Drugs and there effect on society Essay Example for Free

Drugs and there effect on society EssayWe opened the chapter with the twaddle about an outdoor company, and we end it with a story about a nonher outdoor company. The company were discussing this time, based in Portland, Oregon, was the brainchild of a small group of executives who left big times jpbs at Patagonia, Nike, and Adidas. These individuals shargond a belief that in addition to generating a profit, companies harbour an equal responsibilities to create positive social and environmental change. Putting their beliefs into action, the group create Nau (which is Maori for Welcome Come in). and Nau id not just another outdoor company When deciding what Nau was going to be like and how it was going to do business, the founders knew they didnt want to do things the way theyd always been done by traditional businesses. CEO Chris Van Dyke said, We started with a clean whiteboard. We belived every wholeness operational element in our business was an opportunity to turn tradi tional business notions inside out, integrating environmental, social, and economic factors. From design to sales to finances, Nau is driven by these factors.Everything in Naus operation had been approached with sustainability and social justice filter. In the design bea, the company, in partnership with its suppliers, developed 24 of its 32 fabrics to be more sustainable and to combine performance and visual appeal. Each supplier, manufacturer, and even Nau itself is bound by a code of conduct. To ensure that all parties are living up to the standards, their actions are overseen by an independent, nonprofit auditing and research firm. In the sales area, the way the company retails its products is also unique. Using a concept it calls a network-front, Nau has combined the efficiency of the Web with the intimacy of a gallery like boutique. In the store, customers can try on clothes, but they use self-serve kiosks to purchase from the Web. Because in-store inventory is greatly reduce d, the stores are small 92,400 squares feet compared to the standard 4,000 plus square foot outdoor retail store). This approach saves operating expenses because less energy and fewer materials are used. Good for the satellite..good for the business.Finally, Nau has a unique financial approach it calls aggressive altruism. The company has pledged 5 percent sales to charitable organizations dedicated to solving all important(p) environmental and humanitarian problems. The philanthropicgold standard is 1 percent of sales, and the average among all corporations is 0.047 percent. But although the amount it gives is unusual, what happens with Naus dollars is really exceptional Nau puts the bad decision in the hands of its customers. Theyre asked to indicate which Partners for Change theyd like their 5 percent to go to. Using this conscious choice process, Nau is affair its customers out, daring them to touch the dots.Discussion questions1. What do you think of Naus approach to doing business? Is it being ethical and responsible? Discuss. 2. Will Naus approach have a limited appeal, or do you think it had staying power? What drawbacks might there be to what Nau is doing? 3. Is it a businesss responsibility to get customers to connect the dots and make choices about social issues? 4. Are there lessons here for other businesses? Discuss.INSTRUCTIONS1. Students are required to form a group of 4 (FOUR) to 5 (FIVE) persons. One of the group members should be assigned as the group leader.Deadline Submit your report in Week 5, which is 18.04.2014 (FRIDAY) before 12pm. * Late submission will not be entertained and you should bear the consequences.