Columbia Corporate Strategy Retreat 03.14.12

Editor's Notes

• #2: Title Screen.\n
• #3: Who.\n
• #4: Scotties Tissues. Not only are they softer than ever, but for every tree they use, they plant 3. Wow! That’s fantastic!\n
• #5: In fact, they are the only tissue brand that is associated with the “Renewable Forest Project.” That is impressive. You may switch to Scotties, right? Well, with very little research, here’s what I learned: \nFirst it turns out that Irving Tissues (the parent company of Scotties) owns the forests and timber that is used for Scotties So, they are trying to get “cause” credit for planting trees on their own land - which they would do anyway so they can sell toilet paper for years to come.   \nSecond - they are the creators and managers of the Renewables Forest Project! Talk about the fox guarding the henhouse. Not the third party credibility you expected..... \n
• #6: Who has seen this viral video? What makes this different from Scotties?\nChipotle has been serving locally, organic produce in its restaurants since 2008. It is a choice they made about what kind of business they want to be. They are saying that they will use over 10mm pounds of fruits and vegetables of fruits and vegetables grown within 350 of the restaurant where it will be served. Up from 5mm lbs in 2010. \nClear goals and tracking. \nOver the last two years, they have donated more that $2mm to philanthropic organizations that support a better, healthier food system including FamilyFarmed, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, the Nature Conservatory.\n
• #7: Method - one of my favorite brands. They not only designed a cleaning product bottle that you don’t need to hide but they created cleaning products based on a clear philosophy of what will and will not go in the bottle. \nNike is one of the leaders in sustainability, but it didn’t start out that way. This all started because in the 90s, Nike got busted for child labor issues. But, they took it to heart and developed clear standards. Those standards gave way to metrics and transparency. Now they are a leader. Plus, they are trying to build a more sustainable shoe using open innovation networks.\nInterface Flor - they have a Mission Zero where they are striving to eliminate all negative impacts of their business on the environment by 2020. They are going for zero emissions zero waste zero oil. Impressive.\nRickshaw - they make cool bags. They made my bag (the flap is made from recycled bottles). They are individually hand made in San Francisco with a desire to minimize waste. They support cycling and social causes. \n
• #8: Similarities: \nClimate Ride/Cycle, assload of pro bono, public advocates for new capitalism, bringing people into the organization, etc.\n\nDifferences: \nOffice space, employees vs. contractors, community of one vs. community of many, etc.\nOther B Corps and why it matters\n\n
• #9: Similarities: \nClimate Ride/Cycle, assload of pro bono, public advocates for new capitalism, bringing people into the organization, etc.\n\nDifferences: \nOffice space, employees vs. contractors, community of one vs. community of many, etc.\nOther B Corps and why it matters\n\n
• #10: In addition to doing a lot of pro-bono work, CompassX Strategy gives a best friend discount to non-profits and sustainable start-up. I choose my vendors carefully - my website is hosted on a a server powered by wind among other things. And, when we do corporate work, we give two percent of the fees - not the profits- to charity. And, the client chooses where the money goes. \n
• #11: Who.\n
• #12: ICIRR\n
• #13: Nearly $18,000.00 raised for 30 different environmental orgs from two Climate Ride teams\n
• #14: Worms.\n
• #15: Who knows what a B Corporation is?\n\nB Lab drives systemic change through three interrelated initiatives: \nBuilding a community of Certified B Corporations to make it easier for all of us to tell the difference between “good companies” and just good marketing \n\nAccelerating the growth of the impact investing asset class through use of B Lab’s GIIRS Ratings & Analytics by institutional investors\n\nPromoting legislation creating a new corporate form that meets higher standards of purpose, accountability and transparency.\n
• #16: 517 B Corporations $2.9 Billion in Revenues 60 Industries $2 million in Annual Savings\n
• #17: B Corp = Certified B Corps\nOther Sustainable Businesses = businesses that voluntary took the assessment but did not certify\nOther businesses - data available on US small businesses\n
• #18: \n\nCity-specific Incentives for Sustainable Business: \nPhiladelphia has become the first city in the nation to provide a pilot tax incentive for certified sustainable businesses, Conversations have begun in Portland, Oregon and Washington D.C. and with several federal agencies.\n
• #19: \n
• #20: \nLegislation was introduced into the Illinois house and senate several weeks ago. This legislation gives added protection to companies and investors beyond what certification can do. \nBasically says that business owners can take a triple bottom line approach to business. That shareholders do not win every time. \nIt has passed the Judiciary committees in both houses and now needs support.\n
• #21: where you work\nwhat you buy: Goodguide app\nask questions!\nstay relevant to who you are when being socially responsible: culture marketing vs. cause marketing\nwhere do you draw the line? (kinds of clients)\nenvironmental culture of ‘smug’\nstudy culture and see how coworkers interact: \n\n
• #22: \nResources: Goodguide, BCorp, Good mag, Fast Company Coexist, \nBooks: \n The Necessary Revolution by Peter Senge\n We First by Simon Mainwaring\n Strategy for Sustainability by Adam Werbach\n Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough\n Firms of Endearment by Sisodia, Wolfe and Sheth\n Small Giants by Bo Burlingham\n\n
• #23: \nResources: Goodguide, BCorp, Good mag, Fast Company Coexist, \n\n \n\n
• #24: Thanks y’all!\n\n