Social enterprises are faced with a fantastic opportunity – a severe recession and several banking scandals mean the public is looking for change, for a different way of doing business.

And they are not alone. The current government has been increasing its efforts to get social enterprises more involved in the delivery of public services through schemes like the NHS’s Social Enterprise Investment Fund, while the Tories, should they get into power, have already indicated how important they believe social enterprises will be in this area.

The end result should be significant growth in the whole sector, plus many social enterprises getting bigger very quickly. However that rapid growth brings its own dangers – losing touch with the values, people and approach that you originally set out with, becoming just another service provider, alienating your customers and stakeholders as the gap between you and them grows. When a social enterprise starts up, all the customers, staff and suppliers are known by name. As it grows, that personal relationship can’t be maintained, so something else – better communication – needs to fill the gap.

Now’s the time to invest in your communications, to make sure you really know your customers and what they want from you, and that your brand and the image you project stays true to your organisation’s mission and values. Here are five simple steps to take, to ensure your communication matches your promise, to help you achieve growth without losing your roots:

1. Commit to paper the values and approach that you used to set up the enterprise in the first place. Nothing complex, just the reasoning behind its creation and the impact you wanted it to make. These words should form the backbone not just of your communications, but all aspects of the business. You might be loathe to do it, but it will pay dividends if you do.
2. Make sure everyone who works with you knows these words, and understands what they really mean and how they should be applied to their everyday work.Use these words as the basis for any marketing that you do, however seemingly small and insignificant. All that you do should flow from your values, and all that you communicate should do so as well.
3. Ask people what they think of you on a regular basis – staff, suppliers, customers, neighbours, competitors – so you know how the business is being perceived, and whether the cracks are beginning to show between your values and the reality
4. Invest in your staff as your communicators. Once you reach a certain size, it can be tempting to start outsourcing various elements of your business, from payroll to marketing. This makes sense financially, but can lead to your team feeling it is someone else’s job to communicate your values. Communication should be part of everyone’s job description, whether you have a dedicated marketing resource or not.
5. Remember you are a social enterprise and make sure everyone else knows that too. This will be inherent in your values anyway, but it is imperative that all your stakeholders are reminded of what makes you different on a regular basis.

None of this needs to cost money, and it certainly isn’t rocket science, but it is exactly the type of thing that can get forgotten when you’re distracted by the pace and priorities of an organisation growing beyond its roots.

Forster is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The last year has been a period of stark reflection. More than ever before people are acutely aware that our entire economic and business systems have been predicated on one thing alone – the need to create wealth.

As well as the financial imperative, what is increasingly clear is that an economic system based only on the need to maximise profit is not fit for purpose in a world with finite resources.

The danger is that, deep public unease and a tinkering at the edges by policy-makers aside, we could all too easily revert back to conducting business as usual.

The self-serving characteristics of the banking system have been the most publicised enemies of the public, but it has also become clear that a business environment dominated by monopoly plcs has resulted in a distrust of this traditional kind of business model.

Having narrowly avoided disaster, it is imperative that we learn lessons from the last twelve months to rebuild a financial system and business sector that presents the public with genuine choice.

Co-operatives represent a real alternative.

Formed to serve the interests of members, co-operatives are associations of people, not capital. And anyone can be a member. This means that by design, co-operatives are more accountable.

Vitally, enshrined in their founding principles, is the need for co-operatives to secure long-term growth, not short-term profits making them arguably more resilient and sustainable business models. This isn’t to say they don’t make profits.  But as well as paying member dividends, profits from co-operatives are reinvested back into the business.

In addition, they have to deliver employee, societal and environmental benefits and to trade on an ethical basis.  In fact their basic operating policies would shame any plc’s glossy and well publicised Corporate Social Responsibility plan.

The attraction of co-operatives has been born out by the experience of the UK (and the world’s) largest consumer co-operative, the Co-operative Group. Bucking all the trends, its bank recorded a 68% increase in current accounts being opened during the credit crisis and its retail arm has also recorded a 23% increase in food sales. People are voting with their feet (and their wallets).

Not every business can or should operate as a co-operative.  But seeing a growth in the co-operatives sector and the adoption of more co-operative principles by businesses with more traditional structures could certainly improve things – not just for business leaders, but for everyone.

Co-operatives may not be the answer to all our problems but they can certainly help solve one of the most talked about issues of the last 12 months – how to balance profit making with sustainable business ethics.

Forster is working with the Co-operative Group to examine the role of, and potential for, co-operatives in the aftermath of the economic crisis.  Read the report ‘After the Crash; Building a new economic future the co-operative way’.

Forster is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Love Eco is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

After many months of hard work, whomadeyourpants? the hottest new worker co-op in town, is about to launch – and we’d love it if you and your friends came and celebrated with us. Supporters, suppliers, distributors and friends are all invited. Come to our premises, or join us later for a drink – or both! There will be a chance to meet the women, the volunteers and staff, and see samples at both events.

