February 1, 2010
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Spreading the word and getting others engaged is a core part of the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program, and we are proud to be partners in creating and bringing this program to life. Through this initiative thousands of lower-income food and beverage micro-entreprenuers are receiving business coaching and access to new networks and capital.
January 29, 2010
Boston Beer Company Founder Jim Koch responds to President Obama's State of the Union Address on CNBC's Main Street Business. Jim talks about the company's community initiative - Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream - that is creating jobs in small businesses through the power of micro-lending. We are proud to be a part of the Samuel Adams team. Click to learn more on the program's website, watch related video, or read other related causenation posts.
November 25, 2009
My dad has given me many lessons over my lifetime and one of the ones I always seem to draw on is: Do not confuse someone’s method with his motive.
This came to mind recently when Goldman Sachs announced a $500 million philanthropy initiative to help small business owners through higher education scholarships, access to capital and mentoring. There is little doubt expressed by journalists and bloggers all around the country that what is motivating Goldman is a desperate need for good will coming out of months and months of revelations around the company’s role in Wall Street’s financial meltdown.
Goldman appears to have begun to embrace what we in causenation always look for from corporate America - transparency. Goldman executive Lloyd C. Blankfein, acknowledged at a conference in New York, on the same day as the philanthropy announcement, that the company had made mistakes, and that it was sorry. He said, “We participated in things that were clearly wrong and have reason to regret. We apologize.”
October 18, 2009
As I travel back from the Points of Light Institute’s Presidential Summit on Community Service, hosted by Former President Bush (41) and President Obama, I am inspired by the direction and fresh momentum of the national and community volunteerism movement. Discussions have moved well beyond volunteerism as a “nice to do” or “a civic responsibility,” toward a focus on using service as a tool to achieve targeted social outcomes.
October 1, 2009
Each year, Adobe celebrates the cutting-edge use of its technology for creating engaging virtual experiences. This year Social Responsibility was added as a new category, and the diverse finalists in this category are worth checking out. The general public has been invited to vote on the winner. Finalists include a dynamic online forum for Colorado teenagers to discuss peer pressure and making smarter choices in their lives; an interactive game to promote healthy relationships among youth; an online exploration of threatened salmon populations in the North Pacific; and an easy-to-use desktop application that helps Fiat owners drive more efficiently.
August 24, 2009
As Congress introduces what is hoped to be life-saving legislation to ban texting while driving, and the National Safety Council earlier this year called for a nationwide ban on cell use while driving, causenation sees a tremendous opportunity for scores of mobile device manufacturers and carriers to stand up and be counted as pro-safety. Next week the U.S. Transportation Secretary will host the Distracted Driving Summit on this life & death issue.
Like the automobile industry before them that championed seatbelt laws and advocated for tougher drunk driving legislation, it is time for this sector to align corporate values with action and create CSR initiatives that promote more responsible and safer use of its products. The social need being both profound and timely, would allow companies in this space to take some really innovative steps toward addressing the increasing danger of using all types of mobile communications devices while driving.
August 9, 2009
So I just read that the Pope has announced a Christmas cause marketing campaign. He has partnered with David Geffen and is making a CD of holiday music to benefit less advantaged kids around the globe. I, for one, couldn't be happier. In my book it communicates a big, pious thumbs up for the practice of cause marketing.
August 9, 2009
When I hear about a theme or a trend that catches my attention, I tuck it away and know I will use it at some point. If I hear about it again in a different circle I know it is an idea that is “bubbling” and is something that will likely resurface, and so I start to think about its relevance to my world. The third time this theme crosses into my domain, I know it is an established conversation that many are having. And in the past 10 days or so, at varied intersections, I have been part of conversations about what it actually takes to work in the CSR field. Is it training? DNA? Professional experience? Formal education? I don’t know the definitive answer, but I do know there is more than one path. Mostly, I am just thrilled the conversation is actually taking place in numerous circles.
July 15, 2009
The 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game launched last night with a "high-five" to community service and volunteerism. Five living U.S. Presidents honored five specific community heroes, during over five minutes of live prime time national television. Kudos to Major League Baseball for helping to further embed civic participation and giving into popular culture. If you missed this part of the pre-game show check it out.
Giving and volunteerism was core to the "Going Beyond" theme heralded throughout the All-Star calendar. During the Home Run Derby MasterCard held the "Hit it Here" promotion to benefit Stand Up to Cancer. Also did you notice the RBI tally board in the outfield - throughout the game both teams were competing to hit the most RBI's triggering a donation to charity. One-offs to be sure, but connected to a bigger, emerging national theme.
May 11, 2009
I recently had the privilege of volunteering along with the employees of our client, Samuel Adams, at their "Speed Coaching" event. Speed Coaching is an integral part of Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, the company's signature philanthropy program that helps lower-income food and beverage microentrepreneurs build and strengthen their small businesses, realize their dreams, and achieve economic independence. The program offers microloans, and other hard-to-come-by resources, through the Samuel Adams Microloan Fund with nonprofit partner ACCION USA.
Speed Coaching is cool! Building off the idea of Speed Dating (which I've only heard about, never experienced) Boston Beer staff, and other volunteers, meet with microentrepreneurs in short, spirited sessions offering their expertise in package design, branding, PR, finance, legal, sales and distribution, and marketing to entrepreneurs who often lack access to networks and mentors who can help them with these aspects of running a small business.
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