By: SMSBF writer, Monica Plawecki In recent articles, we’ve explored the importance of a just wage, focusing specifically on how a living wage allows workers to fully participate in and deepen connections within their community. We also looked at a handful of small businesses in Detroit that have embraced Triple Bottom Line (3BL) business practices …
Let’s face it, whether you’ve stayed in Detroit your whole life, or you’re from the burbs and are just now discovering the meaning of urban existence, there’s excitement in the air. It’s always been here – I believe it’s the spirit of the city – and it has always been driving change. But for a …
Opinion – What Does a Just Wage Have to Do With Pursuing Happiness? Read More »
Are America’s most powerful corporations starting to embrace Triple Bottom Line concepts? Well, maybe. They are taking a step in the right direction at least. The Business Roundtable recently published a new definition of the purpose of a corporation, and it includes more than padding the pockets of shareholders. The Business Roundtable is made up …
Providing Long-Term Value – Business Roundtable Signs New “Purpose of a Corporation” Read More »
We Americans are an interesting lot: for all of the great qualities of our “anything is possible” culture, there are some that defy imagination. The reaction to the most recent United States Business Roundtable (USBR) statement is a case in point. As we read in this month’s lead story, the USBR statement is certainly a …
Op-Ed by Mike Shesterkin, Executive Director, SMSBF We live in an age of income and wealth disparity. A recent Pew Research study indicates, “The highest-earning fifth of U.S. families earned 59.1% of all income, the richest fifth held 88.9% of all wealth.” Other measures indicate equally disturbing trends. What is it about this system that …
Opinion – A Hedge Against Wealth Disparity: Employee Owned Businesses Read More »
In the wake of the recent economic downturn, corporations and organizations began to reveal some of their internal practices, speak about what they were doing, where they were going, and why. What grew out of an effort to regain the trust of consumers, is now embraced by successful organizations of all sizes. This transparency in …
Transparency in Business – A step toward a more sustainable practice Read More »
Our recent Triple Bottom Line (3BL) Forum, titled “The Power to Change Things,” highlighted many avenues our community can pursue to change the very nature of the businesses we own, work for, and aspire to be. One such theme that arose from several presentations discussed the rise of the emerging local economy here in the …
An Emerging Local Economy – what does that mean for cities like Detroit? Read More »
One of the essential keys to life is being prepared for the unexpected. Surprises lurk around every corner. What follows may come as a surprise to many. In a Forbes article titled, “The World Is Entering A ‘Localism’ Era”, author Patrick W. Watson writes about the growing backlash to globalism. To emphasize his points, Watson …
At a time when “isms” seem to be reproducing like rabbits, it’s hard not to be confused. What exactly does the word localism mean? According to Webster’s, localism means, “the state or condition of being local; the influence that a particular place or location exerts.” It’s the idea of exerting influence that seems the most …
On Wednesday, September 12, passionate members of the Detroit and surrounding community came together at the Michigan State University Detroit Center to discuss the important role that business plays in building a sustainable community. The almost sold-out room was the perfect environment for networking and dialogue spanning many different industries and perspectives. Setting the tone …
Intersection of Sustainable Business and Community Read More »
