First of all, this is no ordinary Shopping Guide! It is The Better World Shopping Guide: Every Dollar Makes a Difference
Ellis Jones compiled an easy to use quick reference guide that can help us steer businesses towards becoming more environmentally conscious and socially responsible. The author shares key information and tips for each area where we spend our money, as well as highlighting how companies are doing relative to one another. Though it is not a comprehensive list, it is a great start. Here are some unfortunate tidbits from the book:
- Here is another good reason to switch to fair trade and/or organic chocolate and coffee: child slavery is involved in the production of up to 40% of all chocolate in the industry, and coffee farmers are on the brink of starvation. Nestle is the corporate villain, which is also #6 in the top 10 worst companies.
- Wal-Mart is #3 on the top 10 worst companies list. Their bad deed includes documented exploitation of child labor, and major toxic waste dumping fines.
- General Motors is #1 polluter in the auto industry. I wonder if they would have maintained that #1 position, if they instead invested the $50M in their operations rather than paying the lobbyists.
- You may have noticed the cigarette industry is heavily targeting the developing countries. If you have to smoke, try American Spirit. They use 100% additive-free tobacco, along with other socially conscious activities.
- Who would have thought vitamins and animal welfare would be related? Centrum (Wyeth) is a corporate villain due to numerous federal ethics violations.
You can check out the better world shopper for more top 10s, sources used for compiling this information as well as a downloadable version of this list for your iPod.
So, what does this have to do with Helvetica
A company’s brand is its one of most valuable asset. Brand is a set of intangible values, such as beliefs and attitudes, that differentiate a firm’s product or services from another firm’s. For customers, brand highlights the additional value that they will receive from that firm.
Finally, here is the connection. During the documentary, Helvetica was referred to as the font of choice to give brand image the illusion of having social responsibility and accountability, even if that may not be the case. I know I am now paying more attention to the typefaces used in corporate communications. What do you think, is there a connection?
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Greetings. I hope you are well. I did want to make a few comments about Walmart. First off, I have never been to a Walmart. I used to think that they were the absolute worst company on the planet. In addition to the items cited, their policy on wages and benefits is disgusting. As of late, they have made a few positive moves which are worth noting. As the supply chain king, they are able to drive markets. They have recently set the policy that within 1-2 years they will no longer purchase non-concentrated detergent. This of course saves them shelf space, but it also decreases plastic use and cuts transportation costs in half (cutting CO2 as well). Maybe they did it for the shelf space, but all will benefit as the non-concentrated detergent will disappear from all markets. The other is that they claim by 2011 that they will not longer buy fish that is not harvested sustainably. This is a very positive move that I hope will transform the entire fishing industry. In the past they have used their market power for exploitation, at least now they are using some of it for good. Only time will tell. Take care.
Hi Rob. As I understand, Wal-Mart is also encouraging sustainable wood sourcing, and giving preference to suppliers who can verify their use of sustainably harvested and recycled wood fiber. Every little bit will make a difference in the long-term.