"it effectively gives them a road map on how to structure their businesses in a way that forces them to think about the impact of their business on the community as they grow"Ed, the idea of corporate and ethical responsibility is nothing new. I'd turn that around a bit and aim it at customers as well. Local independents give back to this community in ways small and large more than you may realize. They have done positive things for society and the environment. And yet they are targeted for boycotting at the first whiff of daring to ask questions about almost anything. They are silenced (now called cancelled) and denigrated for nothing more than their concern over issues they know will impact them. Am I to believe this passes for appreciation? Because it seems to me a bit odd to support these behemoths for their efforts when, truth be told, you've really no clue what all the likes of Bank of England have been up to.Starbucks would be a brilliant example. Almost from the outset they claimed to be ethical. They may have even invented the concept. Yet despite all that they still had to close down globally for staff sensitivity training. And yet they flourish. Compare that to any local business asking a question about the cycle lane and, whamo, you have folks posting here and on social media that anyone asking a question (or worse, making a comment or criticism) should be tarred, feathered, chided and boycotted.The equation seems to be a business should support anything and everything even at their own expense. Why? Why is it important to you and your staff for work/life balance but a local business can't have the same by supporting specific issues important to them? Should they be punished for that? Should they be expected to continue to support the community in the face of local opposition? Isn't that opposition cutting off its nose to spite its face?Case in point: years ago someone came in and asked for a donation to their kids school. We had obliged many times, yet in that very moment in time felt a bit tapped out wondering when do the requests stop. When can/should we say no? So we responded with an apology saying we had made all of our commitments for that period - a common response when allocating charitable donations. This person stormed out saying they would never come back. Funny thing is, neither of us recognized them and knew they weren't a customer to begin with. But they went on to tar and feather us anyway. With friends like these, why bother giving back to the community?
David Lesniak ● 2006d