What topics would you like to discuss in this group?

Hi Sherri, expected to see William Foote, Jonathan Rosenthal and Paul Meyers here, alas I find myself alone. I'd like to get a conversation going about The Sustainable Economy - you know, the one that's coming that engages with ecology through carbon and humanity through transparency and fairplay in trade. I've had this idea burning in my brain for some years now; what if we completely dispensed with the idea of 'buying' (blind purchase) and evolved the idea of 'investing' or conscious consumption. So, instead of buying a pack of coffee, we invest vin the company that produces it? Hmm. think I'm talking to myself again. -- Robin Smith Founder Host Universal, No1 in ethical communications 6-10 Lexington Street, Soho, London, W1F 0LB T +44(0)2078494500 F +44(0)2078494545 www.hostuniversal.com

I think the Beta test is just getting things off the ground here. Although I don't have any specific topics as yet, I'm curious to talk about social responsibility in general. I have been doing quite a bit of research on the topic of late and I have been curious to see what kinds of things are predictors of social responsibility in business. I'd also like to discuss what kinds of things we can do to promote more social responsibility in the business world.

Not intended to edit this site but as a general discussion ... is there a better phrase and lexicon for "social responsibility?" Something that is more ... interesting, compelling, inspiring? Something less, well, responsible? In all the focus group testing I have done over the years, people cringe at the word "responsibility." Just wondering.

I suppose I would respond or add to Jim's comment, above, saying that perhaps we would be better off exploring a concept of corporate social . . . strategy? In that regard, we are recognizing a corporation's vested interest alongside the stakeholders' interests in benefiting from the corporation's participation. See Gate's comments at Davos this week . . .

This would be quite a divergence from the previous entries and I am not sure this is the correct forum, but a thread to discuss tactics and tips of the individual in a large corporation would be fantastic. As 1 of 80k employees in my company, how do I find others of similar sustainable aspirations and harness the energy to make change within? I see so many small things that could make a difference and have bigger ideas as well. But I am at a loss on how to imlement within.

I'm interested in developing recommendations and policies for corporations and small businesses to pair corporate giving/sponsorships with skills based volunteering and advocacy platforms to drive social change and solve local issues. Our local/national and international non-profits need help (especially in this economy) staying relevant, efficient and sustainable while serving a valid need in the community.

I would like to see social entepreneurship, philanthropic entepreneurship, the double bottom line concept of a profit making non-profit that makes money and produces a product: social change. Big movement. See the social enterprise reporter. google social enterprise and it will explain the concept

Wanted - Best practices, examples, and ideas for marketing products and services to low-income populations. McDonalds and Nike have been very successful selling products to low-income individuals. What ideas and practices can we take from the for-profit world to market books, tutoring, financial literacy, individual savings accounts, and other services to low-income families?