Small Business, Low Carbon: High Potential

I spotted one of my favourite examples of CSR in smaller business included in a pretty good You Tube video.

Adnams, a brewery that produces, wait for it, a ‘carbon neutral’  beer (not tried it yet – Adnams, are you reading this?  hint). I often use them as a case study when presenting the opportunity that is CSR to small and medium sized (SME) business audiences. They even got a few big smiles during a seminar I delivered for a Turkish Chamber of Commerce a couple of weeks ago! Carbon neutrality aside, the hidden gem in this story is not green beer, it is that Tesco, the giant retailer asked Adnams if it was possible to produce a eco-friendly beer. Please dont underestimate the role reversal in this story. Literally thousands of businesses try unsuccessfully to tempt Tesco into stocking their product every year, that the retailer went to Adnams because of their reputation – one sizable vote for CSR!

Anyway, I digress, for a change. Back to the video…

Apart from the epitomy of polished corporate smugness that is Truett Tate from Lloyds Banking Group, it’s not bad at all – shame there had to be a bank in their scraping at rebuilding their reputation.

I would also wholeheartedly endorse Business in the Community’s Mayday Network for any smaller businesses out there. Get involved! It’s free and offers some great opportunities to network (the name gives it away), learn and position your company.

… and yes Coethica has signed the Copenhagen Communique - have you?