August 23, 2007 | Read Time: 1 minute
NEW BOOKS
Values Sell: Transforming Purpose Into Profit Through Creative Sales and Distribution Strategies
by Nadine A. Thompson and Angela E. Soper
Companies can both make money and benefit their communities by basing their business practices on socially responsible values, write Nadine A. Thompson, co-founder and president of Warm Spirit, a health- and beauty-products company, and Angela E. Soper, a writer and media consultant.
The authors suggest how businesses can create sales and distribution approaches that reflect their values, produce social good, and realize long-term financial success. They emphasize that “operating a business with a socially responsible mission is good business,” and offer examples of highly successful companies to illustrate the point.
Though Tom’s of Maine, a health-products manufacturer, was recently sold to Colgate-Palmolive, it has been able to continue its original mission “to do what is right for our customers, employees, communities, and environment.” The company donates 10 percent of its profits to charity, and creates “common good” partnerships with nonprofit groups and companies to fight obesity and save the environment.
Other chapters discuss how companies — either new or established — can determine what social goals to pursue, create partnerships with charities or individual leaders in the community, put their values into practice, and reward employees, among other topics.
“The real crux of the issue may be a simple matter of building long-term integrity — coupled with financial stability — versus seeking short-term financial gains,” the authors argue.
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, Calif. 94104; (415) 288-0260; fax (415) 362-2512; http://www.bkconnection.com; 163 pages; $12; ISBN 1-57675-421-9.
