Do Knockoffs Really Hurt Anyone?
Whether you’re purchasing purses, shoes, or leather goods from the trunk of a car or the back of a restaurant, you know when you’re buying a knockoff. Of course, you could be shopping at a place that claims to be selling the real deal, but when a Louis Vuitton handbag can be yours for $100, it’s a good bet that it’s fake. So what’s the problem? Why is the practice of selling knockoffs illegal? Is anyone really being hurt by it? Women who don’t have the money to spend on a label can still get a product that passes muster, and in all honesty, they probably wouldn’t be buying brand-name merchandise anyway, so it’s not like the labels are losing potential customers. So who’s getting hurt? In truth, everyone. Read more
CSR Gives Businesses a Competitive Edge
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a relatively new concept in the business world, and while many see it as nothing more than a burden of pandering to a sympathetic public, some have utilized targeted efforts on behalf of social causes as a way to take advantage of what is just one more tool in their arsenal, in order to gain an edge over their competition. And CSR efforts can not only increase public awareness of (and interest in) a brand, they can also attract a better class of employee, one that takes the ethical business concerns of employment just as much to heart as they would the purchase of an eco-friendly automobile or a product where child labor might play a role. In short, embracing an attitude of social responsibility could truly change the face of your business for the better. Read more
Fair-Trade Coffee Sets an Example for Other Industries
You might not think that a mega-corporation like Starbucks could be the pinnacle of corporate responsibility. And a few short years ago you would have been right. But after the coffee industry came under attack for practices that were clearly exploitative to native farmers in countries that were providing the beans for these booming coffee houses, Starbucks decided to do their part to clean up the coffee industry (not to mention improve their public image). Studies conducted back in 2008 showed that Starbucks was rated by consumers as being one of the least ethical corporate entities (barely better than companies like McDonald’s and KFC). In fact, they received less than 50 points out of a possible 100 in a survey conducted for The Times. Luckily, this spurred them to jump on the bandwagon of fair trade and drastically change the operation of their industry.
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Promoting Health in the Office
Although most companies are compelled to provide health-care coverage options for their employees (and pay a large percentage of the cost), many fail to realize how much they stand to save by attacking the root of the issue and promoting good health for their workers. Many adults are considered high risk because of certain factors like smoking, bad eating habits, lack of exercise (leading to a high body mass index), high stress (leading to hypertension, ulcers, and other diseases and conditions), and of course, medical history and genetics. While employers have no control over the last two, they can certainly encourage their workers to improve the aspects of their health that are subject to personal lifestyle choices. And you may be surprised at the results. Read more
Carpool Rewards: Good for Businesses, Employees, and the Environment
The form of air pollution known as smog is a familiar sight to most city-dwellers around the globe. The sickly, brown cloud of smoke that hangs over urban areas has become ubiquitous with most large city skylines. And while some places have chosen to institute smog regulations (cars with safeguards like catalytic converters that cut down on the emission of hydrocarbons), the sheer magnitude of drivers makes it nearly impossible to stop the spread of these harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By providing employees with incentives to carpool, businesses have the opportunity to do a world of good (literally). Not only can a business benefit from the improved image of their brand, they can also give employees a little something extra for participation in such a program, as well as do their part to protect the environment. Read more
Coca-Cola: A leader in sustainability, not just market shares
Coca-cola by Deusx Florida
With the intense focus upon global warming and the deterioration of the environment, consumers are developing environmental consciences. Once, consumers only used to care about what benefits they personally would derive from a product– it this product a worthwhile purchase for me? Now, consumers are interested in the before and after as well – how was this product made? What happens to this product once I throw it out?
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Kyoto Protocol Still Going Strong
It’s been more than thirteen years since the monumental Kyoto Protocol was agreed upon as a way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission worldwide (it was adopted in December of 1997). The Protocol was enacted as a result of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the purpose of which was to discuss the looming threat of GHG emissions, resulting from nearly 150 years of unfettered industrialization. Of course, the convention did little to actually address the issue, and so the Kyoto Protocol proffered a commitment from the attendant nations to meet targets for reduced GHGs (with developed nations taking on a greater responsibility). Today, the Protocol has not been forgotten, nor have the promises to make a change for a cleaner environment. To date, 191 states and nations have signed and ratified the agreement. Read more