Ben and Jerry started the ice-cream company with $12,000 in 1978 after struggling for many months. $8,000 was from their savings and they had a $4,000 loan. The friend who helped them write the business plan (Jeff Furman) is now the Chairman of the Board. Here are some powerful ideas that have propelled them to do good even when Ben and Jerry's was sold to Unilever in 2000:
1. Business can be a force for good. They were one of the first companies to support the Occupy movement.
2. Businesses should not bankroll politicians. This is going to be their focus for 2012 (get the dough out of politics).
3. Go Fair Trade! Most of their products are fair trade.
4. If it's not fun, why do it? That's their motto.
Truly inspiring! My heroes - Ben and Jerry. Thank you!
Full Conference: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/303128-1 (if you are in a hurry, go straight to 24:55 to listen to Ben Cohen)
No comments:
Post a Comment