| | |||
 | |||
|
"Never
doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world.
Indeed
it's the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead, Anthropologist
There are so many ways
in which employers, employees, managers and businesses can 'do
good' - so many ways that work can be satisfying and
worthwhile .
Work doesn't have
to be soul destroying, even though so many people feel that
it is.
Business doesn't
have to put short-term profits before human and environmental health.
Customers and community members don't need to support
businesses (and governments) that do so.
Naturally, finding
these ways is a personal thing. It can also be a strategically
smart and profitable thing. More
and more, every day people are learning to recognise the impact
of decisions they make at work each day.
Companies from Shell to Nestle are waking up to the benefits
of good corporate citizenship. As
stated in Shell's "Profits and Principles - does their have to be a
choice?" report: "We...are
striving to live up to our responsibiites - economic, social and environmental."
New businesses are building
themselves in sustainable ways from inception.
How heartening it is to hear Australian leaders like Janet Holmes a Court recognise that: "We must shift our emphasis from economic efficiency and materialism towards a sustainable quality of life and to the healing of people, society and ecological systems." The
dialogue between business and society has never been hotter
.
These links and references are based on
ongoing research and personal involvement with many of these organisations.They are for anyone interested in finding out more about the power
of work and business to create positive
change in society.
We encourage you to explore and keep an open mind.
E-mail your comments, suggestions, extra resource inclusions for
consideration, in order to make this site as much use to as many people
as possible.
Please help by linking to this page. If you have any other relevant resource to include, please contact us.
Sustainable Business Network (Aust/Int.)
Providers of this website Feel free to join the SBN's low volume list. It is an intelligent, friendly online community that can inform and inspire you about the positive potential of your work. All welcome. No cost to join. Please click above to subscribe or find out more... The WA Collaboration is committed to pursuing a just and sustainable future for Western Australia. It was formed from an historic partnership of some of Western Australia’s leading non-government organisations, who joined forces to help shape and promote the sustainability agenda for our State. The WA Collaboration was inspired by the formation of the Australian Collaboration in 2001, and their historic publication A Just and Sustainable Australia. This report describes key social, cultural and environmental issues facing Australia and the actions that should be taken to deal with them. The WA Collaboration was also inspired by the commitment of the WA Government to a more sustainable future for Western Australia through the release of the draft State Sustainability Strategy.Their website is a great resource and source of hope. New
Zealand Businesses for Social Responsibility (New Zealand) Ethical
Enterprise Network (Australia) AIESEC
(International) St
James Centre for Ethics (International) Students
for Responsible Business (International - USA-based) SBN
USA (International - USA-based) Social
Venture Network (International - USA-based) Reworking
Tomorrow (Australia)
We need more Australian examples... Are there any out there, or is it a case of shy poppy syndrome? Suggestions please - micro, medium and large! The Co-operative
Bank Ikea Planet Ark
St Lukes Barking Owl
Inspire, encourage and educate yourself and others with the following books and journals. Reviews and ordering through Amazon.com by clicking on the title you are interested in. Part proceeds to aid the Sustainable Business Network. These are just an initial set of recommendations. Check out "Customers who bought this book also bought" once you get to Amazon to continue on a topic. Books Corporate Citizenship, Macintosh, Leipzig,
Coleman, et al.
The Ecology of Commerce, Paul Hawkens.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People : Powerful Lessons
in Personal Change, Stephen Covey.
An Introduction to Business Ethics, George
D. Chryssides & John H Kaler.
The Caring Economy , Gerry McGovern.
"Seeks to establish some philosophical foundations and basic principles
for living in the digital age." Zen and the Art of Making a Living : A Practical Guide to
Creative Career Design, Laurence G. Boldt.
Managing With a Conscience : How to Improve Performance Through Integrity, Trust, and Commitment, Frank K. Sonnenberg.
Tyranny of the Bottom Line: Why Corporations Make Good People
Do Bad Things, Ralph Estes.
Business as a Calling: Work and the Examined Life ,
Michael Novak.
75 Best Business Practices for Socially Responsible Companies ,
Alan Reder for the Social Venture Network.
Cracking the Corporate Closet: 200 Companies to
Work for, Buy from, & Invest In, D. Baker, S. Strub
et al.
Journals & Magazines
In the last few years there has been an explosion in the number
of print and electronic publications available to keep you up-to-date
with the news and views in the sustainable business area. Here are just
a few that are recommended.
Ethical
Investor (Aust.) - The essential read for anyone interested
in principles and profit in Australia and beyond. Available at newsagents
or by subscription.
Free online subscription for e-news. Contact: Paddy Manning (editor).
SustainableBusiness.com
(USA/Int.) - Comprehensive Internet resource and community for businesses
that integrate economic, and social and environmental concerns into
their core strategy. Free
online subscription for e-news.
Business
Spirit Journal (USA) - Improving satisfaction and productivity
at work. Corporate Citizenship Research Unit (Aust) Sustainable
Investment Research Institute (SIRIS) (Aust/Int.) The New Academy of Business
(UK) Business
Council of Australia (Aust.) Vincent
Fairfax Fellowships Adbusters Australian Ethical Investments Corporate
Watch PR Watch Rosneath
Farm Robert Theobald
- Written, spoken and consulted on these issues for the last forty years.
Encyclopedia of the Future sites him as one of the top ten living futurists.
For the best summary of his current views see The
Healing Century (ABC link). Very active in Australia during his
last years (died November 1999), aided by Reworking Tomorrow group.
(Big thanks to Robert and Rodney Vlais for helping the Sustainable
Business Network (Aust) get off the ground.) Michael Leunig - cartoonist, poet, philosopher,
National Living Treasure. Mathew Fox
- PhD, author, The Reinvention of Work, Passion for Creation,
Work and Spirituality and 19 other books, President, University of Creation
Spirituality. Hazel
Henderson - futurist, economist, Fellow of the World Business
Academy, author, Building a Win-Win World, Paradigms in Progress, and
others. Ann Macbeth -
futurist, columnist, public speaker, principal of Annimac Consultants
based in Perth, WA. See her regular column in WA Business News. Green Money EcoMall Fast
Company It all starts with your Self,
doesn't it? Thanks to Sorel
Norlin for the following summary of a powerful personal creed
known as "The Four Agreements": 1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD
Speak with integrity. Say only
what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to
gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of
truth and love. 2. DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY
Nothing others do is because
of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality,
their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions of others and actions
of others you won't be the victim of needless suffering. 3. DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS
Find the courage to ask questions
and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly
as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just
this one agreement you can completely transform your life. 4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST
Your best is going to change
from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as
opposed to sick. Under any circumstances, simply do your best, and you
will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret. From "The Four Agreements - A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom" by Don
Miguel Ruiz. Help
out a little & keep in touch... If you have benefited
in anyway from this resource page, please consider doing the following: Thank you for visiting. Good luck with your life's
work and play! Contact the Webmaster |
|||