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Do you know of a company that has a 'different' (i.e. not cut-throat, traditionally 'masculine') approach to business?

26 replies

MrsMerryHenry · 27/08/2009 20:52

I'm doing some research for my work and would love to get names/ details of any such company.

Thanks in advance!

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whomovedmychocolate · 27/08/2009 20:53

John Lewis is apparently quite like that.

Or the Cooperative Group.

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Umlellala · 27/08/2009 20:55

what whomoved says

Waitrose, maybe?

Def the Co-op

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whomovedmychocolate · 27/08/2009 20:59

Waitrose is part of the John Lewis Partnership

They are all shareholders and get a share dividend yearly between 12 and twenty something percent of their salaries on average. Mutually decide on business matters, can sack the chairman blah blah blah.

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PinkyRed · 27/08/2009 21:00

Suma food co-op, West Yorks - an acquaintance works for them and they sound fantastic

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whomovedmychocolate · 27/08/2009 21:02

Ooh they are the apricot people aren't they? I love their dried apricots.

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MrsMerryHenry · 27/08/2009 21:07

Wow, thanks for your swift replies!

PinkyRed - what does your friend say about them?

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Littlefish · 27/08/2009 21:08

I think that "Rachel's organics" do, or used to. Not sure whether they still do. I also think I remember reading that "Ben & Jerry's" ice-cream is/was, but I think they've been bought out recently, so that might have changed.

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Umlellala · 27/08/2009 21:10

Yes, my sis worked for Waitrose/JL and rates them highly.

(Oops, I meant to delete the 'Waitrose,maybe' bit when I typed 'what whomoved says' as i realised my post was the same as yours. Why doesn't MN have an edit button?!)

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whomovedmychocolate · 27/08/2009 21:10

They were bought out and are big corporate now Littlefish. Rachel's organics that is.

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MissisBoot · 27/08/2009 21:13

Innocent - the people who make teh smoothies are supposed to be good - the CEO used to have a column in the Guardian Work section.

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DunderMifflin · 27/08/2009 21:15

Someone at my work had worked at Ford before and she said their standard maternity leave was a year's full pay...

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MissisBoot · 27/08/2009 21:15

Ford also used to pay for your NCT classes

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Takver · 27/08/2009 21:16

Try Ethical Consumer magazine, come to think of it of course they are pretty funky themselves, but also they rate companies in different fields according to criteria that you might found useful. (And I like them cos they listed our company as an Ethical best buy a few years back!!!)

Are you specifically looking for big companies? I think there are loads of small businesses that work to non-cut-throat criteria, not only what you might consider 'modern' ethical type companies but also a lot of old-fashioned family businesses, which are much more about making a reasonable living for family and workers than about growth at all costs.

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squeaver · 27/08/2009 21:18

Coca-cola now own a chunk of Innocent (minority stake)

Also Ben & Jerry's is owned by Unilever

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CarmenSanDiego · 27/08/2009 21:19

Lush, perhaps?

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PinkyRed · 27/08/2009 21:21

Well, Suma's a coop, so everyone has a stake in it, and they take on different roles - not too sure how this works in practice, but it seems that someone might spend some time loading pallets in the warehouse, and then move on to working in admin, or making decisions about hr policy. Decisions are taken collectively, which sounds a nightmare frankly, but I've met a couple of people who work there and they just love it - both very socially aware people, not materialistic etc.

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MrsMerryHenry · 27/08/2009 21:28

Takver, I'm open to looking at all companies of all sizes - even sole traders. I'm interested in how they treat everyone they encounter, staff and suppliers alike.

Great list, folks!

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MrsMerryHenry · 27/08/2009 21:28

Oh, and thanks for Ethical Consumer recommendation - I'll hunt them out. Are they subs only?

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Littlefish · 27/08/2009 21:32

How about something like Able and Cole, or Flights Orchard Organics - both deliver organic fruit/veg. Able & Cole is national, whereas Flights is local to where I live.

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Takver · 27/08/2009 21:35

Not sure whether EC is subscription only these days - it used to be on sale in Arjuna wholefood co-op in Cambridge many years ago, but recently I've only used their website

For small companies I'd suggest amongst others Eco-logic books, the Scythe Shop and Get Cutie

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MissisBoot · 27/08/2009 22:13

What about Dorset Cereals - they certainly market themselves as ethical so be interesting to see how they operate.

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Takver · 28/08/2009 08:14

Also Footprint workers co-op?

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HeliumBee · 29/08/2009 09:16

Phoenix cards - founded and run by women.

www.phoenix-trading.co.uk/web/corp/home/overview.do

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saintmaybe · 29/08/2009 10:18

Infinity Foods, based in Brighton?

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MrsMerryHenry · 30/08/2009 21:16

Infinity Foods! What a fabulous shop. Was thinking of popping down there this week, as a matter of fact.

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