the long term view reports AOL money and finance. I can't see how anyone could disagree and those companies who are acting now are investing in long term sustainability ofbusiness by limiting their exposure to rising energy costs, potential restrictions on energy use and wastage. They are also gearing up to meet a significant change in consumer demand

Bond Trust attracts £35 million in external assets

The London Stock Exchange reports that interest in ethical investments is growing. The report says that the Royal London Ethical Bond Trust has attracted £35 million in external assets so far. This confirm a growing trend as investors increasingly recognise the risk to businesses which are relying solely on unsustainable energy, or which may become subject to legislation or tax on emissions and wastage.

Doing good can pay off

Here's a piece that caught my eye at CSR wire, and this quote in particular made me wonder about the relationship between corporate responsibility and profit. "...Business Ethics magazine reports that companies on the S&P 500 stock index who make their annual 100 best corporate citizens list have higher sales and profits than those who don't". I should look into this before I make any assumptions, but I just wonder whether this is because more successful and profitable companies can afford corporate responsiblity programmes? They may not be profitable simply because they are 'good' corporate citizens.

In the Retail Bulletin, Helen Dickenson questions the motives of the major supermarkets in their quest to become greener.

BusinessWeek "beyond the green corporation"

This is a great article in BusinessWeek. One thing caught my eye in particular, a company that calculates the value of reputation damage. Going to have a closer look at this. "Few Wall Street analysts, for example, have tried to assess how much damage Wal-Mart's reputation for poor labor and environmental practices did to the stock price. But New York's Communications Consulting Worldwide (CCW), which studies issues such as reputation, puts it in stark dollars and cents. CCW calculates that if Wal-Mart had a reputation like that of rival Target Corp. (TGT ), its stock would be worth 8.4% more, adding $16 billion in market capitalization".

World's 100 most sustainable corporations

BusinessWeek has prepared a list of the world's 100 most sustainable corporations, to be presented at the Jan. 24-28, 2007 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

New study shows business has regained trust

A new study featured in the Financial Times suggests business is regaining public trust. However the study's publisher, Edelman PR, says that American brands have a problem in Europe. Presuming this means brands founded in America, but I thought some US brands have suffered negative associations for many years. I believe that Simon Anholt, author and expert on public diplomacy, considers that it is America that has the image problem, rather than US brands. Simon's Nation Brands Index publishes quarterly reports on nations public image.

Tesco unveils new environmental plans

Tesco announces latest plan to reduce the company's indirect environmental impact, reports the BBC.

M&S carbon neutral by 2012

Various newspapers, including The Independent, report on M&S's announcement that they will become carbon neutral by 2012. And one of The Guardian's blogs comments too.

Warren Buffett cautions loss of corporate reputation

Warren Buffett recently warned employees at his company Berkshire Hathaway that corporate reputation can be quickly damaged, but take many years to regain. "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently."

In a speech to managers on 27th September 2006, he said, ""Somebody is doing something today at Berkshire that you and I would be unhappy about if we knew of it. That's inevitable: we now employ well over 200,000 people and the chances of that number getting through the day without any bad behaviour occurring is nil. But we can have a huge effect in minimising such activities by jumping on anything immediately when there is the slightest odour of impropriety. Your attitude on such matters, expressed by behaviour as well as words, will be the most important factor in how the culture of your business develops. And culture, more than rule books, determines how an organisation behaves."

Mobile phone manufacturers to aim improve environmental impact

PC World reports that a number of manufacturers have joined forces to try to make mobile phones more environmentally friendly. A number of other organisations including the World Wildlife Fund and the Department of the Environment are involved in the scheme. This scheme is announced shortly after European set regulations determining the types of materials that can be used in electronic devices. Other countries, notably the US have introduced similar regulations.

CSR is part of modern brand management

An interesting piece in Brand Republic asserts that marketers should consider CSR as part of modern brand management.

Sainsbury's launch greener packaging

Tesco recently launched their environmental initiative to encourage shoppers to use fewer bags by offering green clubcard points. Now Sainsbury's have revealed their compostable packaging which will be introduced over coming months on own label products. It's going to be difficult for city dwellers without their own composting bin. Perhaps councils will step up re-cycling efforts to include this type of packaging?

Wal-mart in China

As Wal-mart opens its 62nd store in China, China CSR reports that the store is focussing on corporate responsibility. Meanwhile in its US homeland, this article reports that Wal-mart is launching ads to defend its reputation. Interestingly both articles major on the benefits of 'everyday low prices', employment Wal-mart provides and the amount of taxes the company pays.

Apple seeks CSR manager

Wired blogs note that Apple is seeking a manager for their Corporate Responsibility program.

M&S campaign recognised by analysts

Marks and Spencer's "Look behind the label" is being credited as one of its most successful ever advertising campaigns. The Independent publishes this piece describing Citibank's assessment of the campaign.

Ben and Jerry's Fairtrade ice-cream in UK

Unilever-owned Ben and Jerry's - the people who first brought us Chunky Monkey and Chubby Hubby - launch the UK's first Fairtrade ice-cream. Launched in 1978, sold to Unilever in 1999, the company has shown commitment to corporate responsibility. Their "Climate Change college" campaign was launched in 2005. The graduates of the programe (or 'ambassadors' as they are called) will help to lobby corporations and governments for greater action on climate change.

Dell and power of blogging

This Sunday Times article talks about the influence of blogging on corporate reputation. A commentator Mark Rogers of Market Sentinel points out that 75% of new car buyers search online before they buy - companies should beware if they don't like what they find. And I read here that 44% of internet users are content creators according to Pew. This is an important trend right now but I was thinking the other day that the ways consumers will share their impressions of companies with each other will change again once mobile computing and wireless services will mean people will be able to research and share experiences of products closer to the point of purchase.