Positive Power of Principled Profit
Volume 1, Number 11 - August, 2004

Positive Power Spotlight: Co-op America

Since a catalog first showed up at my door many years ago, I've always liked Co-op America, an organization that spotlights its members who combine passions for social justice, environmental integrity, and fair labor practices.

Today (August 15, 2004), the group's home page urges visitors to "Take Action: Ask Your Supermarket to Carry Fair Trade Certified Products!", announces a Green Festival in Washington, D.C., scores major retailers for social responsibility, and has links to a Green Pages business directory, a program to end sweatshops, list of current boycotts, information on wood and paper conservation, and socially conscious shopping and investing. There's also information on an upcoming Green Business conference in San Francisco, money-saving environmental tips for consumers, and more.

Quoting from the FAQ, here are four of its programs:

* Green Business Program - starts and supports small socially and environmentally responsible businesses; publicizes the success of these businesses and gives people access to the growing green business sector.

* Consumer Education and Empowerment Program - informs people about how to vote with their dollars to effect change; helps people use their purchasing and investing power to create a more just and sustainable future.

* Corporate Responsibility Program - encourages corporations to become socially and environmentally responsible; provides information about boycotts and shareholder resolutions against irresponsible companies.

* Sustainable Living Program - provides information about practical measures people can take to make their personal, community, and work lives more meaningful and sustainable.

Founded in 1982, Co-op America has over 50,000 individual members and 2,000 participating businesses.

http://www.coopamerica.org/

And, since I'm trying to get signers for by own Ethical Business Pledge, it's important to point out Co-op America's Green Business Ethics Pledge: As a member of the Co-op America Business Network, "my company conducts business according to standards that reach beyond contemporary practices in addressing the needs of consumers, employees, the community and the environment. I certify and can demonstrate that we strive to operate in a socially just and environmentally sustainable manner."

Another Recommended Book: "Conflict Unraveled: Fixing Problems at Work and in Families" by Andra Medea

If you want to create the kind of successful culture of fiercely loyal customers and empowered employees that I discuss in Principled Profit, you need to understand human dynamics. This powerful and well-written book will give you several legs up. Learn to recognize "flooding"—emotional runaways—and how to de-escalate a person in that stage. Understand the difference between ladder and cluster hierarchies, and how to put each type to work for you. Learn what happens when people fall into the roles of hero and victim... Along with Bob Burg's Winning Without Intimidation, Conflict Unraveled should be required reading for anyone who wants to succeed in a people business.

If you'd like to buy this book, please follow this link to buy from a BookSense independent bookseller:
http://www.booksense.com/index.jsp?affiliateId=FrugalFun