From 5 – 7

Evening drinks reception in Committee Rooms 3 and 4 at the Civic Centre. Hear speakers, met the team, see samples.. you can even place orders. There will be delicious food and drinks available.

Please feel free to share this invitation with friends, colleagues and groups you are involved in. RSVP to admin@whomadeyourpants.co.uk (cc’d) and tell us which event you’d like to come to and we will get back to you with directions and car parking information. We would really love to see everyone who has been involved so far – and those who have yet to be – there.

With best wishes,

Becky John, Founder and Managing Director

whomadeyourpants? is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Background

Over 5 million Nordmann Fir real Christmas trees are sold in the UK each year. About 90% of the seeds for Nordmann Fir Christmas trees are sourced from the natural forests in Georgia through an auction system that is corrupt and generates hardly any income for the cone pickers.

The best seeds come from an area called Ambrolauri. Cone pickers climb 30 metre high fir trees to collect the cones from which the seeds are hand-picked. The cone and seed collectors live in desperately poor conditions with little access to healthcare or education for their children. Local infrastructure in this poverty-stricken and sorely neglected area means that schools are few and far between, and those that do exist are hardly heated in winter, have very few books and many don’t even have doors.

Real life tragic stories

The cone pickers work without any safety equipment, not even ropes. It is not uncommon for collectors to fall out of the trees and die. Here are some sad stories about just a few people from the Ambrolauri area (there are many more!).

• Anna Khedeliana lost her husband Giorgi Enukidze in 2001 whilst he was working for a company harvesting seeds in Tlugi. He climbed up a tall tree which had previously been trimmed at the top in order to make the harvesting easier. When he reached the weakened top it was not able to hold him and both he and the top plummeted to the ground. Giorgi Enukidze was 49 years old and left a wife and three children behind when he died. Since the family had no insurance they were placed in a grave predicament by the death of the husband and father. The state pays only a small annuity as long as the children are under eighteen. The Georgian seed company paid for the funeral and Anna continues to collect seeds for the same company and is still without safety equipment. Her own son has collected 1 ton of cones so far this year.
• Levan Kobakhidze only lived to 16 years of age. His school was closed due to the civil war, and wanting to help his family in Tbilisi, he began working with some friends in the forest. In 1993 while harvesting cones in Tlugi, he fell from a great height when attempting to jump from one tree to another. There was no compensation or insurance. The family barely managed to pay for the funeral, and were unable to give him a proper burial lot. After his son’s death, the father subsequently suffered depression and committed suicide a few years later. He left behind his wife Leila Kobakhidze and his twin daughters, Tea and Teona.
• In 1994 Gaga Namgaladze attempted to jump from one tree to another. Upon landing in a tree, the top snapped and Gaga Namgaladze plunged to the ground and died. He was 26 years old. Gaga Namgaladze left behind a wife and a two-year-old daughter. There was no insurance nor compensation from the state. Together with the rest of his relatives, Gaga’s brother Rati Namgaladze had to help the unfortunate family.

Danish fair trade accreditation – The Bols Xmas Tree Fund

Only one company is currently providing safety equipment, training AND insurance to the workers there; Bols Forstplanteskole grows the only fair trade Christmas trees in the world.

The Bols Xmas Tree Fund was founded in 2007, and shortly afterwards the Fair Trees® brand was certified by Fair Trade Danmark.

The Fund aims to create awareness about and improve the terrible conditions under which the Georgian cone pickers live and work. The Fund provides the cone pickers with Danish-made safety equipment and ensures that the workers are instructed on safety. In addition, the Fund works towards creating proper conditions for workers and their families through financial support for schools, books and health care. And of course the workers are paid a fair price for their work.

And only one company in the UK is importing and retailing these trees; Fairwind. The trees are now available to order from www.fairwindonline.com. 

Katie Melua

The British Georgia-born singer, Katie Melua, has pledged support for the fair trade Christmas trees project:

 “I am absolutely thrilled that fair trade has reached the poor cone pickers of Georgia. Fair Trees® is a wonderful project that helps improve the lives of many people in remote areas of Georgia, the country where I was born. I urge anyone who loves a real Christmas tree to buy a fair trade one this year – after all, it won’t cost any more than a non-fair trade tree”.

For more information please contact:

Teresa Owen                      Marianne Bols

Fairwind                             Bols Forstplanteskole

t.owen@fairwindonline.com   mb@bolsforst.dk

T: 020 8374 6254              T: 00 45 75760043

Fairwind is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

In 2010 Ethical TV will be creating 10 new channels. If your organisation/business would like information on having a dedicated channel created on this robust global online media please email tania@handupmedia.co.uk

If you have films to be screened on Ethical.TV please email susan@handupmedia.co.uk

Hand Up Media is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Everyone welcome – FREE ENTRY

Last year we welcomed a record breaking 20,000 visitors to the Edinburgh Ethical Christmas Fair, the UK’s busiest Ethical Christmas event.

