CSR

by: Joel Makower

by: David Wigder

In a recent Harvard Business Review article, “Strategy & Society” (Dec, 2006), Michael Porter and Mark Kramer present a strategic framework for linking strategy with corporate social responsibility (CSR). 

by: Jennifer Rice

Like heroic individuals, Heroic Brands are motivated by something bigger than themselves. They believe it just might be possible to change the world. Heros are usually ordinary people who end up doing extraordinary things; likewise, heroic brands might sell t-shirts or software or skin care, but they do it with the awareness and intention to make a much wider positive impact.

by: Jennifer Rice

I've been thinking about brands that are making a difference in our lives and society, and I used the term "worthwhile brand" to define them. However, I don't think that term sets the bar high enough; as one reader commented, there are plenty of brands that are "worth" my time and effort.

by: Joel Makower

by: Jennifer Rice

I'd like to elaborate on this morning's post on Worthwhile brands, ask a lot of questions, and then open this up for discussion.

by: Jennifer Rice

In the next few posts I'm going to play around with the idea of a worthwhile brand. I like this term because a) it's not overused, b) it implies important, valuable and rewarding.

Along these lines, the manager of a worthwhile brand would answer "yes" to at least one of the following questions:

Will this product/service/company...
- measurably improve quality of life?
- make the world a better place?
- leave no trace on the Earth?

by: Joel Makower

A new report that rates providers of retail carbon offsets is out today, and even the anticipation of its publication has caused a flurry of anxiety among some of the 30 companies it reviewed.

by: Joel Makower

It's long been axiomatic that energy efficiency is the awkward stepchild of renewables -- that is, that it's sexier to install cutting-edge renewable-energy technologies like solar panels than to engage in more prosaic (and less-visible) measures to get more value out of each BTU or barrel.

by: Joel Makower

It's long been axiomatic that energy efficiency is the awkward stepchild of renewables -- that is, that it's sexier to install cutting-edge renewable-energy technologies like solar panels than to engage in more prosaic (and less-visible) measures to get more value out of each BTU or barrel.