Corporate Activism: 3 ways business can be a force for good in the world
Every business, whether big or small is in a unique and powerful position to effect positive change in the world, both in society and in relation to the environment (2). In his book ‘The Green Grocer: One Man’s Manifesto for Corporate Activism’ Richard Walker explains the motivation for the steps he’s taken as Managing Director at Iceland Foods to make the company more eco-friendly. Walker identifies 3 significant ways businesses can become a vehicle for corporate activism.
1. Recognising interconnection
We are all interconnected with each other and with the natural world. Customers, employees, and suppliers all depend on each other. Walker argues that businesses should adopt a holistic approach to their activities, cultivating mutually beneficial relationships between consumers, their suppliers, employees, and the environment. If businesses were led by values of kindness and empathy with others, they would make better decisions, for the good of the whole, not just for the benefit of those set to profit from the exploitation of others and the earth’s resources. Businesses that recognise interconnection understand that their health depends on the health of everything around them, the environment, and all who they interact with.
2. Having courage
It's not easy standing up and doing things differently in a business, potentially going against the norms of an industry. That's why Walker identifies having courage as another essential component of corporate activism. Courage is important in three ways. Firstly courage is needed to really look at what you're doing and the impact that you're having in the world even if it’s negative. Seeing the world as it really is can be an uncomfortable experience. Sharon Blackie calls this stage ‘The Wasteland’. At this stage we need ‘to sweep aside the veil which prevents us from seeing the world as it is: to understand what is broken and what needs to change’ (1). Blackie explains that it is only by having the courage to face the wasteland that we can be called to action to effect positive change in the world.
Secondly, courage is needed in order to actually take action. It is easier not to do things than to try and potentially fail. It is especially brave to take positive action in a business where more might be at steak, than with your own personal resources. Making mistakes is an inevitable part of taking action and it takes courage to take action knowing that you might not always get it right.
Thirdly, courage is needed to hold the belief that things can change for the better, which inspires others to do the same. Action cannot be taken alone. By holding the belief that positive change can occur, you allow collective action to take place. As Walker states ‘once [collective] belief sets in, any mission is possible’ (2).
3. Collaboration over competition
The final aspect of corporate activism is the importance of collaboration over competition. Some issues are simply too large to be resolved by a single business, sometimes a whole industry needs to be on board to share information and resources. Walker talks about this in terms of his mission to reduce plastic waste at Iceland Foods and in the supermarket industry as a whole. As Walker states ‘we need to build coalition, not division’.
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“We need to take pride in the difference we can all make - and most importantly take action. That is how we will improve our world”
References
Blackie, S. 2016 If Women Rose Rooted: A life-changing journey to authenticity and belonging. Tewkesbury: September Publishing
Walker, R. 2021 The Green Grocer: One Man’s Manifesto for Corporate Activism. London: Dorling Kindersley Limited
