5 Questions Every CEO or Board Member Should Be Asking When Speaking Up on a Potentially Polarizing Issue

5 Questions Every CEO or Board Member Should Be Asking When Speaking Up on a Potentially Polarizing Issue

5 Questions Every CEO or Board Member Should Be Asking When Speaking Upon a Potentially Polarizing Issue

Bigelow Tea’s new venture into vehicle-to-grid technology will reduce building costs and its carbon footprint

Bigelow Tea’s new venture into vehicle-to-grid technology will reduce building costs and its carbon footprint

For 75 years Bigelow Tea has focused on doing the right thing for the right reasons. As a Certified B Corporation, Bigelow Tea has reduced the emissions associated with transporting their products by finding more efficient shipping routes. To reduce its carbon footprint and create a more resilient energy grid, the specialty tea market leader announced this morning, an initiative with FermataEnergy, that will use the power from an electric vehicle (a Nissan Leaf) to supply electricity to their Louisville, KY plant during times of peak energy use. (Link to NewsRelease).

Millennials demand your message matter

Millennials demand your message matter

Businesses struggle today in how to deal with the millennial workforce and yet, millennials are forcing the hands of companies to speak up and speak out on high profile environmental issues and on perceived social injustices.Where government fails to act, millennials are demanding their employer or the company's they do business with, step up to the plate to make an impact beyond their bottom line.

Investors are noticing the corporations filling a void left by government

Investors are noticing the corporations filling a void left by government

In the past, the chief executives of America's largest companies hid behind associations to advocate for or against issues to avoid retribution from their employees or customers, Today, however is a different day and our employees and customer are asking our CEO's to speak up and speak out. And investor's are starting to notice.

As CEO, its' time for you to lean in, speak up and speak out!

As CEO, its' time for you to lean in, speak up and speak out!

Companies and CEOs today have the power to influence the public's agenda. Whether it is banning together to advance an agenda as part of a trade association or speaking up and speaking out on their own, employees and customers today are demanding the companies they work for or do business with share their corporate values, become more aware of current events and become more vocal on societal issues.

When do CEOs make their personal views public?

 When do CEOs make their personal views public?

If speaking up results in public backlash, the business leader should be prepared to deal with the issue and work with their PR and legal team to get in front of it. Whether it is holding a news conference, publishing an op ed or posting a Tweet. Words do matter and they should be communicated carefully.

Can you live off of $4.20 for 24 hours, as your only source of food?

Can you live off of $4.20 for 24 hours, as your only source of food?

1.3 Million people living in Michigan rely on just $4.20 to feed themselves. In fact, 1 in 7 individuals rely on SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as “food stamps”), to eat and/or feed their family — 27% of whom, are children, 28% of whom are 60 or older — That’s only $1.20 per meal.  Yad Ezra, Michigan's only Kosher food pantry is challenging the community to live of $4.20 for food on July 11-12 and see what it feels like to live on SNAP. You've been SNAPPED and I challenge you to join me.

The Investing Power of Millennials: Redefining the Good Life

The Investing Power of Millennials: Redefining the Good Life

In spite of a chaotic political arena, a majority of Americans share the view that The Good Life is defined by connections to people and planet more than by material wealth and consumption. Furthermore, Americans are looking to brands to take the lead in showing them how they can make a more fulfilling life according to a US study of 1,000 adults 18+ conducted in April 2017.