I think they got it! Two items this week give me confidence that there’s been a sea change in corporate thinking: The planet and the customer now count. It’s a business model that small businesses can profit from as well.

Back in ‘05 or so, Walmart got on the green bandwagon, designing greener packaging, cleaning up its supply chain, and generally opting for sustainability. It did not do this to help the environment; it wanted to improve its bottom line. And it succeeded.

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

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

Motivated by Purpose Profile: Company Small Business social enterprise Social Entrepreneurship Social Responsibility socially responsible triple bottom line Women Entrepreneurship

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.”

SoCap Encourages Private/Public Partnerships and New Ways to Measure Social Return on Investment

by Geri Stengel on Oct 12, 2010 - 9:40am

Impact Investing impact investment nonprofit private/public partnerships SoCAP social enterprise triple bottom line

"Redefine capitalism" and "connected capitalism:" phrases denoting both evolution and revolution in the way investors view social enterprise. Those are terms used at the Social Capital Markets Conference last weekend in San Francisco.

The good news is that the evolution has begun and, with the focus on the disasters wrought by "business as usual" capitalism, it may be possible to make some revolutionary changes in the way the value of business is measure.

Challenge: Use Good Business Practices Without Losing Social Purpose

by Geri Stengel on Apr 29, 2010 - 10:40am

Bunker Roy business practices Matthew Bishop McKinsey & Company measure outcomes measurement micro finance social enterprise social entrepreneurs Social Entrepreneurship triple bottom line

As the saying goes, "assume" makes an ass of you and me.

In a recent "debate" posted on the McKinsey & Company website, I think some asinine assumptions were made by both sides.

Small Business Networks Help Each Other and Their Communities

by Geri Stengel on Feb 23, 2010 - 9:00am

BALLE Best Practice Motivated by Purpose Small Business small business network small business online community small business support social entrepreneurs triple bottom line

The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) is a great example of what you, through survey responses, and I have been saying for a long time: Peer support is a valuable asset to small business owners and social entrepreneurs.

Harsh Advice Raises Hackles: Being a Bully Isn't Good for Business

by Geri Stengel on Feb 16, 2010 - 11:45am

Commentary / Opinion double bottom line Nonprofit small business Small Business Social Entrepreneurship Social Responsibility triple bottom line

Fire your relatives? Scare your employees? Stop whining?

Well, your relative may not be the best person for the job so you might look at that, but much of the advice spouted by George Cloutier in the February 10 New York Times article certainly doesn't mesh with good business or good sense.

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