A Responsible Way

BE MORE

Friends,

I have started a new blog called BE MORE.  The purpose of the new blog is to share insights and inspiration to empower people, companies, communities and organizations to do and BE MORE. 

Thank you for visiting A Responsible Way.  I hope you will visit the new blog soon!

Be well,

Tracey--

Consumers Still Seeking More Support for Causes from Corporations

Cone, LLC just released a new study on cause marketing.  Their findings suggest that consumers are still looking to companies to support the causes and issues that are relevant to them.  In fact, 83% expect companies to provide more ways in which they can participate through products, services, and volunteering.  This especially true for Moms and Millennials.

Check out the video below featuring Alison DaSilva with Cone.  I recently met with Alison at the Cause Marketing Forum and always enjoy learning more from her and her company.  Cone, Barkley and GoodCo Marketing are just a few agencies that offer great resources on the subject of cause, corporate responsibility and community involvement.

What do you think?  Does cause marketing still have a place in today's corporate strategy?  I certainly believe so.

 

Beginning an Employee Community Engagement Program

I just discovered this great video fromChris Jarvis of 3BL Media.  I admire Chris and his network of companies for promoting ways in which individuals, corporations, employees and communities can participate in efforts to improve society.

 

 

This video clip discusses employee engagement programs and references the book Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.  Through storytelling, you have an opportunity to promote your good works by integrating content that's relevant and meaningful to others.  A story that speaks to them, and encourages them to take action.  Chris also mentions using social media as a platform to spark dialog, build trust and engage employees to rally behind a cause issue that is important to them. 

Check it out.  Let me know what employee engagement programs you offer and how your most important asset - employees - can help make a difference.

When Personal Passions Turn Destructive

A man known for protesting the Discovery Channel's environmental programming took hostages today at the corporate office in Silver Spring, MD and eventually lost his life.  Luckily, all of the hostages were freed, unharmed.

James Jay Lee has protested about Discovery before and recently distributed a notice about his intent to further protest.  At what point do personal passions become so obsessive that they turn destructive?

For years, organizations such as PETA have turned advocacy into an extreme endeavor. At what point is advocacy harmful?

I believe that people with different perspectives should have their voices heard.  Care2 is a favorite website of mine and they do a marvelous job of promoting advocacy among its online community in a way that's civil, courteous and informative.  I'm hopeful that people will continue to advocate for issues and causes that are important to them without being destructive to others.

Pepsi Refresh Project to Emphasize Gulf Efforts

An update to my previous post on May 25, the Pepsi Refresh Project is now providing $1.3 million to organizations helping with efforts in the Gulf.  Good for them!   Be sure to vote - often.

Refresh Everything

Has it really been three months since I've blogged?  Bad me. 

To make up for it, I've done some good this week.  I helped a few local non-profit organizations through Pepsi's acclaimed cause branding campaign, Pepsi Refresh Project. 

It's a simple campaign really and anyone can get involved.  Non-profits register grant requests on the Web site and consumers vote for their favorite projects.  Projects with the most votes are awarded grants.  It's a lot like SONIC's Limeades for Learning program, but I'll comment on that initiative in another post.

Categories of grant requests include Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education.  I voted for two projects:  The Empty Box Collaboration, who aims to reduce landfill use by making recycling easier for consumers and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Schenectady, N.Y. who is looking to build an outdoor recreation facility.

There are thousands of excellent community organization who need funding to continue their good works.  Pepsi has done an outstanding job of making it easy for consumers to be more involved and help make a difference.  Vote today!

Goodness 3.0

Check out this new video from Benevity.org- it's a terrific way to summarize the world of cause, social responsibility and doing good - and it's inspirational to watch!  It reminds us to ask:  what good can I do today?

 

Coke's Green Olympics

Coca Cola is a

worldwide sponsor of the upcoming Olympic Games.  This year, the are going green and have pledged Zero waste and a Zero carbon footprint at the Winter Games.  As the makers of Coke Zero, that's a clever way to emphasize a brand!

For the Olympics, Coke will be selling beverages in their PlantBottle, a renewable and recyclable bottle that contains up to 30% plant-based materials.  In addition, Coke plans to deliver beverages using hybrid vehicles and electric cars, and storing beverages in coolers that turn off at night to save energy.  Eventually, the bottles will be made into recycled hats, vests and gloves and will be donated to a homeless shelter after the Games.

In addition to greener products, Coke is sponsoring an Environmental Torch Bearer program in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund Canada and David Suzuki Foundation.  The program encourages Canadian residents to do more to live a sustainable lifestyle. 

This is pretty cool.  What's even more amazing is Coke's CEO, Muhtar Kent, has stated that he is so into sustainability that he effectively is the company's chief sustainability officer.  This is especially important as companies need the support from management to move sustainability initiatives forward.

Glad to know Coke's continuing their promise to eventually limit its waste to net Zero.

Everybody Hurts for Haiti Relief - Radio 1 Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of the reprise of REM's song, Everybody Hurts with numerous artists including Rod Stewart, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Kylie Minogue, Jon Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Susan Boyle and others.  It's been viewed over 173,000 times on YouTube already! Charity version available February 7th.  Give.

I love REM.  Glad they've donated this song to the relief efforts.  Enjoy!

 

 

Ten Great Ways to be Socially Responsible - Part Four

It's hard to imagine water being a precious commodity.  Like the air we breathe, it's assumed there will be sufficient sources to sustain life on this planet.

Reducing water use is simple and effective.  The following are a few recommendations for you and your family to conserve water*:

1.  Turn the water off when brushing your teeth

2.  Run your clothes and dishwasher only when full - you can save 1,000 gallons of water a month!

3.  Water your lawn and garden in the morning - remember to adjust your sprinklers to target key areas that need water

4.  Instead of watering your driveway to clean it, dust off the old broom and give it a go

5.  Ensure you are using energy efficient appliances, including your shower head - I promise you won't look like Jerry Seinfeld!

6.  Rather than rinsing fruits and veggies with running tap water, soak them in a pan

7.  Use your dishwasher rather than hand washing.  If you don't have one, fill up one sink with wash water and another with rinse water to conserve usage.

8.  Use your garbage disposal sparingly - compost vegetables for waste instead - you'll have gallons of water and give back to the environment!

9.  Use a commercial car wash that recycles water

10.  Better yet - wash your car on the lawn - you get dual benefits!

Check out GOOD to view an informative and family-friendly video and for more information.  You can also check out Water Use it Wisely for additional tips.  Drink up!

*Source:  Water: Use it Wisely