Think Big, Sustainable Dining, B-Corps and more

Our latest e-bulletin takes a look at some of the latest movers and shakers in responsible business– from Telefónica’s ambitious Think Big programme, unlocking the potential of young people in order to unlock the potential of the business itself; to the new partnership between Harden's Restaurant Guides and the Sustainable Restaurant Association, which will make it easier for diners to choose where they eat based on sustainability as well as cuisine.

We also take a look at the rise of the Benefit Corporation and B-Corps (NB. they're different) in America. Do we really need a new classification for businesses that pursue profit as well as purpose? It’s true that B-Corps like Patagonia are showing real innovation and commitment – you don’t get much bigger than 'Don’t buy our product' as a sustainability message. But Patagonia was an innovative, socially responsible business long before signing up as a B-Corp. Introducing a new legal 'status' for responsible business risks giving the impression that 'normal' businesses aren't expected or able to balance profit with social value.

If you’d like to read the full e-bulletin, get in touch – katie@goodbusiness.co.uk

November e-bulletin

The protesters of the Occupy Movement have decided to get up and take action on something they believe in, they're looking for ways of getting their voices heard, they want to have a debate about our future.

We whole heartedly welcome the activism and energy and debate. But we don't agree with them. The problem with the protestors is that they don't know what they want to change, they don't have any alternatives and they're wrong to just rail against business as if it's a monolithic entity or against capitalism as though it's the system that's the problem. It's not.

And indeed with the economic news seeming to get bleaker by the day, we need the enormous capacity of businesses to generate wealth and get things moving more than almost ever before. It's the only way we're going to move forward.

In this month’s Good Business e-bulletin, Giles calls for new bravery from business and delves into what this might look like and how we might measure it. To read more, email David@goodbusiness.co.uk.