From the day you put finger to keyboard to type up your business plan, think green. It will save you trouble in the long run and money from the get-go. That’s good business, whether you’re big or small, experienced or a start-up.

It’s Valentine’s Day: Are Your Condoms Socially Responsible?

by Geri Stengel on Feb 8, 2011 - 12:14am

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Better sex for a better world: Now there’s a Valentine’s Day sentiment we can all support. The more you indulge, the better the world seems … and actually is, thanks to “Love Begins With L.”

Speaking Up Can Bring Change

by Geri Stengel on Jul 15, 2010 - 10:35am

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Nothing illustrates the difference between the 20th and 21st century business model more than the two stories about Walmart, side by side, in the New York Times June 4.

Social Entrepreneur Combines Business With Vision

by Geri Stengel on Jun 24, 2010 - 10:22am

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Exciting times! Creative, practical, inspiring ideas to help the environment are cropping up all over. Start-up social enterprises, aka small businesses, are, as always, leading the way.

Enterprising small business owners are reducing carbon emissions and cleaning up the world by taking risks, thinking outside the box, and pulling big organizations along after them.

Palestinian Entrepreneur Exemplifies Adage That Social Responsibility is Good for Business

by Geri Stengel on Jun 1, 2010 - 6:00am

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"Social impact is our entrepreneurship goal and this is also serving us from a business standpoint."

Need I say more? That's a nice definition of social enterprise.

The statement above is from Nasser Abufarha, 46, founder of several social enterprises that serve both the farmers of Palestine and those who want to support organic and fair-trade enterprises. In fact, as indicated in the statement above, the growing demand for fair-trade and organic products is part of his business plan.

Bottom Billion is Major Market for Entrepreneurs Who Get It

by Geri Stengel on Apr 15, 2010 - 2:00am

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If you wanted to design a product for the Indian market, where would you begin? Do you even know what products are needed? Do you know how to give your product value in the multi-faceted culture of the sub-continent? Do you know how much of that market has electricity, running water, or other infrastructure that might be needed in order to use your product?

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Going Green Incentives Can Minimize Cost of Rehabs, Upgrades

by Geri Stengel on Apr 6, 2010 - 10:15am

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A "new" form of accounting can help nonprofits, small businesses, and the environment. No, I'm not talking about cookin' the books. I'm talking about getting all the breaks you are eligible for when "going green."

"It's not all new age theory; there are real, true bottom-line benefits to going green in whatever shape or form you can manage," says Susan Lanfray, marketing director at ERE Accountants and Advisors.

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Competency Doesn't Mean Heartlessness: Businesses Can Be Profitable and Compassionate

by Geri Stengel on Mar 11, 2010 - 11:45am

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I've said my piece about the competency of nonprofits – they are competent! – but now I have to speak up for businesses – they can be trustworthy, compassionate, and ethical.

That is not the perception of businesses in the survey recently published by Stanford University. The study indicated that nonprofits are viewed as trustworthy and incompetent. It found that corporations are viewed as competent but not trustworthy or "moral."

When Less Is More: A Guilt-Free Gift for Valentine's Day

by Geri Stengel on Feb 9, 2010 - 11:45am

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Candy Without the Guilt
Are you searching for something sweet to give your sweetie? Give a treat that's as diet-friendly and socially responsible as it is tasty. Huh, you say! When did Vistas start pushing products? Bear with me while I explain.

The Definition of Social Responsibility Needs to Encompass Both Our Business and Personal Side

by Geri Stengel on Jan 3, 2010 - 5:21pm

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The general term "social responsibility" is defined as the obligation corporations, organizations, and individuals have to society.

These days, the definition of social responsibility seems to include everything from personal health choices so you don't add to the country's health care burden to providing health care benefits to employees.

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