CENTER FOR BUSINESS
AS AN AGENT OF WORLD BENEFIT

Curiosity, it is said, can lead to ground-breaking innovations. Considering that children are exemplars of continual curiosity, it is surprising that they have not played a bigger role in conceptualizing products for organizations. ‘By Kids For Kids Co.’ recognized this anomaly and created a business model that not only ensures sustainability by innovation but also maximizes the creative potential in children and helps them develop in multiple ways. Through involving an under-engaged population in the process of economic development the organization aims at ensuring creative thinking and self-reliance in the youth.

By building upon a non-invasive, non-drug therapy for correcting ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and other learning disorders Open Pathways To Learning has found true benefits of innovation; developing people in the course of developing a sound business model. The therapy is based on ‘Brain Integration Technique’ that utilizes principles of applied kinesiology and acupressure to help children and adults overcome their learning difficulties.

In the times of rising fuel prices attributed to factors like plateaued refinery outputs, increasing demand from developing countries and a weakening US dollar, Biofuel manufacturing companies,like SeQuential provide a ray of hope toward resolution of the crisis and achieving sustainability. This is a company that is truly riding the wave of next generationefuels by choosing to manufacture and market Biodiesel as an alternative to the regular fuel. Biodiesel, a cleaner burning, renewable fuel is manufactured from vegetable oil or animal fats and lives up to all that SeQuential promises as its mission - local, cleaner, better.

Not all organizations are created with a vision for an immediate impact in the short-term as well as a sustainable and positive long term impact- Planet Green is certainly an exception. It is a vibrant example of a business based on a genuine concern for the environment addressed by recycling and reuse in turn creating awareness in those involved at every step of the process.

TOMS shoes are the harbinger of what has been christened as the ‘one to one movement’- for every shoe a customer buys, TOMS donates a pair to a child in need. Going beyond corporate philanthropy, TOMS has integrated the spirit of positive world impact in the very heart of its business, making it a truly sustainable model.

Brooks Sports, Inc. designs and markets a line of high performance running shoes, apparels and accessories in more than 40 countries. Building a strong brand through community support and outreach programs, Brooks encourages healthier minds and bodies, healthier planet and a healthier bottomline. As an organization that is not only committed to encouraging long-term health in people but in providing this impetus through environmentally friendly product innovations, ‘Brooks’ has discovered and successfully implemented the mantra of sustainability.

Building self esteem, securing sustainable future, and creating abundance through the force of business is what defines Economic Development Imports (EDImports). The organization has been instrumental in leveraging the skills of women in the developing world to produce native products that could be sold in the developing world, thereby reducing poverty, insecurity and threat. What makes this different is the scale of the initiative that reaches out to multitude of artisans in the most remote parts of East and West Africa. By being a conduit to the beautiful products made by these women and their huge demand in the markets in the developed world, EDImports has provided the required impetus to pull the artisans and their families out of marginal socioeconomic conditions.

Newman’s Own Organics is an organic food manufacturer that focuses on providing the kinds of products people loved as kids, but takes them one step further by using the highest quality of available organic ingredients. Nell Newman, daughter of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, along with Peter Meehan founded Newman’s Own Organics in 1993. Newman’s Organics has been an innovator of organic food products since its conception, concentrating on developing products with wide consumer appeal, such as pretzels, cookies and popcorn. According to Nell Newman, “Some people have a narrow definition of organic. They see it as heavy and tasteless, being forced to change your eating habits. No way! This is great food that is ultimately better for the environment long, long term.”

Founded in 1979 Yamamoto-Moss is a prominent marketing, communications, and graphic design firm based in Minneapolis, MN. Unlike other marketing and research firms, however, Yamamoto-Moss supports the important work of local nonprofit organizations through their Community Building Program. The eight year old program is an exceptional example of how business can generate sustainable impact beyond merely funding worthy organizations. By investing their time, talent and expertise, Yamamoto-Moss fosters sustainable efforts by non-profit organizations and develops community relationships that will have on-going positive impacts that provide substantial benefit to their business.

Cascade Engineering is a leader in engineered plastic systems for the automotive, solid waste and industrial markets. Cascade certainly is driven by the “Triple Bottom Line” philosophy. The company’s objectives are to create a higher level of organizational accountability and transparency; foster a balanced approach to continuous improvement; and provide a learning tool and framework for other medium sized companies. Cascade’s innovations include developing and issuing an annual report titled the Triple Bottom Line Report. This report includes a “sustainability scorecard which illustrates Cascade’s strong commitment to transforming what many people view as a ‘good idea’ into long term strategic advantage,” said Fred Keller, Cascade Engineering Chairman and CEO. “ In measuring our many areas of progress, and some remaining performance gaps, Cascade is inviting its many stakeholders and industry peers to take a close look at our multi-year effort to realize the potential of three vital and interrelated ‘bottom lines’. We believe that social and environmental initiatives can contribute to positive business results, and that sustainability will continue to gain momentum through the open exchange of ideas and best practices”.

Blue Sky Hauling is an Oakland, California-based hauling company that is redefining the hauling industry and globally helping underserved populations at the same time. Unlike traditional hauling or recycling companies, Blue Sky Hauling removes unwanted items and materials from homes and businesses and then partners with local, national, and international organizations to deliver useable items and materials to places that have immediate need. By taking recycling one step further, Blue Sky Hauling is successfully partnering with non-profit organizations both locally and around the world to benefit the disadvantaged and those in crises.

Ten Thousand Villages (TTV) provides vital, fair income to Third World artists and crafts people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. It is a nonprofit, self-supporting alternative trading organization (ATO) - a non-governmental organization designed to benefit artisans, not to maximize profits. They market products from handicraft and agricultural organizations based in low-income countries. They provide consumers around the world with products that have been fairly purchased from sustainable sources. ATOs put fair trade into practice and campaigns for more equitable terms of trade for artisans from low-income countries TTV is a nonprofit fair trade program of Mennonite Central Committee, a relief, service and peace agency of the North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches. To TTV, each village in the world represents a unique, distinctive people... offering extraordinary products born of their rich cultures and traditions.

The Beach Solar Laundromat uses eight solar thermal panels to heat water for the Laundromat, potable water for the second floor apartment and for space heating in radiators. The building was built in 1939, and the mechanical retrofit took place in 2002 and 2003. Natural Gas consumption has been reduced by approximately 30% as a result of the energy initiatives undertaken. Revenues have grown 160% over eighteen months as customers actively choose the Beach Solar Laundromat because of its environmentally friendly energy initiatives.

Recognizing the sizable challenge of having an aging workforce with an average of mid-fifties at one of its plants in South Africa, Nissan took steps to replenish its workforce. Young relatives of the retirees were recruited to assure continuity of family incomes, older relatives served as their mentors before retiring, and financial planning and small- to medium-size business consultants were provided to all retirees. As a result company rejuvenation stimulated community development.