In the era of Gordon Gekko, back in the late 1980s when corporate greed was “good”, most people thought ethical business was an oxymoron. The two, ethics and business, were assumed to mix about as comfortably as oil and water. In the past two decades, however, a remarkable transformation has taken place.
When companies talk about being ethical, however, it is not always clear what they are referring to. Currently to the fore is the idea that the goods and/or services they sell be produced in a way that is not only profitable, but also socially and environmentally responsible—the three sources of the so-called “triple bottom line” of people, profits and planet. But much of the growth in ethical business has been market driven: it has happened because consumers, employers and investors want it.
There has never been more interest in working ethically, and many small business owners are leading the way in finding positive solutions that benefit them, their community and the environment.
This book helps you to do the same, by offering invaluable advice on:
- Creating an ethical strategy for your business
- Finding suppliers who share your aims
- Playing your part in an ethical supply chain
- Banking ethically
- Buying positively
- Treating your staff fairly
- Respecting and protecting the environment
- Contributing to your local community.
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