This event is located in the heart of Edinburgh on Castle Street/Princes Street. The event brings together over 30 exhibitors selling the very best ethically sourced stylish and innovative gifts from across the globe, and closer to home!

This nine day shopping event is now fully booked for exhibitors

Further information: tania@handupmedia.co.uk or 0131 226 2674

Hand Up Media is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Why not do your Christmas shopping via MoreEco this year and earn up to 10% cashback with your favourite eco, green and ethical online retailers.

Visit the latest offers page to make sure that you take advantage of the latest eco shopping offers as well.

Also to help organise the perfect Green Christmas, save money and reduce your carbon footprint we have listed some useful tips.

1. Serve local, healthy and seasonal December foods at your events and Christmas parties.

2. Decorating your house – Go for ethically made and traded decorations. Kids really enjoy making their own green decorations out of old scraps of material.

3. E-mail invites cards rather than post them or alternatively make your own out of scrap and recycled products.

4. Christmas heating and lighting bills can be huge! Save cash and protect the environment by using energy saving devices.

5. Use recycled paper, gift bags or even colorful cloth to wrap the Christmas presents

6. Make a green statement this Christmas ! Send a message to the manufacturers of consumer goods by shopping for & buying only natural, non toxic, eco friendly, organic presents this year.

7. Which makes a better tree? Artificial or a real one? Simply real ones are as they are great for the environment and can be replanted after use.

8. How do we give children what they desire but without poisoning our planet? Take electronic toys for instance,  only 2% of batteries are currently recycled – the rest end up in landfill sites and are poisoning our planet! So what do you do? Choose an eco toy.

9. Recycle your unwanted presents. Unfortunately everyone receives at least one unwanted gift at Christmas. Many recycle their unwanted presents to charities. Local hospitals and hospices are often very pleased to receive unwanted smellies to give to patients.

10. Don’t go overboard especially in the current climate and remember – reduce, reuse and recycle.

MoreEco is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Today we’re launching our major new booklet, entitled ‘Xmas² – how to have a better Xmas’.   We are giving away free downloads of the booklet at www.lifesquared.org.uk from now until Xmas.

Many people think Xmas has become too commercialised and has lost some of its meaning.  Our beautifully designed, 44-page Xmas² booklet provides a range of ideas and practical tips on how you can have a truly memorable festive experience – one with less consumerism, pressure and waste, and with more of the things that make festive celebrations great, including people, fun, relaxation, generosity, compassion and the opportunity to reflect.  It also promotes a sustainable approach to Xmas. 

Ultimately, it’s about remembering what’s important, in both Xmas and life generally.  Critically, in these financially stretched times, it involves spending less – rather than more – money.

We are giving away free downloads of the booklet at www.lifesquared.org.uk until Xmas.  These booklets normally cost £5 each, so this is a real bargain!  To download the guide, just go through the usual checkout process of purchasing it in our shop – and you will not be billed for it or asked to give any financial details.

To support our Xmas theme, throughout December we will be posting a range of interesting Xmas ideas and advice on www.lifesquared.org.uk, as well as some goodies and offers on our booklets and courses, so do keep visiting the site regularly over the next few weeks!

We’d really appreciate any help you could give in spreading the word about the new booklet – and about Life² itself – so it would be great if you could forward this message to friends and colleagues, post it on your mailing lists, twitter about it or do anything else you can to let people know about it.
 
Check out our other publications – including ‘Better than shopping’, ‘The mind diet’ and ‘The problem with consumerism’ – at www.lifesquared.org.uk.
 
Other news
We’re now up and running on both Facebook  and Twitter, so join us there for more updates and content – including a feed of new items we’re adding to the ‘Good Stuff’ section of the website.

That’s it for now!  Do keep visiting us at www.lifesquared.org.uk and please pass this email to anyone else who you think might be interested in what we do!
 
All the best,
 
Richard Docwra
Director
Life²
www.lifesquared.org.uk
info@lifesquared.org.uk
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Life² is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Looking at Business Success,  What does it mean and how do we get there?

For those interested in Rebuilding Trust, I recommend this one day conference and the networks associated with it.

• A one-day event looking at successful ethical business from sole-traders to structured organizations.
• Using the Quaker Business Method, you will discern true business success for your business in this time of ethical turmoil.
• The day will include the option to follow the ethical business thread or to mix it with learning on equitable governance, enhancing life at work, and getting the right business.
• Sharing and problem solving in small group workshops with advice and guidance from leading Quakers in business.
• Optional evening buffet,Tuesday 24 November: 19.30 – 21.00 at FH , £12 per head.
• Conference Fee £55, members £80 non-members.

Please go to the Q&B website for more information and to book:
http://www.quakersandbusiness.org.uk/